The Weeknd – After Hours til Dawn Tour

The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn Tour made a spectacular stop at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, from June 25 to June 29, 2025, delivering four sold-out nights that collectively drew over 200,000 fans, further cementing his position as one of the defining musical icons of his generation. This highly anticipated tour—supporting his latest albums Hurry Up TomorrowAfter Hours, and Dawn FM—was not just a concert series but an immersive audiovisual experience, showcasing Abel Tesfaye’s evolution as an artist and performer on the world’s biggest stages.

Deep Roots with SoFi Stadium

The Weeknd’s relationship with SoFi Stadium has been uniquely intense and historic. Having previously set multiple attendance records at the venue—including most shows by a male artist and highest-grossing runs—the 2025 tour leg arrived laden with emotional weight. The site had witnessed both his triumphs and challenges, including the nerve-wracking moment in 2022 when Abel lost his voice mid-show. Returning in 2025, The Weeknd was met with adoration and anticipation, ready to showcase his resilience as both an artist and live performer.

The city of Inglewood celebrated the moment by declaring June 25 to 29 as “The Weeknd Week,” a testament to his cultural impact and hometown pride. Fans packed the stadium, energized by the promise of a brilliantly staged show blending The Weeknd’s signature brooding intensity with cinematic grandeur.

A Journey Through Musical Eras

The After Hours Til Dawn Tour setlist was an artful balance of hits from across The Weeknd’s career, fused with songs from his most recent work. The show opened with “The Abyss,” a powerful track echoing themes of personal struggle and perseverance. From there, fans were carried through a sweeping narrative of sound—blending dark synth-pop, R&B, and atmospheric ballads—anchored by The Weeknd’s unmistakable voice and presence.

Highlights included crowd-favorites like “Save Your Tears,” “Less Than Zero,” and “Take My Breath,” which showcased his ability to evolve while maintaining a signature sound that resonates deeply. The high-energy closer, “Blinding Lights,” ignited the stadium as thousands sang along to one of the most iconic pop songs of the decade—the perfect crescendo to a night of emotional highs and sonic brilliance.

Production and Stagecraft

The production design of the After Hours Til Dawn Tour at SoFi was nothing short of breathtaking. Large LED screens enveloped the stadium with surreal visual effects, ranging from dystopian cityscapes mirroring the tone of After Hours to vibrant, kaleidoscopic gardens that evoked Dawn FM’s ethereal atmosphere. Elaborate lighting, holograms, and live choreography blended seamlessly with The Weeknd’s live band, backup dancers, and a tight-knit crew, crafting an immersive cinematic experience.

Strategically placed stage elements allowed for intimacy even within the vast stadium, with moments when The Weeknd appeared silhouetted against vast projections or interacted closely with the audience to share quiet, vulnerable moments. This mix of spectacle and intimacy was a defining feature of the tour, setting a new standard for large-scale pop performances.

Supporting Acts: Playboi Carti and Mike Dean

The tour’s curated lineup included exciting opening performances from rapper Playboi Carti and producer Mike Dean, whose combined energy helped elevate anticipation and amplify the show’s emotional arc. Carti’s wild, energetic set got fans hyped with tracks like “FE!N” and “Timeless,” while Mike Dean’s set created a sonic atmosphere that perfectly complemented The Weeknd’s entering vibe, layering texture and mood for a cohesive concert journey.

Critical and Fan Acclaim

Reviewers lauded the After Hours Til Dawn concerts at SoFi Stadium for their emotional depth, innovative stagecraft, and The Weeknd’s consistent vocal excellence despite the demands of a long tour. The combination of studio-quality visuals with authentic, raw live vocals resulted in a show that resonated both on a sensory and emotional level. Fans echoed this sentiment, praising the warmth and connection The Weeknd maintained with the crowd, punctuated by heartfelt moments of gratitude and reminiscence.

Record-Breaking Run

The four-night stint marked a new pinnacle in The Weeknd’s touring career, with over 200,000 in attendance and multiple sold-out dates leading to unprecedented box office success. According to Live Nation and Billboard, The Weeknd now holds records for the most sold-out shows by a male artist at SoFi Stadium and for the highest-grossing Black male artist performances at several North American venues including Levi’s Stadium and Lumen Field. This leg of the tour served as a clear indicator of his sustained global appeal and skill in delivering consistently high-caliber live shows.

Photo Gallery

Photographs from the tour vividly capture the spectacle’s grandeur and intimate moments alike:

  • The Weeknd on stage bathed in gold and black, surrounded by theatrical lighting and a sea of fans.
  • Massive stadium shots with fans waving light sticks and engaging fully in the experience.
  • Close-ups of intense vocal performances paired with striking visual backdrops.

A Defining Moment

The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn Tour at SoFi Stadium was more than a series of concerts; it was an artistic statement and a career milestone. Blending emotional storytelling, visionary technology, and musical mastery, The Weeknd crafted a show that honored his past while looking boldly to the future. It stands as an exemplar of how pop music and live performance can evolve together to create unforgettable experiences that captivate and inspire large, diverse audiences. The tour’s success also foretells further global ventures, with dates scheduled through 2026 across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, promising to expand The Weeknd’s already vast influence worldwide.

In every note and every light, the After Hours Til Dawn Tour reminded fans why The Weeknd remains one of the most compelling and innovative artists of his time.

 

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