1. New Record Set For Most Branded Merch Sold At Coachella Based on all the records he has broken this year, Justin Bieber may be more aptly named Mr. Coachella. The pop star has become the highest-paid artist in the music festival’s history ($10 million). The money was worth it, as his name on the marquee drew the highest-ever ticket demand, and his performance was the most-searched in Coachella history, according to Vogue Business. But above all else, Bieber sold more branded merchandise over both weekends of Coachella this year than any other performer has in the history of the event. His fashion and lifestyle brand SKYLRK sold $15 million worth of branded merch, the brand confirmed exclusively to the magazine. Is Bieber Fever still swarming the country more than 15 years after “Baby” took over the radio? Yes, but the Grammy Award winner is also incredibly business-savvy, adding a brand activation – “SKYLRK Oasis” – for selling merch alongside the artist merch tent. The goal was to produce merch that is of higher quality and has a more distinct brand identity, SKYLRK told Vogue Business. Among the items available were lime green sweatshirts emblazoned with the pop vocalist’s famous “It’s Not Clocking” phrase, a tank of Bieber flipping the bird and a T-shirt reading “Justin Bieber Live” above a graphic of his wife, Hailey Bieber. Jack Fordyce / Shutterstock 58 • NOVEMBER 2026 • Community | Buzzworthy Mic Drop Justin Bieber and the Buffalo Sabres turned branded merch into must-have memorabilia – and fans were willing to pay up. Compiled by John Corrigan & Jonny Auping
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