Diljit Dosanjh turns Spark Arena into a Punjabi pop paradise
With bhangra, beats and boundless energy, the biggest Indian popstar on the planet served Auckland a joyous ode to Punjabi pride and pop perfection.
Few South Asian artists have crossed into the global mainstream like actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh — calling him the biggest Indian popstar is no exaggeration.
On a breezy Thursday night, Auckland's Spark Arena pulsed with energy — a sea of white turbans in signature Diljit Dosanjh flair, gleaming under the lights as fans young and old cheered for the artist who's taken Punjabi music global.
This was Dosanjh's second Auckland outing after his 2023 full-house Born to Shine tour, and the anticipation was electric.
Blessen Tom
After all, this is an artist who doesn't just play to packed houses — he makes history.
In 2023, he became the first Punjabi artist to perform at Coachella, and earlier in Australia, he shattered records with the biggest-ever tour by an Indian artist, selling more than 90,000 tickets across six cities.
Now, his 2025 Aura Tour has him selling out stadiums across Australia — another first for an Indian performer.
At Auckland's Spark Arena, Dosanjh made an entrance that was pure cinema.
A short film played across giant screens — scenes of India — narrated by his voiceover, ending with the line: "An icon whose aura shines across the world, the unstoppable Diljit Dosanjh".
Moments later, the stage cracked open, smoke swirled, and Dosanjh rose, launching into 'Born to Shine'.
Wearing his trademark kurta-tamba ensemble paired with a perfectly tied turban, Dosanjh looked every bit the global Punjabi superstar — radiant and ready to party.
His bhangra troupe stormed the stage, matching the infectious beats of 'Case', the night's first major eruption of energy.
From there, there was barely time to breathe.
The setlist was a dizzying mix of hits — 'Do You Know', 'Clash', and the irresistibly catchy 'Hass Hass' featuring Sia, which had the entire arena singing and bouncing in sync.
Dosanjh's magic lies in how effortlessly he bridges traditional and contemporary worlds — bhangra moves and pounding dhols blending with trap beats, synth textures, and pop polish.
Midway through, he treated fans to a few Amar Singh Chamkila classics — a touching nod to Punjab's folk legend that connected instantly with the older crowd.
For the younger fans, he mixed in smooth Punjabi-English transitions and cheeky crowd banter — all in Punjabi — constantly thanking the audience for their love.
We were at a full-blown Punjabi party: smoke cannons, lasers, lights — and an unstoppable crowd.
The only breather came when Dosanjh ducked backstage and returned in a tank top and bomber jacket, signaling the show's high-octane second half.
Diljit Dosanjh performs at Auckland's Spark Arena on November 13, 2025.
Blessen Tom
He ripped through fan favourites like 'GOAT', 'Kinni Kinni', and 'Kafur', and if anyone had managed to stay seated until then, they certainly weren't anymore.
Huge singalong moments broke out during 'Vibe' and the earworm 'Water'.
Dosanjh also showed his softer side, revealing the devotional depth behind his pop persona.
His soulful 'Ikk Kudi' brought a hush to the arena, before he jumped into a Bollywood detour with the playful 'Choli Ke Peeche'.
'Naina', from his 2024 film Crew, added a Hindi twist that delighted the crossover crowd.
There were heartwarming moments too — Dosanjh often reached down to greet children at the barricade, flashing his signature grin.
"I've never seen this many kids on stage at a concert!" one fan shouted — and it was true.
The finale was pure emotion — a heartfelt tribute to Punjab and Amar Singh Chamkila, as he closed with 'Ishq Mitaye', declaring he is Punjab. In that moment, it wasn't just him — the entire Spark Arena was Punjab.
It was a night where tradition met trap, faith met fun, and one man's charisma turned an arena into a family reunion.
