Justin Bieber’s Minimalist Coachella Return Splits Opinion

Overview

• Bieber headlined Coachella for about 125,000 people with a stripped-down set centered on a laptop and YouTube clips, often seated and singing over his own tracks.
• Rolling Stone and The Guardian criticized the show as underwhelming for a marquee slot that carries outsized expectations.
• Other reporting, notably from Brazil’s O Globo, highlighted strong vocals, an emotional arc, and a well-built setlist that revisited early hits.
• The final stretch moved from solo nostalgia to live guests, with Dijon, Tems, Wizkid and guitarist Mk.gee joining for closing numbers.
• Reactions online revived a wider discussion of double standards, as users contrasted Bieber’s low-frills approach with highly produced sets by women such as Sabrina Carpenter.