Justin Bieber’s Coachella Performance Labeled “Lazy” by Critics

Justin Bieber’s first time headlining Coachella drew mixed reactions on Saturday, April 11, as fans and critics debated a performance that began unusually and ended with a more traditional concert set.

The 90-minute show opened in a way that quickly became the focus of online criticism. For roughly the first hour, Bieber sat in front of a laptop and played clips of his early YouTube videos, occasionally reacting to live comments. Some viewers described the segment as low-energy and questioned whether it was appropriate for a major festival headliner, especially given reports of a $10 million payday for the two-weekend run. Social media posts characterized the opening as “lazy” or “sleepy,” with some users suggesting the audience expected a live performance rather than a retrospective viewing session.

The tone of the show shifted in its later portion. Bieber moved into a more conventional set that covered much of his catalog, performing around 25 songs. Several guest artists joined him on stage, including Wizkid and Tems for “Essence,” and The Kid LAROI for “Stay.” He also brought out Dijon and Mk.gee for collaborations on newer material such as “Devotion” and “Daisies.”

Bieber included songs from his recent projects, SWAG and SWAG II, including “All I Can Take” and “Speed Demon.” He also addressed his personal life during the performance, mentioning his wife, Hailey Bieber, and their young son during “Everything Hallelujah.”

The set marked Bieber’s return to a major live stage following a hiatus linked to Ramsay Hunt syndrome in 2022. While early reactions focused heavily on the unconventional opening, some attendees and commentators defended the show as a reflective look at his career, noting the symbolic link between his early YouTube beginnings and his current status as a global pop star.

The performance was livestreamed on Coachella’s official YouTube channel, where clips of the opening segment have continued to circulate online, fueling ongoing discussion about the balance between artistic experimentation and audience expectations at large-scale music festivals.