Burna Boy Makes History in Melbourne, Headlining Sidney Myer Music Bowl as First African Artist

Image: Burna Boy in Melbourne, Australia  

Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has once again rewritten the record books. On October 16, as part of his highly anticipated "I Told Them…" tour, the Grammy-winner delivered a sold-out, seismic performance at Melbourne’s iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl. This concert was not merely another stop on a world tour; it was a historic event, marking the first time an African artist had ever headlined the prestigious venue.

The significance of this achievement is amplified by the stature of the location. The Sidney Myer Music Bowl, a gift to the people of Melbourne from the Sidney Myer Charitable Trust that opened in 1959, is a beloved amphitheater nestled within the Kings Domain parklands. For over six decades, its stage has been graced by a veritable who's of international music royalty, from the rock anthems of AC/DC and Metallica to the timeless tunes of Paul McCartney and the soaring vocals of Florence and the Machine. For Burna Boy to now claim his place at the pinnacle of this legacy is a powerful testament to his explosive popularity and the mainstream ascendancy of Afrobeats.

The energy on the historic night was electric, with all 25,000 tickets snapped up by an eager audience. The venue’s unique configuration, combining fixed seating near the stage with a vast, sloping lawn area, was transformed into a sea of moving bodies as the artist delivered his signature fusion of Afro-fusion, dancehall, and hip-hop. Burna Boy commanded the stage with the confidence of an artist at the peak of his powers, fully aware of the moment's gravity.

While an official setlist has not been released, reports from crowd-sourced music sites like Setlist.fm indicate that the performance was a comprehensive journey through his hit-laden catalogue. The artist treated the massive crowd to a robust set of at least 17 songs, including recent anthems like “Tested, Approved & Trusted” and “Big 7,” alongside established global smashes such as “It’s Plenty” and the viral sensation “Last Last.” Each track was met with roaring sing-alongs, proving that his music has transcended cultural and geographical boundaries to find a fervent home in Australia.