Bieber leaned on newer songs, laptop clips and a sparse stage, while fans expected more than 34 songs and more of his biggest hits.
On Saturday, Justin Bieber headlined Coachella in Indio, California, for his first-ever top-billed performance, but the stripped-back set drew immediate criticism from fans who felt his casual dress and minimalist staging lacked energy.
Bieber sold his pre-2022 music catalog to Hipgnosis Songs Capital for around $200 million in 2023, reducing financial incentive to perform classic hits; he instead focused heavily on newer material from Swag and Swag II.
The 32-year-old singer used a laptop displaying YouTube videos of his early career alongside live performances, while collaborators Carter Lang and Dylan Wiggins accompanied him with acoustic guitars on newer tracks.
Critics questioned whether the $10 million booking fee justified the performance, with one viewer alleging Bieber "scammed Coachella"; however, supporters praised the intimate experience, calling it meaningful for "Beliebers."
The appearance marked his first solo headline show since canceling his 2022 tour after experiencing full paralysis from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, signaling a significant recovery milestone for the artist's health journey.