Brixton O2 Academy came alive, last week, as Tyla’s A*POP Tour arrived in London for two sold-out nights. Bringing the world of her sophomore album, A*POP, to the stage, the show offered a vibrant showcase of Tyla’s star power, translating the album’s bold aesthetic and genre-blurring sound into an immersive live experience.

It was the closing show that Friday. Anticipation filled the venue as the lights went down and the show began. Tyla emerged alongside her dancers, embracing the album’s neon aesthetic in a series of Y2K-inspired looks featuring fluorescent lime green, hot pink and vivid orange hot pants, paired with matching fluorescent heels that glowed beneath the saturated blue stage lighting. 

Across the almost 90-minute performance, Tyla demonstrated the range of her artistry and the evolution of her sound. Since releasing her debut single, “Getting Late”, she has developed a musical identity that extends beyond conventional pop, drawing on amapiano, R&B, and contemporary pop to create a sound that feels distinctly her own. Onstage, these influences came together in a performance that highlighted not only her versatility but also her ability to translate that identity into a compelling live show.

The setlist maintained a strong sense of momentum, moving from “That Girl” through to the closing number, “Shake Ahh”, while bringing together material from A*POP and her debut album. “Water” proved to be a particular highlight, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Tyla seemed to recognise the moment's significance, acknowledging the audience’s enthusiasm and declaring, “This is the best energy of the tour so far.” The exchange captured the performance's reciprocal nature, with the crowd becoming an active part of the spectacle rather than simply watching from the sidelines.

The inclusion of “Thata Ahh” and “Bana Ba” added another dimension to the setlist, showing off Tyla’s connection to amapiano and the South African musical influences that continue to shape her sound. Meanwhile, “Chanel” offered another opportunity to showcase the confident, playful persona that has become central to her artistry. 

Altogether, the show brought the music to life, giving it a different character as strong vocals, dynamic staging, choreography, and the room's collective energy enhanced its rhythms and hooks.

Watching the show felt like a real moment for this writer and many others. For the parents and young fans who got to see it, it felt like witnessing the next generation of what an African pop star looks like — and how much her artistry is impacting pop music continentally — as something that feels unique and special in its own way.

Cover Credit: Shotbyrimaz

‍