Justin Bieber Skips Full Old Hits at Coachella, Source Denies Music Rights Theory

Why Justin Bieber Didn’t Perform Full Versions of His Old Songs at Coachella?

The Coachella performance this year by Justin Bieber sparked widespread debate after fans noticed he didn’t perform his classic hits in full. The pop star, who hadn’t appeared on a major stage since Rock in Rio 2022, delivered a set largely centred on his recent SWAG-era material while still acknowledging older fan favourites in an unconventional way.

During the show, Bieber incorporated snippets of iconic tracks like “Baby,” “All That Matters,” and “Sorry,” playing their music videos on a large screen while singing along briefly instead of performing full renditions. The creative choice left some viewers puzzled and fueled online speculation.

A viral social media post claimed the decision was tied to Bieber’s 2023 deal selling parts of his music catalog to Hipgnosis Songs. The theory suggested he avoided full performances to bypass licensing complications and royalties tied to his former label.

However, a source close to the deal dismissed the claim, calling it “nonsense” in comments to Billboard. According to the source, selling music rights – whether masters, publishing, or royalties – does not limit an artist’s ability to perform their own songs live.

Industry insiders suggest the real reason was artistic direction. Bieber’s set was designed to highlight his newer work, and performing older tracks in full may have disrupted the flow. Instead, the brief throwbacks allowed him to balance nostalgia with his current musical identity.

The performance ultimately blended past and present. He even packed a surprise for fans when he called Billie Eilish on stage to join him for “One Less Lonely Girl”, sparking a fire on the internet.

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