Last Friday night, fans flocked to the State Farm Stadium in Glendale to witness the kick-off of The Weeknd's After Hours Til Dawn 2025 tour, an event that set the bar high for the subsequent 43 dates. According to Billboard, the sold-out show saw 60,000 attendees immersed in a spectacle of The Weeknd's blend of music and theatrics. Even the sweltering 100-degree day didn't dampen the enthusiasm that lasted for more than four hours, including an opening set by Mike Dean.
Playboi Carti, who hasn't performed in the Valley since a previous embellishment claimed it was 2015, electrified the crowd with a 45-minute set before The Weeknd took the stage. The Phoenix New Times describes the Atlanta-born rapper's set as a relentless run through 15 songs, including fan favorites like "Evil J0rdan" and "Sky."
The stage design was quite the talking point, boasting crumbling city ruins, a cross-shaped catwalk almost the length of the venue, and a dazzling giant robot from Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama. It was framed by a large screen, and rings positioned like a time travel portal for The Weeknd to weave his musical magic. The Phoenix New Times noted the dramatic visuals, replete with spiraling graphics and jets of flame, which contributed to the show's darkly thrilling atmosphere.
"The first night’s always the best night," The Weeknd reportedly told the crowd, according to the Billboard article, sending the audience into a wave of excitement. His performance included a mix of new tracks like "The Abyss" from his latest album "Hurry Up Tomorrow," along with a comprehensive list of his biggest hits, despite partially playing "Starboy" to the dismay of fans. While most of the show thundered with the energy expected of a tour opener, the ending was perceived as slightly off-mark as he chose to close with less climactic songs after the high of "Blinding Lights."
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