Justin Bieber is set to headline the 2026 Coachella festival, marking his first major live performance since abandoning his 2022 tour due to health concerns. The Canadian singer was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which caused partial facial paralysis. He previously described the idea of touring as 'super daunting' but has been preparing for the festival, telling fans on Twitch: 'I'm putting on a hell of a show for you guys for Coachella.'
The annual music festival, held in California's Coachella Valley, will host approximately 125,000 attendees per day across two sold-out weekends. Bieber joins fellow headliners Sabrina Carpenter and Karol G, alongside artists including Moby, David Byrne, Addison Rae, The Strokes, Iggy Pop, and Labrinth. Tickets sold out in three days, a positive sign after 2024's edition saw the slowest sales to date.
Karol G will make history as Coachella's first Latina headliner. She recently addressed concerns about making political statements, saying she is 'willing to say ICE out' but must protect herself regarding her visa. Sabrina Carpenter, who performed at the festival in 2024, has promised her headlining set will be her 'most ambitious' show yet.
The festival will also feature a comeback performance from The xx, their first major festival in eight years, following a surprise show in Mexico City described as 'the start of a next chapter'. However, punk duo Lambrini Girls will not perform after guitarist Phoebe Lunny announced an acute brain injury, and Katseye member Manon remains on hiatus for health reasons.
Weather may pose a challenge, with possible rain after last year's near-record temperatures of 102°F (39°C) led to increased heat-related hospital visits. Earlier thunderstorm forecasts have been downgraded, but conditions will differ significantly from 2025.
