Drawing over 100,000 people across two weekends, Coachella began in 1999 as a pushback against skyrocketing concert prices. Founded by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen, it started as a rock-focused, anti-Woodstock alternative– affordable, safe, and music-first. Back in 2001, tickets were just $65, with headliners like Weezer and Fatboy Slim.
Since then, it’s grown into something much bigger. No longer a niche for rock fans and hippies, Coachella is now a full-scale cultural production, with tickets upwards of $499 and a guest list that includes celebrities, brands, influencers, and fashion’s elite. As we wrap up weekend one of Coachella 2026, let’s look at some of the standout moments from this year’s Coachella Valley Music Festival.
The choreography was just as varied; TikTok punchiness met belly dancing, vogue, and even a contemporary routine featuring Maddie Ziegler. Love her or not, Rae is clearly tapped into the pulse of pop culture– and maybe we’re just catching up.
One of the most coveted time slots, the Outdoor Theatre at sunset, went to sombr, who drew a massive crowd spilling across the grounds. Kicking off with “Homewrecker,” he moved through a set that leaned into his alternative roots before bringing out Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins for “1979.”
The collaboration felt effortless, bridging generations in a way that more young artists are embracing– think Olivia Rodrigo bringing out Robert Smith at Glastonbury. It’s a reminder that these moments don’t just celebrate influence, they introduce it to entirely new audiences.
Justin Bieber’s return to the Coachella main stage marked his first major live performance since cancelling his 2022 tour due to health issues. Fans went in with questions: would he lean into nostalgia or focus on new material?
The answer was both, delivered in the most unexpected way.
Bieber opted for a stripped-back, almost minimalist setup– a stark contrast to the high-production sets surrounding him. He opened with tracks from “SWAG I” and “SWAG II”, mirroring the intimate setlist from his Troubadour show earlier this month, before pausing to give a soft shoutout to his wife and son: “Hailey, babe, hallelujah. Baby Jack, hallelujah.”
Then came the shift.
Source: People
A laptop opened, Bieber launched into his biggest hits: “Beauty and a Beat,” “Sorry,” “One Less Lonely Girl” with his old YouTube videos playing behind him. In a moment that felt both meta and emotional, he harmonised with clips of his younger self, even revisiting early covers like Chris Brown’s “With You” and Ne-Yo’s “So Sick.”
It was experimental, nostalgic, and divisive. Some called it powerful performance art, a moment of healing for both Bieber and the fans who grew up with him. Others saw it as underwhelming, even lazy.
But regardless of where you land, one thing is undeniable: Bieber still has it. Selling out both weekends in just a few days, his pull remains unmatched. Nostalgia is a powerful thing, and heading into weekend two, it’s clear that Bieber fever is very, very real.
