South Africa’s global sensation Tyla is set to make history this weekend with her debut performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, but fans hoping to catch her live in California may need deep pockets — and a whole lot of luck.
The Grammy-winning Water hitmaker will take the stage at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, kicking off one of the world’s most prestigious festivals. Sharing the spotlight with heavyweights like Lady Gaga, Travis Scott, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, Charli XCX, Missy Elliott, and Blackpink’s Lisa and Jennie, Tyla’s inclusion in this elite lineup marks a huge milestone not only for her career but also for the African continent.
Set across two weekends — April 11-13 and April 18-20 — the desert festival boasts more than 144 artists, over 125,000 attendees daily, and millions watching via global livestreams. But attending in person? That’s a whole other story.
Standard general admission tickets, originally priced at $399 (R7,753), sold out almost instantly. Now, desperate fans are turning to ticket resale platforms like Vivid Seats, where prices for Friday’s entry — which includes Tyla’s set — have skyrocketed to $1,151 (R22,366) per person. And that’s just for basic general access — VIP passes are going for even more.
Despite the price surge, the demand remains high. As the first South African solo artist in decades to make such a global splash, Tyla continues to break boundaries with her unique “popiano” sound, blending pop and Amapiano influences.
She will be repping Mzansi in style, alongside fellow African stars Rema and Seun Kuti from Nigeria, and Ghanaian-American singer Amaarae.
So if you’re lucky — and financially fearless — catching Tyla live at Coachella could be an unforgettable experience.
