Swae Lee’s Disappointing Coachella Performance
Fans of rapper Swae Lee were left stunned and upset during the first night of Coachella when the artist was abruptly cut off mid-performance on the Sahara Stage. Known for his energetic and powerful shows, Lee’s set was interrupted before he could deliver some of his most popular tracks, leaving many fans disappointed.
Swae Lee, 32, took to social media to express his apologies and assure fans that his performance next week would be better. “We rocking out next week! I’m sorry yall,” he wrote, promising a more complete show. However, the incident raised questions about the festival’s management and how such issues are handled.
The power outage during Lee’s set prevented him from performing several fan-favorite songs, including “Black Beatles” and “This Could Be Us.” According to reports, Lee was frustrated by the situation and even begged behind-the-scenes managers to let him finish his set, but it was too late. He eventually walked off the stage, leaving a crowd of disappointed fans who took to social media to voice their frustrations.
One fan wrote on X: “Swae Lee and fans were NOT happy after he got CUT OFF at Coachella before performing ‘This Could Be Us’ & ‘Black Beatles’ after going over his set time.” Another added: “they just cut swae lee off before he got to sing black beatles….” A third fan echoed similar sentiments, saying: “Coachella cut off swae lee before hopeless romantic and black Beatles????? For sexy mf red??????????? Refund the people.”
Despite this setback, the rest of the festival continued with its lineup of big-name artists. The 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will take place over two weekends in Indio, California. Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G are headlining the event, which promises to bring together a diverse range of performers across multiple genres.
Other notable acts include electronic act Anyma, Young Thug, Turnstile, David Byrne, FKA twigs, Addison Rae, and Ethel Cain. Legacy artists Iggy Pop, Moby, and Devo will also perform, while Radiohead is set to make a mysterious appearance under the title “The Bunker Debut of Kid A Mnesia.”
Justin Bieber’s Big Move at Coachella
Justin Bieber’s appearance at Coachella marks a significant milestone in his career. This will be the first time the singer has officially headlined the festival, despite making surprise appearances during other artists’ sets in the past. His most recent live performance was at the 2026 Grammys, and his last full concert took place at a private Roxy Theatre show in March.
Bieber has not headlined a major tour since canceling his Justice World Tour due to health issues. However, his performance at Coachella is expected to be a major success. According to reports, the singer was paid over $10 million for his set, making him the highest-paid artist at the festival ever. This deal was negotiated directly with promoter Goldenvoice, without the involvement of an agent.
An insider told Rolling Stone that this move is a significant step for Bieber, who has taken control of his career in recent years. “It’s a groundbreaking move for a headliner, and it’s something he built entirely on his own,” the source said. “Between headlining Coachella and the success of Swag, it’s clear this is the start of an exciting new era for Justin – one where he’s fully in the driver’s seat.”
Other Headliners and Excitement for the Festival
Sabrina Carpenter previously performed at Coachella in 2024, with her then-boyfriend Barry Keoghan cheering her on from the VIP section. She has teased that her upcoming performance will be “the most ambitious show I’ve ever done,” according to a recent interview with Perfect magazine.
For Karol G, this will be a long-awaited return to the festival. The Colombian superstar made her Coachella debut in 2022, and this year’s performance will mark her first major set following the release of her new album Tropicoqueta in June. This makes her the first Latina artist to headline the iconic Coachella stage.
The festival is also set to welcome back The xx and The Strokes, both of whom are making a comeback to the Coachella lineup. Prices for weekend passes range from $549 to $1,299, offering fans a chance to experience the world’s most renowned music festival.
