Justin Bieber Coachella buzz sparks Airbnb price rows
Festival-goers heading to Coachella in Indio, California, have reported soaring accommodation costs and alleged last-minute rental cancellations as anticipation builds around Justin Bieber’s return to the stage. The issues are fuelling complaints of price gouging in the run-up to the festival’s two weekends, with some attendees saying they have been forced to scramble for alternative stays at significantly higher rates.
The Sun reported that an Airbnb listing offering a “laundry room” as a place to sleep was advertised for about $1,381 for three days before being removed.
The report said an insider claimed Coachella’s 25th anniversary edition had attracted intense demand, with tickets said to have sold out in 45 minutes, while prices for industry-linked artist guest passes had also risen. Influencers also shared examples of what they described as questionable listings and booking problems, including screenshots of accommodations being cancelled close to the event date.
Airbnb said it was not seeing a “notable uptick” in cancellations for the Coachella weekends and described deterrents aimed at preventing hosts cancelling and re-listing at higher prices, while offering 24/7 guest support. The accommodation complaints come as attention remains high on Bieber’s planned performances, following reports and fan chatter about what he might play, including coverage of a leaked Coachella setlist that divided fans.
With the festival drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees across both weekends, organisers and accommodation platforms face renewed scrutiny over affordability and reliability, particularly as headline acts drive spikes in travel demand and last-minute booking pressure.
