The Weeknd brought his After Hours Til Dawn tour to US Bank Stadium on Saturday, June 14. He delivered an electrifying two-and-a-half-hour performance that will mark the end of an era for the Canadian superstar.
The sold-out crowd of 66,000 witnessed what may be the final performance under The Weeknd moniker, as Abel Tesfaye told People Magazine back in May that his intention to retire the stage name that launched him to global superstardom over a decade ago.
Marathon Performance Features 41-Song Setlist
The performance showcased the breadth of Tesfaye’s catalog, spanning 41 songs across his most celebrated albums. This extensive Setlist, which included the haunting melodies of his early days and the chart-topping anthems that defined a generation, served as both a celebration of his career and a farewell to The Weeknd persona.
Stadium lighting transformed the venue into a cinematic landscape, with towering LED screens and pyrotechnics punctuating each musical chapter. The stage design incorporated elements from previous tours, such as the use of LED screens, while introducing new visual concepts, like holographic projections and interactive lighting effects, to create a truly unique visual experience.
The evening began with atmospheric renditions of trilogy-era deep cuts before building toward mainstream hits, with the entire stadium singing in unison. The production value, matched to the scale of the announcement, was a testament to the grandeur and spectacle of the event, with every technical element calibrated to create an unforgettable experience.
Supporting Acts Set the Stage
Producer and engineer Mike Dean, 60, opened the evening with an instrumental set that blended hip-hop production with electronic experimentation. Dean’s four-decade career in music production provided an intergenerational bridge, and his contributions to albums by Kanye West, Travis Scott, and others established him as a legendary figure in contemporary music.
Rapper Playboi Carti followed with a high-energy performance that energized the crowd before the main event. His avant-garde approach to hip-hop and experimental sound design complemented the evening’s theme of artistic evolution and transformation.
Chapter Closes on Iconic Persona
The Weeknd persona, which emerged from Toronto’s underground music scene in 2010, initially shrouded in mystery and anonymity, has left an indelible mark on the sound of the 2010s. Tesfaye’s decision to step away from the name signals a significant shift, underscoring the weight of his influence and the significance of his departure.
The transformation from an anonymous internet presence to a global superstar included chart-topping albums, Grammy victories, and collaborations with artists ranging from Daft Punk to Ariana Grande. The Weeknd’s influence extended beyond music into fashion, film, and popular culture.
Saturday’s performance acknowledged this trajectory while suggesting new artistic directions. The visual presentation incorporated elements from each album cycle, creating a comprehensive retrospective that honored the past while looking toward the future.
Stadium Atmosphere Reaches Fever Pitch
US Bank Stadium, home to the Minnesota Vikings, transformed into a musical cathedral for the evening. The venue’s distinctive angular architecture amplified the sonic experience, with Tesfaye’s vocals carrying clearly to every corner of the venue.
Audience members, representing a diverse range of ages and backgrounds, traveled from the Midwest and beyond, many wearing merchandise spanning The Weeknd’s entire career. This demographic diversity not only reflected the artist’s broad appeal but also made each member feel part of a larger community, with multiple generations sharing the experience of witnessing musical greatness.
Legacy Performance Marks New Beginning
As the final notes echoed through the stadium, the significance of the moment settled over the crowd as fans began to yell, “Abel.” The After Hours Til Dawn tour represented more than a series of concerts; it served as a farewell ceremony for a musical identity that shaped contemporary R&B and pop music.
The transition to using his given name suggests artistic maturation. Abel Tesfaye’s future projects will carry the weight of The Weeknd’s achievements while potentially exploring new creative territories unencumbered by established expectations.
Saturday’s performance at US Bank Stadium goes down in history as the night a chapter closed and another began, with 66,000 witnesses to a pivotal moment in popular music history.
