Fans of Swae Lee experienced a rocky start to Coachella’s first night when the rapper’s performance was unexpectedly cut short on the Sahara Stage.
Enthusiastic supporters, affectionately referring to the festival as ‘Swaechella,’ were taken aback and disappointed when Lee’s show came to an abrupt halt. It seemed that was all they would see from him that evening, as reported by TMZ.
The 32-year-old artist turned to social media platform X to express his apologies, assuring fans of a better experience in the coming week.
“We rocking out next week! I’m sorry y’all,” promised the performer known for his hit “Won’t Be Late.”
Lee’s dynamic set included several tracks from his album “Same Difference,” but power issues prevented him from delivering some of his other popular songs, according to reports.
The rapper, not alone in facing disruptions that night, was visibly frustrated by the sudden change. He reportedly pleaded with event organizers to allow performances of “Black Beatles” and “This Could Be Us,” but the request was denied as his scheduled time had expired.
Coachella Night 1 got off to a bumpy start for Swae Lee fans when the rapper was cut off halfway through a song on the Sahara Stage
The 32-year-old rap artist later took to X to say how sorry he was and to let people know next week would be better,’We rocking out next week ! I’m sorry yall’
Lee eventually walked off the stage, leaving a mass of disappointed fans, many of whom took their complaints to social media.
‘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,’ one disgruntled fan wrote on X.
Another responded by writing, ‘they just cut swae lee off bfore he got to sing black beatles….’
And a third echoed, ‘Coachella cut off swae lee before hopeless romantic and black Beatles????? For sexy mf red??????????? Refund the people.’
The 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will light up the desert in Indio, California, over two weekends.
Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G are headlining the highly anticipated event.
They’ll be joined by an eclectic roster that spans genres and generations, including electronic act Anyma, Young Thug, Turnstile, David Byrne, FKA twigs, Addison Rae and Ethel Cain.
Legacy artists Iggy Pop, Moby, and Devo also earned spots on the packed schedule, while Radiohead appeared under a mysterious note teasing The Bunker Debut of Kid A Mnesia.
Lee reportedly went over his allotted time and the lights went off before he could sing some of his other fan-favorite tunes
The hitmaker (pictured performing on Friday with Rich the Kid) reportedly ‘begged’ behind-the-scenes managers to let him perform Black Beatles and This Could Be Us, but it was a no-go
Lee eventually walked off the stage, leaving a mass of disappointed fans
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’
The xx and The Strokes are both making a comeback to the festival.
The booking marks a major milestone for Bieber as he has never officially been billed at the festival, despite making surprise cameos during Ariana Grande, Daniel Caesar, Chance the Rapper, Tems and Wizkid’s sets.
Bieber’s most recent live performance was at the 2026 Grammys on February 1, while his last full concert took place at a private Roxy Theatre show on March 29.
The Baby hitmaker hasn’t headlined a major tour since canceling his 49-date Justice World Tour after coming down with Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
In agreeing to perform at the Southern California-based festival, the two-time Grammy-winner was paid more than $10 million – surpassing musical icons Beyonce and Lady Gaga as the festival’s highest-compensated artist ever.
An insider told Rolling Stone that Bieber worked out his record Coachella payday directly with promoter Goldenvoice without the use of an agent.
‘It’s a groundbreaking move for a headliner, and it’s something he built entirely on his own,’ an insider close to the Daisies artist – who shares son Jack, one, with supermodel wife Hailey Bieber, 28 – told the outlet.
The source added, ‘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.’
Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G are headlining the highly anticipated event; Carpenter pictured in 2024
The booking marks a major milestone for Bieber as he has never officially been billed at the festival; Bieber pictured in 2022
Colombian superstar Karol G made her Coachella debut in 2022, but this will be her first major set behind her new album Tropicoqueta, released in June; Seen performing in 2024
Prices for weekend passes ran from $549 to $1,299
Carpenter previously performed at Coachella in 2024, as her then-boyfriend Barry Keoghan cheered her on from the VIP section. She teased that her new Coachella performance will be ‘the most ambitious show I’ve ever done’ in a recent interview with Perfect magazine.
For Karol G, it’s a long-awaited return. The Colombian superstar made her Coachella debut in 2022, but this will be her first major set behind her new album Tropicoqueta, released in June.
The milestone makes her the first Latina artist to lead the iconic Coachella stage.
Prices for weekend passes at this year’s event ran from $549 to $1,299.
The headliners for last year’s Coachella were Lana Del Rey, Tyler, the Creator, and Doja Cat.
