On Sunday, April 14th, the first weekend of the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival wound to a close at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California. As ever, the sprawling desert playground delivered its usual dust-stirring, genre-crossing spectacle; equal parts a fashion pilgrimage, cultural zeitgeist, and performance showcase.
But this year, the titan in the world of music festivals offered something quietly radical beneath the lights and lasers: Africa’s pulses.
With a lineup that spans two weekends, April 11–13 and 18–20, the festival has stayed true to its kaleidoscopic ethos. Headliners like Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, and Travis Scott draw the biggest fonts on the bill, but nestled within are the names shaking global tables and continental charts alike. From the rich horns and energy of Seun Kuti, the ancestral fire of Egypt 80 behind him, to the candy-coated chaos of Tyla, to the sultriness of Amaarae, and the evergreen pop audacity of Rema, this year’s Coachella doesn’t lean into them all.
And it’s not tokenism. It’s timing. It’s the reality that Afropop, Alté, and new-school Afro-fusion are no longer fringe or ’emerging’, they are here, disruptive and deliberate. Their sets? We’ll get into that. But know this, their inclusion wasn’t just a win for visibility; it was a show of African music’s viability. These are artists the crowd came to see, not just discover.
Amaarae
Amaarae made her Coachella debut on Sunday, April 13th, at the Gobi Stage, arriving in a Hummer H2 emblazoned with ‘BLACK STAR’—the title of her forthcoming third studio album. Styled by Aaron Christmon and Marquise Miller, she paid homage to her Ghanaian roots, and putting the crowd on the music o La Même Gang, Eazzy, Yaw Tog, Joey B, and the Asakaa Boys. Notably, she made history as the first Ghanaian-born female artist to perform a solo billed set at the festival. A highlight of her performance was when she shaved her wig on stage, symbolising the bold new era of a BLACK STAR.
Tyla
Tyla took to the Outdoor Theatre Stage on Friday, April 11th, delivering a performance that blended beauty, elegance, and vocals. She stunned in a Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2000 bra and fringe belt, performing her hit “Push 2 Start” and a mashup of “On and On” with Aaliyah’s “Rock the Boat.” Her signature “Tyla Dance” captivated the audience, marking a triumphant debut at the festival.
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 opened their set on the Outdoor Theatre Stage on Friday, April 11th, with a fiery tribute to Fela Kuti’s “Everything Scatter.” This performance marked Seun Kuti’s third appearance at Coachella, solidifying his status as the Nigerian artist with the most performances at the festival. His set was a powerful blend of Afrobeat rhythms and political messaging, thrilling fans and honoring his father’s legacy.
Rema
Rema’s Coachella debut was, in many ways, a dramatic cocktail of anticipation, disruption, and recovery. Slated for a 45-minute set at the Mojave Tent, the Nigerian superstar didn’t appear on stage until nearly 30 minutes in, leaving the crowd to navigate an extended DJ warmup that wore thin by the minute. When he finally emerged, his opening songs were marred by awkward lip-syncing, his mic often nowhere near his mouth while vocals boomed through the speakers. But just as murmurs turned to groans, the energy shifted: the backing track cut, the live band found its footing, and Rema leaned into his strengths, leading the crowd through spirited performances of “Calm Down”, Darkoo’s “Favourite Girl”, and his 2025 releases.
However, beyond the headliners, Coachella’s strength as a festival lies in its diverse lineup, showcasing emerging talents and established artists from various corners of the world. And just like past festivals, the 2025 Coachella has kicked off with an event that promises an eclectic mix of performances, art installations, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Next weekend, the second leg of the festival resumes. But for now, let’s sit with what we’ve witnessed so far. African artists are taking up space and setting their own stage.
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