Review: The Weeknd Delivers a Theatrical Show for Miami Fans

Last night, Canadian superstar the Weeknd played the first of his two shows in South Florida as part of his After Hours Til Dawn tour, and we must say, it wasn’t anything short of spectacular. The night delivered on every level, from elaborate costumes and a mind-bending set design to dancers and surprise guests.

Since launching in 2022, the run has already shattered records as one of the biggest R&B tours of all time. It is a global juggernaut that places the Weeknd in the same league as icons like Michael Jackson and Prince when it comes to reach, ambition, and scale.

By the time doors opened, Miami was buzzing. Fans packed the stadium in XO-branded merch, glittering fits, and leather-inspired looks that mirrored Abel Tesfaye’s sleek, noir aesthetic. It was a cross-generational crowd: teenagers just getting their first taste of the Weeknd’s world, young adults who’ve soundtracked their coming-of-age with his music, and older fans who’ve watched his rise from underground enigma to pop phenomenon.

When the Weeknd finally took the stage, the atmosphere shifted instantly. He emerged draped in a thick, dark robe despite the suffocating Miami humidity, stepping into the spotlight as “Starboy” exploded through the speakers. He performed behind a glowing mask for the first few songs – part Phantom of the Opera, part MF Doom – before peeling it off to deafening screams from the crowd.

From there, the night unraveled like a fever dream. The stage stretched across the stadium with a massive runway, flanked by dystopian cityscapes and towering visuals that made the entire show feel cinematic. Pyro, smoke, and fireworks shot into the humid air while Tesfaye’s haunting falsetto cut clean through the chaos.

The setlist balanced the brooding new tracks from “Hurry Up Tomorrow” with the undeniable hits that have defined his career. He opened with “After Hours,” “Heartless,” and “Faith,” seamlessly blending into fan favorites like “The Hills,” “Die For You,” and “I Feel It Coming.”

The show wasn’t just a greatest-hits victory lap. Deep cuts like “The Morning” and “High for This” reminded long-time fans of his mixtape origins, creating some of the most intimate sing-alongs of the night. By the time “Moth to a Flame” ignited the stadium with fireworks and pyro at full blast, the atmosphere was electric – part rave, part sermon, part apocalyptic fantasy.

But the moment that had the entire stadium on its feet was when Future hit the stage for a surprise performance of “Low Life.” The two played the 2016 collab with renewed energy, reminding the crowd how deep Tesfaye’s catalog and star power run. It’s hard to imagine that an artist of this magnitude performed at intimate venues like Revolution Live in 2012.  

@prettyboycuh THE WEEKND BRINGS OUT FUTURE TO SURPRISE THE MIAMI CROWD🤯 #TheWeeknd #Future #Miami #AfterHoursTilDawnStadiumTour #HardRockStadium ♬ original sound – Cuh

Obviously, having multiple collaborations with Playboi Carti only meant that we had to see him again, so when it came time to play Tesfaye’s current hit, “Timeless,” Carti found himself on stage again. While Carti is more of a rage rap kind of artist who tends to bring moshpits wherever he shows up, this night was a lot more chill and laidback in all honesty. He also stayed on stage to perform the collaboration, “Rather Lie,” which originally premiered at the most recent Rolling Loud Miami back in December.

In between songs, Tesfaye made sure to show love to Miami. He shouted out the city multiple times, thanking fans for their energy and revealing that tracks like “Kiss Land” and “Low Life” were recorded here. “I never want to wait this long to come back,” he told the crowd, creating a genuine bond that elevated the night beyond spectacle – it felt personal.

At the heart of it all is that voice. The Weeknd’s falsetto, soaring and piercing, is what ties the theatrics and production together. While he isn’t a choreographer-heavy performer, his ability to command a stadium with pure vocal power is unmatched. He doesn’t need to dance – he lets the music, the visuals, and his raw presence do the work.

Walking out of Hard Rock Stadium, one thing was clear: the Weeknd isn’t just one of the greatest performers of our generation, he’s building a legacy that will live far beyond this tour. He leaves everything on stage: the breathtaking production, the unexpected guests, or the emotional connection with his fans.

By the end of the night, as fireworks cracked and pyro roared, nobody wanted it to end. That’s the spell of a Weeknd show, you walk in ready to party and leave feeling like you’ve lived through a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

With speculation that Hurry Up Tomorrow may mark the final chapter under the Weeknd moniker, night one delivered all the drama and intensity we expected.

Who’s ready for Night Two?

The Weeknd. With Playboi Carti and Mike Dean. 7 p.m. Night two and Saturday, August 16, at Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Dr., Miami Gardens; 305-943-8000; hardrockstadium.com. Tickets cost $49.50 to $310 via ticketmaster.com.