Justin Bieber Unbothered by Mixed Reviews of Low-Key Coachella Performance: 'He Wanted to Do It His Way'

Published April 15, 2026

Justin Bieber received a variety of responses following his much-anticipated return to Coachella.

On Saturday, April 11, the 32-year-old "Daisies" singer headlined the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival for the first time, delivering a stripped-down set featuring tracks from his recent albums SWAG and SWAG II, alongside popular songs spanning his career.

Although some attendees described his show as "low energy" and likened it to karaoke, a source close to Bieber told PEOPLE that the Grammy-winning artist is unfazed by such feedback.

"He felt great about the set. He was excited to reconnect with fans in a way that felt true to where he is now," the source shared. "He's not focused on how it's being labeled. He wanted to show up and do it his way. And that's exactly what he did. He's happy with how it turned out."

Bieber's wife, Hailey Bieber, was present at the performance, and the source mentioned that the couple remained in the Palm Springs area throughout the weekend, balancing professional obligations with relaxation and spending time with friends.

"It was a big weekend for both of them," the source noted. "Hailey hosted several Rhode-related events, including an exclusive pop-up. They really made the most of it though. They were able to support each other and also focus on their own projects. It was a mix of work, time with friends and just enjoying the weekend together."