Global Afrobeats icon Burna Boy etched his name into the history books on October 11, 2025, after delivering a groundbreaking performance in Auckland as the headliner of the first-ever Afrosoul Festival at Lilyworld, Go Media Stadium.
The event wasnβt just another concert; it was a moment of cultural pride and a milestone for African music in New Zealand.
That night, Burna Boy became the first African artist to headline a stadium show in New Zealand, expanding his growing list of international firsts.
The Grammy-winning artist had already made waves in 2023 when he sold out the London Stadium, becoming the first African to headline such a venue in the UK.
Burna Boy performing live at the Afrosoul Festival in New Zealand π₯
One of one performer! π€© pic.twitter.com/xFYq69UMRl
β ππππ¨π π§ππππ¦ π (@AlbumTalksHQ) October 11, 2025
With his full live band bringing electrifying energy to the stage, Burna Boy delivered a performance that felt like a global celebration of Afrobeats.
Fans sang along word-for-word to hits like βLast Last,β βItβs Plenty,β βOn The Low,β and βCity Boys.β But beyond the music, the night symbolised how far Afrobeats and African culture as a whole have travelled across continents.
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Among the excited crowd were familiar faces, including his mother and manager Bose Ogulu, his sister Ronami Ogulu, and Nigerian-Kiwi UFC champion Israel Adesanya, whose surprise appearance drew loud cheers from the audience.
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While Burna Boy was the main attraction, Afrosoul Festival also shone a light on other rising Afrobeats stars. The lineup featured Nigerian singer Victony and British-Nigerian rapper Darkoo, both performing in New Zealand for the first time.
The duo, known for their hit collaboration βPsycho,β brought youthful flair to the stage. Victony thrilled fans with songs like βSkido,β βStubborn,β and his popular collaboration with Burna Boy, βDifferent Size.β
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His energetic performance captured the essence of modern Afrobeats, a sound that fuses African rhythms with international influences.
The inclusion of emerging acts alongside Burna Boy underscored Afrosoulβs mission: to showcase both established legends and the next generation shaping Africaβs global sound.
Organizers described Afrosoul as βAotearoaβs ultimate celebration of rhythm, flavour, and creativity.β The R18 festival, which ran from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., turned Lilyworld into a colorful cultural hub. Beyond the music, guests immersed themselves in African art installations, authentic food stalls, and dance battles, giving the event a vibrant community feel.
More than just entertainment, Afrosoul became a bridge between Africa and the Pacificβproof that Afrobeats has a universal rhythm that resonates far beyond its roots. The sold-out success of the event left no doubt: African music has found a powerful new audience in New Zealand.