Davido Debuts at Coachella 2026 as Wizkid and Tems Make Surprise Appearance With Justin Bieber
Davido made his Coachella debut on Saturday, April 11, stepping onto the Gobi Stage for a 45-minute set that had the crowd buzzing well into the night. The performance was years in the making. A scheduling conflict had prevented a planned appearance back in 2019, and the wait clearly built anticipation.
Opening with “Dami Duro,” the 33-year-old moved through a packed catalogue of hits backed by a live band and dancers. He performed “If,” “Skelewu,” “With You,” and “Fall,” which drew one of the loudest reactions of the evening. In a standout moment, he brought Adekunle Gold on stage for a medley that included “High,” sending the audience into a frenzy.
“I’m proud to be representing Africa at one of the biggest festivals in North America,” Davido said ahead of the set. “It’s my first time performing at Coachella, and I’m excited to bring the energy of Nigeria and Lagos to the global stage.”
He was the only Afrobeats artist with a dedicated slot on the official 2026 lineup, a reality that stands in contrast to recent editions that showcased a wider range of African talent.
Wizkid and Tems crash the party
While Davido held down the Gobi Stage, another wave of excitement was building on the main stage. Wizkid and Tems made an unannounced appearance alongside Justin Bieber, joining him for a surprise performance of the “Essence” remix. Bieber personally introduced Wizkid, triggering one of the loudest reactions of the weekend.
Neither artist had been listed on the official lineup. Their appearance quickly became one of the most replayed moments of the festival, dominating conversation online for days after.
The brunch after
On Sunday, Davido hosted a private Martell Afrobeats brunch at The Reserve at Polo Villas in La Quinta. Guests were treated to specialty cocktails and authentic African food from The Lifestyle Experiences Group. DJ ECool set the vibe poolside. Diplo, Major Lazer, and Martell Culture Ambassador Abdul-Karim Abdullah all showed up.
Davido, a Maison Martell ambassador since 2021, reflected on the performance. “You know when they say God’s time is the best? To be honest, I was very, very surprised,” he told VIBE. “I knew they were going to mess with me, but I didn’t think it was going to be that lit. I was very pleased with the energy I got yesterday. Everybody, the band was happy. The culture is just on the rise, man.”
The contrast between the scheduled set and the surprise appearances made for one of those festival nights where Afrobeats did not just show up. It took over, just in very different ways.
Sources: NotJustOk, VIBE, MP3Bullet, The Source, Getty Images
Written by
Folake Adeyemi
Culture writer covering Afrobeats, Nollywood, fashion, and Nigerian pop culture. Entertainment Editor at NaijaTrend.
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