The Weeknd Embraces Full-Fledged Pop Star Status During 2-Night Chicago Stand
The Weeknd's sixth and most recent album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, was released in January and was accompanied months later by a film of the same name. In the mystifying thriller, the star—born Abel Tesfaye—portrays a thinly-veiled version of himself attempting to rectify an onstage crash out that resulted in not just embarrassment but also losing his voice.
This real-life moment from 2022, which the singer ultimately attributed to self-imposed pressure and stress, clearly haunted the 'Blinding Lights' singer. However, this didn't deter The Weeknd from introducing the latest iteration of the After Hours Til Dawn Tour at Chicago's Soldier Field for two consecutive nights on May 30 and 31.
Multi-instrumentalist and frequent Weeknd collaborator Mike Dean was the first opener for both evenings, followed by Atlanta-born rapper Playboi Carti. For the May 31 show, the emcee brought his signature high energy for songs like Future's 'Type Shit' and 'LIKE WEEZY.' However, when Carti introduced the one and only Travis Scott as his special guest, the crowd livened up even more for rousing renditions of 'goosebumps,' 'CRUSH' and 'FE!N.'
It wasn't long before The Weeknd took the stage amidst a backdrop of a ruinous cityscape and gold robot statue designed by Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama. His dancers, clad in red hooded robes, appeared immediately for his very first song of the night, 'The Abyss' from Hurry Up Tomorrow. The vocalist stunned in a black hooded robe and a shiny chrome mask with illuminated eyes, which he would soon reveal to the delight of the audience.
The Weeknd would go on to captivate by playing nearly 40 songs. 'Starboy' felt like a fever dream while 'Heartless' was riddled with jagged guitar riffs that gave it a treacherous edge. 'Can't Feel My Face,' one of the songs that catapulted the Toronto native into superstardom, was purely electrifying, and 'Often' sounded just as sumptuous as it did on 2015's Beauty Behind The Madness.
The fiery nature of 'The Hills' was one of the most captivating instances from his set. Even though his cover of Metro Boomin's 'Creepin'' felt brief, the hits that followed were colossal. During 'Out Of Time,' he ventured his way into the crowd to sing along with fans–and was tightly hugged by one who was mesmerized by his presence. 'I Feel It Coming' and 'Die For You' were major sing-along moments, but when The Weeknd dipped into old-school classics onlookers were reminded of the depth of his catalog.
More specifically, tracks from his 2011 debut mixtape House of Balloons were delivered with the urgency and conviction of that same mysterious musician with a penchant for lyrical tawdriness. 'Wicked Games,' 'The Morning,' 'High For This,' and 'House of Balloons' sounded less glacial and more heartfelt at this point in his career. The Weeknd didn't perform any songs with Playboi Carti on night two at Soldier Field, and he wasn't much for words throughout the performance. However, he did repeatedly thank Chicago for supporting him over the last 15 years. If there was any fear of coming up short onstage, the singer didn't show it.
Instead, he did what he does best: let his transcendental vocals move the people who have believed in him the most.
