The desert heat was no match for The Weeknd’s fiery kickoff to his After Hours Til Dawn Tour, which lit up State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Friday night (May 9). With temperatures soaring past 100 degrees, 60,000 fans packed the sold-out venue for a four-hour spectacle that doubled as a testament to The Weeknd’s pop dominance.
Opening with synth legend Mike Dean and a pulse-pounding set from Playboi Carti, the night exploded into a full-blown sensory overload once Abel Tesfaye took the stage. The Weeknd’s sprawling production featured flaming cityscapes from his 2022 tour, a colossal Sorayama-inspired golden statue, and mesmerizing neon laser tunnels stretching across the entire football field.
Fans, armed with glowing wristbands, became part of the show as a massive illuminated X radiated from the stadium’s roof. “The first night’s always the best night,” The Weeknd declared, sending shockwaves through the ecstatic crowd.
Fifteen years into his career, The Weeknd continues to redefine live performance standards. The tour now pauses for a brief break as Abel prepares for the release of his Hurry Up Tomorrow film — tied to his February album — and an upcoming appearance on The Tonight Show next Thursday (May 15).
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