On April 11 of Coachella 2026, people were united. Fans from all over the world watched as pop legend Justin Bieber returned to the big stage. I watched from home as Bieber performed his iconic “That should be me.”
Although I don’t consider myself an extreme Justin fan, I—along with many others—got hit with a sense of nostalgia when the artist opened up YouTube on his laptop and performed some of his most iconic songs from early in his career. These songs included top hits like “Baby” and “That Should Be Me,” with many describing the performances as a heartfelt full-circle moment where Bieber performed for his younger self. Bieber’s performance of “Beauty and the Beat” was memorable, as I noticed a significant voice change from his current, more mature sound to his youthful chords.
However, rather than aiming for the flashy performance factor that Coachella is typically known for, Bieber simply had his laptop, a microphone and crowd-favorite throwback songs. This choice received some controversy, with some criticizing the artist’s laziness and lack of effort for a $10 million concert. Meanwhile, others praised the intimate vibe of the show—similar to sitting in a room with your friend and listening to music together.
Initially, I found no problem with Bieber’s overall performance, as the nostalgia factor to me was the most important aspect. Not every performance has to have a fancy stage design and 50 different costume changes to be memorable. Bieber aimed for something different—something that connected with people, which is what music should truly be all about.
However, following a particular edit I saw on TikTok, my mind changed. The edit compared Bieber’s seemingly simplistic performance to Sabrina Carpenter’s. The artist headlined Coachella, aiming for a “Sabrinawood” theme that centered around the Hollywood Hills. Her performances consisted of high-production staging, like an on-stage waterfall, vintage car and even backup dancers dressed as Dalmatian dogs. When some performers are putting in their all, why is it that other performers can get away with the bare minimum?
The point is, nostalgia can only go so far. Bieber’s performance was genuine, and I respect that, but Coachella is not your chill local gig. It is one of the biggest stages in music, and fans are paying for a unique experience. Showing up with a laptop doesn’t feel like artistic minimalism but more like a lack of preparation and effort.
That is not to say every performance needs to be a perfectly choreographed piece; however, there is a middle ground between a $10 million production and a YouTube playlist. Bieber has the talent, the catalog and the fanbase to deliver something that is nostalgic and appropriate for the magnitude of the occasion. This time, he only delivered one of the two.
Music connects people, and Bieber did that. But connection ultimately should not come at the cost of effort, and frankly, I was disappointed by his performance at this year’s Coachella.
