REVIEW: Giveon gives us a Kiwi night of soul, style, and a proposal

From the moment the lights dimmed at Spark Arena and an eruption flew over the crowd, I knew this wasn’t going to be just another concert night. 

Walking into a Giveon show feels less like entering a traditional pop or R&B concert and more like stepping into someone’s emotional diary, thoughtfully arranged and undeniably personal. 

Across multiple stops on his 'Dear Beloved, The Tour', Giveon has proven that his live performances aren’t just about hitting the notes, they’re about living the feelings behind them.

Now look, I know you’re reading this ‘cause you obvs wanna know how the show was, but we need to have a moment for the opening act that was Sabrina Claudio. 

HOLY SH**!!

That angel can SING. I literally only learnt about her a week ago, my mate told me to get amongst her and listen to a few songs before the show, and wow, she blew my mind! 

From songs like ‘Frozen’ and ‘Confidently Lost’, she absolutely set the tone for the night. 

Looking stunning in her gold dress, that resemeled someone singing in a jazz bar, I and everyone else around me were mesmerised from start to finish. 

Okay now.. let's get into it *cracks knuckles*

Opening with a few of his deeper, moodier tracks like “Mud” and “Stuck On You,” Giveon immediately set an introspective and emotional tone. 

You could feel the crowd lean in, phones up, eyes fixed on stage, breath held during long, silent bridges. With the simplistic stage being held together by a white curtain, the band and the mic stands, you were immediately captured by the essence. 

The lighting played a huge part, was actually insane, the warm ambers, deep blues, and gentle spotlights that made Giveon’s silhouette feel almost cinematic.

There were moments when just his voice and the guitar riff line filled the arena, and the echo of his baritone seemed to linger in the air long after the note faded. 

Giveon’s vocals live? Bolder in person than on any record, especially during quieter songs where every breath, every low register, and every lilting phrase carried feeling.

Unlike big pop shows that dazzle with fireworks or acrobatics, Giveon’s show was subtle and intentional. There was no need for smoke machines or dance crews, instead, his presence was the spectacle. When he reached the chorus of “Heartbreak Anniversary,” even those around me who weren’t die-hard fans knew the words and sang along, turning the arena into a communal sing-along.

Speaking of community… There was a surprise proposal in the crowd! We couldn't see much from where we were standing, but the arena erupted with emotion and applause when they realised what was happening. 

Giveon shone light on them and dedicated his next to them, a very sexy one, mind you. 

Between songs, he spoke softly to the crowd, genuine and warm, not rehearsed. He shared tiny stories about writing certain pieces while on the road, being from being in love to being single again (not a drill, he's single!), joked about how long he’s waited to return to New Zealand, and thanked us all with a sincerity

Giveon’s style for the night matched his sound: thoughtfully curated and cool without being too “pick me”. 

He stepped out early wearing a dark fur coat and a tailored light brown ensemble suit that balanced casual ease with classic R&B flair, medium tones, soft textures, and subtle layering that suggested confidence without flashiness. 

As the night progressed and the music deepened, so too did his vibe, dropping one layer to reveal a more stripped-down fit that mirrored the shift from opening atmosphere to emotional core of the set.

Fans at Spark Arena were fully locked in: lights up during mid-tempo grooves, phones down during ballads, voices raised for “Rather Be” and “Don’t Leave.” But I went absolutely feral when ‘Lost Me’ came on. Say what you will, but the vocal balance in that song that he manages to pull off every time should really be studied.

By the time Giveon closed with “Heartbreak Anniversary,” the applause was sustained and heartfelt, not just polite clapping, but real appreciation for what we’d just witnessed. 

In a venue like Spark Arena, he made the night feel intimate, as if we were all part of something deeply personal, a story told one song at a time.

In a year full of big tours and bigger light shows, Giveon’s Auckland performance proved that sometimes all you need is soul, presence, and a voice that carries all the way to the back row.