Tyla performs during her Thursday afternoon set on the T-Mobile main stage for the first day of Lollapalooza on Aug. 1, 2024. Photo courtesy of Miranda McDonald
Roar to the sounds of the lion with a huge lion prop on stage. As the heart pounding background sounds of, Safer, Tyla in a very stunning brown and white outfit like that of a tiger with matching thigh high black boots climbed the stairs to the roars of the crowd. On the south end main T-Mobile stage. As Tyla very emphatically started her debut Lollapalooza performance as one of the most anticipated sets of day one of Lollapalooza 2024 and the 20th anniversary Chicago edition of the world-renowned music festival here in Grant Park.
Tyla’s performance did not disappoint at all either. As after singing a rousing great rendition of Safer, she then came downstairs to the main part of the stage. For a seamlessly dance-heavy edition of fan favorite record, On My Body. Where she was really able to show off her amazing dance moves as the very large crowd sang and danced along with Tyla. She would then ask fans to chant Ahh after she shouted Thata as she went into a very hot and heavy dance centered performance of ShaunMusiQ & Ftears, Thata Ahh, she’s featured on. Allowing her male dancers to show off their amazing dance moves in a circle and then finally by her too. Right before she said she had something special for Chicago. As she went into a very amazing performance of, On and On. Seamlessly right into a very artsy and creative performance of previous single, ART, while the crowd sang along.
Tyla would then slowed things down a little as she sat down and got the mic to go into a very amazingly stunning and beautiful performance of the emotionally moving, To Last. Then so seamlessly going into fan favorite, No. 1 and Truth or Dare. Right after that. Asking the crowd to yell out Dare every time after she said and sang, Truth.
Getting to the midway point of the performance Tyla would then shout out Chicago. Asking the crowd if it was alright if she let them how things get down in her hometown of South Africa. Going backstage while her male and female backup dancers came up to the front of the stage to show off all their amazing dance moves that originate from South Africa. For a good four to five minutes stretch right before going into Daliwonga’s single, Bana Ba, she’s featured. Also then joining her dancers to show off her own great dance moves again.
By the time we got to the latter end of her performance, Tyla, was once again at the top of the stage near the top of her tiger prop. As she did a very beautifully moving performance of another fan favorite record, Breathe Me. About midway through hilariously realizing she had lost her nose ring during the performance. Tyla would then go into a very energetic and fun performance of her most recent single, Jump. The crowd jumping and singing along with her. As she gave a few more shout outs to Chicago and Lollapalooza. Saying how much she loved them. The sounds of Tyla’s hit single, Water, would then start blaring out. As she sarcastically said, “I wonder what this can be!” The very large afternoon crowd so emphatically singing and dancing along with Tyla in the very hot and humid conditions. That was the perfect counter for such a hot, steamy and amazing performance. Which was easily one of the best debut Lollapalooza performances you will ever see and by far one of the best performances of the first day of this year’s Lollapalooza.