Justin Bieber's Coachella Set Stuns Lizzo, Confuses Zara Larsson
Justin Bieber's Coachella Set Stuns Lizzo, Confuses Zara Larsson
Bieber's return headlines Coachella weekend one, drawing praise from Lizzo and Labrinth and mixed reactions from Zara Larsson and Katy Perry.
Coachella's first weekend delivered one of the festival's most talked-about moments as Justin Bieber headlined for the first time in four years. The comeback performance drew cheers from some peers and puzzled reactions from others, turning the set into a conversation starter long after the final notes faded. The night featured a mix of new material from his latest releases and beloved hits from his catalog, all delivered with the showmanship fans have come to expect at festival main-stage moments.
Lizzo was among the loudest supporters, saying Bieber offered the world a window into his life as it has evolved and insisting his work felt like a journey that will be uncomfortable for some, but ultimately rewarding for those who stay along for the ride. Labrinth echoed the sentiment online, praising Bieber while urging critics to stay true to themselves and ignore the noise.
Not everyone walked away with the same read. Zara Larsson shared clips from the set on TikTok, joking that parts of the performance felt like “let’s smoke and watch YouTube,” and laughing at a moment that featured Bieber revisiting paparazzi-inspired footage, including a famous throwback clip that sparked a mix of disbelief and amusement. Katy Perry joined the chorus of on-site commentary as the set moved through its pacing and presentation.
The musical approach leaned into minimal guitar work at times, with Bieber steering the show toward a blend of new material from his SWAG-era projects and familiar hits. At moments, he cued up viral videos and playful moments, including the famous “double rainbow” clip, turning the stage into a multimedia collage that sparked both conversation and curiosity among fans and critics alike.
As the night unfolded, the conversations extended beyond the stage. Some described the performance as a bold reinvention, others as a bold misfire, but few denied the spectacle and ambition. The reception underscored Bieber’s willingness to experiment with his artistry on one of music’s biggest stages, a risk that amplified the festival’s electric atmosphere and kept people talking well after the final encore faded.
