Diljit Dosanjh makes history under the famous Wembley arch

Diljit Dosanjh makes history beneath the iconic Wembley arch

On Saturday night, beneath the world-famous Wembley arch, five words rang out: "Punjabi Aa Gaye Wembley Oye!"

Indian megastar Diljit Dosanjh is known for opening every concert by declaring that "the Punjabis have arrived".

This time, though, he gave that familiar line a twist.

Wembley Stadium said Dosanjh is the first Punjabi singer ever to headline the venue.

Speaking to his fans, he spoke about how meaningful the moment was. "This moment will go down in the history books," he said.

As Bhangra rhythms thundered through the stadium, the crowd cheered wildly while Dosanjh moved through his biggest songs, from G.O.A.T. to Lover.

Over more than 20 years, Dosanjh has assembled a massive worldwide following, reached the top of the charts and performed with artists including Ed Sheeran.

He has even danced Bhangra with Jimmy Fallon.

His milestone Wembley concert only strengthens his standing as a global star.

Before the performance, he told the BBC backstage that the occasion felt like "a dream" to him.

The first Punjabi artist ever to headline Wembley Stadium

In London, Dosanjh’s audience was mostly - though not entirely - South Asian.

Excitement for his appearance had been growing all afternoon, with fans turning up early to secure their spots.

"MJ [Michael Jackson] and Madonna, he's that level for us," said one fan. "He's so good looking, and so down to earth," said another.

When he appeared on stage shortly after 8pm, wearing traditional clothing, the stadium exploded and the screaming hardly let up for the next two-and-a-bit hours.

Famous for his high-energy shows, he thrilled fans with dance routines to tracks including Hass Hass and Born to Shine.

His rich voice carried across the stadium, showing his versatility as he mixed Punjabi music with rap and hip-hop.

Throughout the concert, the crowd waved lights, sang along and, naturally, danced. At times, the standing section nearest the stage looked like an Indian wedding, with fans imitating Dosanjh’s impressive moves.

Even in such a huge venue, Dosanjh once again showed how personally he can connect with fans.

He invited a variety of people on stage, from young children to an elderly woman, taking selfies and handing out gifts.

He also made sure to recognise those in the back rows of the 90,000-seat stadium, saying the people at the back were "full of heart", and urged the audience to applaud them.

Fans in India also had reason to celebrate, after he announced that he would perform in November at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The night ended on an emotional note with his song Main Hoon Punjabi, meaning "I am Punjab", accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display.

"What an incredible show, the energy and vibe was unparalleled!" fans Amit and Rani told the BBC.

"We love Diljit and have been to all his shows in the UK. This was something else, a moment in time we won't forget being a part of."

They added that it was not only a privilege "but a moment to celebrate for Punjabi culture".

Dosanjh enjoys being first.

Starting out as a village boy from Punjab, he made history in 2023 by becoming the first Punjabi-language singer to perform at the US music festival Coachella.

He also famously made his Met Gala debut dressed in grand Punjabi clothing.

His rapid rise has taken him across America and Europe, and led to collaborations with pop stars from Sia to Sheeran.

A major part of his appeal is his authenticity. He stays true to his Punjabi roots, wears his turban with pride, and sings in his mother tongue.

Outside music, Dosanjh is also a well-known Bollywood actor and a social media star. Even people who have never heard his songs have likely seen his humorous Instagram clips - such as the one where he argues with an Amazon Alexa device

, external that could not understand his accent.

Now, he has performed on a stage that has previously hosted giants of music from Taylor Swift to Coldplay.

For Dosanjh and his millions of fans around the world, it marks an historic moment for Punjabi music, Punjabi culture and Punjabi vibrancy.

Speaking to the BBC before the show, he said he felt "thankful" to be there.

"When we were going to book this venue, everyone said, 'Think again before you book, it's a big stadium'," he said.

"I said: 'We'll see whatever comes. I want that our people are happy and can say yes, we can do this too!'"

He thought about the many artists who had performed there before him, adding that following in their footsteps "means a lot, a lot".

"It may not mean as much for someone like Harry Styles, as much as it means for us. He has performed on such stages, but for us, it's very special. Coming from a village to here - it's very special."

"I feel good. I feel happy. And I feel good for my people. I feel good for the next generation," he said.

And, of course, there was only one way to end it.

"We are here. Punjabi Aa Gaye Oye!"