Davido at the Coachella

  • Davido made his long-awaited debut at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with an energetic set that delivered on expectations.

  • Justin Bieber surprised fans by bringing out Wizkid and Tems for a live performance of Essence, creating one of the biggest moments of the festival.

  • The surprise appearance highlighted Afrobeats’ growing global dominance, while also sparking conversations about Davido’s stage placement as the only Nigerian artist on the 2026 lineup. He is set to return for the second weekend on April 18.

Davido performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival for the first time on Saturday, April 11, delivering a 45-minute set at the Gobi Stage in Indio, California.

The Nigerian superstar, Davido, stepped onto the stage during Weekend 1 of the festival’s 25th edition, commanding a packed crowd with a high-energy showcase of Afrobeats that reflected both his journey and his global reach.

Across a 16-track setlist, he moved seamlessly between eras, blending early classics with newer releases. From the opening moments, the crowd locked in, singing along to hits like Skelewu, If, Fall, and Gobe, turning the performance into something more than just a set, it felt like a shared cultural celebration.

He also tapped into his latest project, 5IVE, performing songs like UNAVAILABLE and FEEL!, a reminder that his sound continues to evolve even as his legacy grows.

One of the night’s biggest highlights came when he brought out Adekunle Gold for their collaboration HIGH, a moment that drew loud reactions and added another layer of connection between the artists and the audience.

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For a festival that has become a global cultural landmark, this wasn’t just another performance. It was Davido’s first official appearance as a billed act on that stage.

Long overdue, no doubt. Significant, definitely and still, a moment that leaves room for conversation.

Just when things were settling, the night took another turn. Justin Bieber, one of the main headliners, came on stage for his set… and in the middle of it, he did what felt natural in that moment.

He brought out Wizkid. Then Tems. No announcement. No warning. Nobody saw it coming. The crowd? Instant explosion. Screaming, phones in the air, pure excitement. And it made sense because this wasn’t random.

Recall that Justin Bieber had jumped on Essence, the global hit from Wizkid and Tems. So, seeing all three of them perform it live on a stage that big, it hit differently. It felt complete.

More than anything, it showed how far Afrobeats has traveled. From local streets to global stages, from Lagos to festivals like Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the sound is no longer knocking on the door, it’s already inside.

This isn’t the first time. Artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and even Mr Eazi have graced that stage in past editions, each performance pushing the culture further.

Davido’s own performance this year was energetic and lived up to expectations.

However, the contrast in the overall setup didn’t go unnoticed. Especially considering he was the only Nigerian artist with a dedicated slot on the 2026 lineup, it felt like a step down in representation compared to previous years.

The conversation around his placement on the smallest stage has been hard to ignore. Still, the story isn’t over. He returns for the second weekend, scheduled to perform again on Saturday, April 18.

Davido performing at the Coachella 2026

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