The first weekend of the long-awaited 2026 Coachella festival has now come and gone, with the second weekender just around the corner before the Californian festival comes to an end this Sunday (19 April).
Weekend one, which spanned last Friday to Sunday (10-12 April), featured headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G.
Carpenter received the Friday night slot while Bieber nabbed the coveted Saturday night performance, but some fans have taken issue with the latter's Coachella set over a 'diabolical' issue.
Now, 32-year-old 'YUKON' singer Bieber opted for a way more stripped-back show, which saw him play a series of YouTube videos from his laptop to the crowd, singing along to music videos of his older songs like 'Baby' and 'Beauty and a Beat', reportedly earning him an eye-watering $10 million.
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He’s got one more headlining set next Saturday (18 April) with Carpenter set to headline again next Friday (17 April).
The meme-filled performance saw Bieber go for minimal production, low-key stage design, no backup dancers and no outfit changes - a stark contrast to the 26-year-old 'Espresso' star's very full-on theatrical performance, which featured multiple outfit changes, OTT set designs, acting cameos from Hollywood A-listers Sam Elliott, Susan Sarandon and Will Ferrell, as well as a bunch of backup dancers.
Some critics have taken to social media to call out 'sexism' within the industry, with many wondering if a female music artist would be 'allowed' to produce such a 'mediocre' headline show.
One person claimed: "Female artists give full effort: flying, high notes, fireworks, outfits. Meanwhile, Justin Bieber, the most expensive Coachella performer, just sits in a plain tee, plays YouTube, no makeup, and still gets a pass? Switch the roles, and a woman would get dragged immediately."
A second seethed: "Fans defending Justin Bieber’s mediocre Coachella performance, saying he’s 32 and it’s normal not to have the same energy anymore. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga at 36," sharing a clip of the singer's high-energy Coachella headlining performance from 2025.
"Justin Bieber playing songs from his laptop on stage while Sabrina Carpenter delivered multiple outfit changes, visuals, choreography and vocals. These pictures speak louder than words," hit out a third.
A fourth piped up: "At least the girls showed up for Coachella!!"
"Coachella wrong for putting Justin Bieber on Saturday, can you imagine having to perform after Sabrina Carpenter???" penned another.
And a final social media user echoed: "If a Bieber stan even tries to speak on Sabrina ever again… putting him the night after her was diabolical of Coachella."
Not everyone agreed, however, as one Belieber defended: "A lot of people are calling it low energy or underwhelming. But for me, it felt like the healthiest kind of comeback for Justino. He did not force a high-production machine that could burn him out again. Instead, he sat with his past, scrolling through old YouTube videos, dueting with his younger self, and mixing nostalgia with new chapters."
"That takes real courage when fame once broke so many pieces of you," they continued. "It is a quiet reminder that healing is not always loud or flashy. Sometimes it is choosing peace, family, and honest storytelling over what the crowd expects. I am happy for Justin."
Another added: "Justin’s performance at Coachella was so much more than just music; it was a full circle moment of healing. Watching him embrace his past and acknowledge that he finally has everything he ever wished for moved me to tears. I am so incredibly proud of his journey and the person."
Well, until we see a female artist deliver what's considered a sub-par and totally lacklustre headline performance at Coachella, I guess we'll never know if they'll receive the same treatment as their male counterpart.
Tyla has reached out to Coachella and Justin Bieber's representatives for comment.
Topics: Sabrina Carpenter, Celebrity, Coachella, Festivals, Music, Justin Bieber, Social Media
Rhiannon Ingle