Tidal Rave 2025 Thrills Accra as “The Wild Card” Edition Blends Music, Culture and Controversy

The 2025 Tidal Rave Festival, held November 14–15 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, delivered high-energy performances, surprise moments and cultural expression, even as debates over indecent dressing and artist treatment stirred mixed reactions from patrons.

Africa’s biggest beach festival, Tidal Rave, returned for its 2025 edition with a bold theme — “The Wild Card” — transforming the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra into a vibrant hub of music, fashion and youth culture. The two-day event attracted thousands of revelers who came for the electrifying performances, beachfront vibes and immersive stage experiences that have come to define the festival.

This year’s lineup brought together some of the continent’s most influential voices in Afrobeats, highlife and electronic music. Ayra Starr, Black Sherif, Gyakie, Moliy and others lit up the Culture and Rave stages with energetic sets. A major highlight was Shatta Wale’s surprise appearance, which sent the crowd into a frenzy as he not only performed but also gifted brand-new phones to ecstatic fans.

Supporting acts, including GonaBoy, Darko Vibes, Olive The Boy and Kweku Smoke, kept the momentum high, showcasing the diversity and evolving energy of Ghana’s music scene.

But the celebration did not come without criticism. Some attendees and social commentators raised concerns about indecent dressing, while others questioned the treatment of certain artists, sparking online debates about standards, professionalism and the evolving nature of youth entertainment spaces in Ghana.

Despite the mixed reviews, Tidal Rave 2025 reaffirmed its position as a cultural powerhouse, continually shaping conversations about identity, creativity and freedom of expression among Ghanaian youth. With its blend of music, fashion and community, the festival once again cemented its status as a trend-setting event in Africa’s entertainment landscape.

Written By Bernard Nii Ade Quaye | Rays of Hope Radio