More from VIBE.com
The Weeknd's 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Earns $3.3 Million Box Office Debut
The Weeknd Might Not Be Retiring His Music Persona After All
The Weeknd's 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Film Trailer Hints At A Mind-Bending Experience
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Weeknd Is Stuck in Purgatory in ‘Baptized in Fear' Video
In the name of the father, the son, and the Weeknd. On Friday, the R&B icon released the video for 'Baptized in Fear,' one of the standouts from his album Hurry Up Tomorrow. The video plays clips of the Weeknd singing the haunting lyrics in front of several cement backdrops that show the star stuck in a sort of purgatory. 'I've been baptized in fear, my dear / Like Paul, I'm the chief of sin,' he sings. 'Washing my soul within.' More from Rolling Stone The Weeknd Named His New Nespresso Collection After His Mother Samra, Tying Back to His Ethiopian Roots Feid and Tony Hawk Play PS2 and Share Cereal in Nostalgic 'Ando XXIL' Video Bad Bunny Cheers Up His Frog Pal Concho With Some Strippers in 'Ketu TeCré' Video The video is featured in the Hurry Up Tomorrow film and ends with The Weeknd sitting on a pew inside a dark church. The new video comes as the movie was added it for sale on digital and on-demand Friday, allowing fans to watch the album, starring Barry Keoghan and Jenna Ortega, at home. The last video from the album came in April with 'Drive,' featuring Ortega. Hurry Up Tomorrow marked the third part of a trilogy, following 2020's After Hours and 2022's Dawn FM, with Rolling Stone calling it 'dazzling and frustrating, with moments of lyrical clarity and sonic density that stand out amidst the heavy-hearted reflections and even heavier synths.' Hurry Up Tomorrow is the final project Abel Tesfaye will release as the Weeknd. 'Everything needs to feel like a challenge. And for me right now, the Weeknd, whatever that is, it's been mastered,' Tesfaye told Variety. 'No one's gonna do the Weeknd better than me, and I'm not gonna do it better than what it is right now. I think I've overcome every challenge as this persona.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
CBS News
10 hours ago
- CBS News
Colorado's Empower Field at Mile High to take precautions for heat during The Weeknd concert
This Saturday, thousands of people are expected to attend The Weeknd concert at Empower Field at Mile High, and venue organizers are working to make sure the heat doesn't ruin the fun. The Weeknd is a popular Canadian singer and songwriter famous for hits such as "Blinding Lights," "Starboy" and "Die For You." His stop in Denver is part of the "After Hours Til Dawn Tour" with Playboi Carti. Officials expect there to be a large crowd and heavy traffic during the concert and are encouraging guests to arrive early. Lots will open at 3 p.m. The Weeknd performs onstage for "After Hours Til Dawn" 2025 Stadium Tour at State Farm Stadium on May 09, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. Kevin Mazur via Getty Images for Live Nation The Denver metro area will be under a heat advisory Saturday, with temperatures possibly climbing into the triple digits. The heat advisory will go into effect at 11 a.m. and remain in place until 6 p.m. The stadium management company said there will be several precautions in place, including additional medical staff to help concert goers with heat related issues. Some areas around the stadium will be used as expanded medical treatment areas, and over 30 free water refilling stations will be positioned throughout the stadium. Organizers said there will also be water refilling stations outside the east and west areas of the stadiums for guests waiting to enter. Precautions will also be in place to protect staff from the heat, with additional break areas with hydration stations.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Body Language Expert Says Prince William "Sad and Subdued," as Royal Aides Claim Kate Middleton Missing Royal Ascot Is "No Cause for Alarm"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Royal fans were shocked when Kate Middleton canceled her appearance at Royal Ascot on June 18 at the very last minute. Former royal butler Grant Harrold suggested Prince William would "definitely feel the void" of Kate's absence, via Spin Genie. Now, palace insiders are setting the record straight about Princess Kate's decision to skip Royal Ascot, while a body language expert has weighed in on the Prince of Wales's solo appearance. At the time, royal sources said the Princess of Wales was extremely "disappointed" to miss the prestigious event, but she needed "to find the right balance as she continues her recovery from cancer and a phased return to full duties," via The Sunday Times's royal editor, Roya Nikkhah, on X. However, GB News has since reported that "palace insiders moved quickly to quell any speculation, insisting the situation stemmed from administrative confusion rather than health concerns." As reported by GB News, "Royal sources stressed there was 'no cause for alarm' and that Kate was adhering to the guidance previously given about finding the right equilibrium in her duties." As for how an alleged mistake about Princess Kate's attendance could have occurred, GB News stated, "The administrative mix-up unfolded when Ascot executives released the day's procession list at midday, listing both the Prince and Princess of Wales in the second carriage behind The King and Queen." It would seem that, according to palace insiders, the Princess of Wales had chosen to skip Royal Ascot long before the public became aware of her decision. Body language expert Judi James analyzed Prince William's appearance at Royal Ascot on June 18, telling the Express, "While his father, The King, chatted happily to their guest in the carriage, using some animated, good-humored body language displays, William seemed to sit back quietly with a slightly slumped posture, looking subdued and rather reflective without Kate at his side." James told the outlet that the Prince of Wales appeared to be "sad and subdued" at the regal event.
