One of the best parts of working at Mr Vinyl is when our friends at record labels call on us to run vinyl stalls, merch setups, and pop-ups at live events. So, we were naturally thrilled to step in for Tyla’s Fan Appreciation Day at Gold Reef City on 16 August. Having previously run the merch stand for Tyla’s pop-up at Mall of Africa two years ago, we already knew firsthand just how electric, high-energy, and dedicated her fans — the Tygers — really are.
Arriving early in the morning, Gold Reef City was noticeably transformed. Bright pink signage pointed in every direction, signaling a total Tyla takeover of the theme park —complete with custom games, stalls, neon face-painting stations, photo booths, and a main stage. The DJs kept the vibe right all day, dropping fantastic Deep House sets (including some Stay True Sounds classics, which we’ll always celebrate).
By midday, the anticipation reached a fever pitch. At the first announcement that Tyla was approaching, eager Tygers rushed toward the stage. Moments later, a vehicle rolled through the fan area with Tyla sitting on top of the roof — and the sound of the crowd screaming was nothing short of deafening! After heading into a private section for meet-and-greets, she emerged to an absolute eruption from the crowd as she made her way to the stage.
Her initial appearance set the crowd on fire, hyping up dance competitions and local supporting acts before she took off on a celebratory march through the theme park. Later in the afternoon, she returned to the stage to perform an unforgettable set of fresh tracks from her new album, A*POP.
The sheer energy, love, and passion of Tyla’s fans are what make any of her appearances so special. We loved meeting Tygers from all walks of life, and it was a genuine privilege for the Mr Vinyl team to be a part of such an incredible day.
Mr Vinyl has official Tyla merchandise in stock: https://www.mrvinyl.co.za/tyla/
