Lenny Kravitz has officially kicked off his long-awaited return to this side of the world, launching the first sold out show of his tour at Spark Arena in Auckland on Saturday night — his first time ever performing in New Zealand, 36 years after releasing his debut album Let Love Rule.
From the moment Kravitz stepped on stage, it was clear the love was mutual. Spark Arena roared from the opening notes, with couples, longtime fans, and new generations rising to their feet by the second song. Kravitz delivered a powerful, career-spanning set that reaffirmed why he remains a global rock icon more than three decades on.
Standout moments included early-set crowd eruptions to “Dig In” and “TK421”, a funk-driven mid-set led by powerhouse drummer Jas Kayser, and a thunderous final run featuring “Fly Away”, “American Woman” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way”. The night closed with an extended, arena-wide singalong to “Let Love Rule”, with Kravitz leaving the stage to walk through the crowd, greeting fans along the entire floor.
Now 61, Kravitz’s trademark charisma, style and stage presence remains unmistakable — from his iconic image to his effortless command of the crowd. Long-time collaborator Craig Ross delivered blistering guitar work throughout, bringing the classic Lenny sound to full force.
With the Auckland opener setting an emphatic tone, Australian audiences can expect a high-energy, hit-filled arena experience when Kravitz touches down.
Limited tickets to the remaining shows are available at www.ticketek.com.au