“A cinematic, emotional, and expertly controlled tour stop marks a potential end to The Weeknd as we know him.”
By: Viviana Manzo
Photo Credit: Michael Vargas, Ronald Bass
Inglewood, CA (The Hollywood Times) 6/29/25 – Abel Tesfaye, known globally as The Weeknd, returned to SoFi Stadium this week not just to perform, but to close a chapter. Over four sold-out nights, he played to fans as part of the final leg of his After-Hours Til Dawn Tour. The shows felt less like another stop on a global run, and more like a final statement from one of modern pop’s most enigmatic figures.
This wasn’t just a victory lap for The Weeknd, it was a reckoning being able to perform in the same venue where, in 2022, he lost his voice mid-set and had to end the show early. Since then, SoFi has become a symbol of both artistic failure and redemption for the artist. He returned later that year with a triumphant performance (documented in his Live at SoFi Stadium special) and even fictionalized the experience in his surreal film Hurry Up Tomorrow.
In a brief message before this latest run, Tesfaye told The Los Angeles Times: “This is bigger than me, it’s a reflection of the power of music and its impact on people.” That sentiment was fully realized across four visually stunning, emotionally charged, and thematically layered nights.
Among the crowd, longtime fans noted how even in a stadium of tens of thousands, Tesfaye made the night feel intimate. One observer recalled how, instead of lengthy monologues, the artist opted for eye contact, subtle gestures, and a simple but heartfelt exclamation early in the set: “LA is f***ing great!” He pointed at individual fans, walked the stage with intention, and gave off a quiet energy that made it feel like he was saying goodbye, not just to the crowd, but to a version of himself.
A Performance That Balanced Art and Intimacy
The show opened in stark, theatrical fashion: dancers in red robes, towering dystopian structures, and Tesfaye cloaked in a bejeweled Ethiopian kaba, singing “The Abyss” beneath glowing orbs and collapsing buildings. But any sense of cold detachment melted when he removed his mask to reveal a beaming smile, shifting the energy from ritual to release.
The concert traced his career arc from dark, drug-fueled early mixtapes to the shimmering pop of his most recent hits. Tesfaye commanded the stadium largely on his own but introduced a few collaborators including Playboi Carti and Mike Dean.
One of the most electrifying moments came courtesy of Playboi Carti’s surprise encore. After a brief opening set, The Weeknd brought out Carti mid-show to perform “Timeless” a second time. Fans described the moment as a full-circle reprise that transformed the song from a highlight into a communal eruption. “It felt less like a song performance and more like a collective memory being made in real time,” one attendee shared.
The stage setup was bold but static: a massive golden female android at center stage, cross-shaped runways, and soaring flames lining each ramp. Unlike other arena acts, Tesfaye made no costume changes and rarely shifted the aesthetic. The design remained consistent, letting the music and his voice take precedence. Despite the massive scale, he found ways to make it feel personal. He stepped down to lead fans in a singalong of “Out of Time,” and delivered heartbreakers like “Call Out My Name” and “Die for You” with haunting vulnerability.
In the moment, the pacing and silence between songs didn’t immediately register for some fans as anything to take note of. But for others, they described the quiet pauses as if Tesfaye knew it might be the last time performing as The Weeknd. His long lingering, scanning the crowd and taking in the moment as though imprinting a memory.
The End of The Weeknd?
This tour may mark more than just the end of an album cycle. Tesfaye has openly hinted that The Weeknd persona may soon be retired. “It never ends until you end it,” he said in a recent Variety interview, citing a desire to move beyond the concept-driven character he’s been living in for over a decade.
If so, this four-night SoFi stand reads as a carefully crafted epilogue. Tracks from his new project Hurry Up Tomorrow such as “Cry for Me” and “São Paolo” blended seamlessly with classics like “Starboy” and “Often,” while synth-driven anthems like “Save Your Tears” and “Blinding Lights” sent the stadium into a euphoric close.
A Pop Star on His Own Terms
In today’s world of spectacle-heavy tours and ensemble productions, The Weeknd’s self-contained approach felt almost radical. No rotating set pieces. No surprise guests. Just one man, standing in a cross of fire and shadows, offering a curated farewell to a persona that redefined modern pop.
Seven sold-out shows at SoFi over two years is a feat few could match. But the true impact of this residency lies in its emotional resonance. Tesfaye didn’t just revisit his past, he transcended it.
If this is truly the end of The Weeknd, it’s a sendoff worthy of the character he created: mythic, mysterious, and unforgettable.
