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.

The night featured elaborate costumes and a mind-bending set design.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg/@micheleevephoto
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.

Last night, Canadian superstar the Weeknd played the first of his two shows in South Florida.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg/@micheleevephoto
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."
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg/@micheleevephoto
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.
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.@prettyboycuh THE WEEKND BRINGS OUT FUTURE TO SURPRISE THE MIAMI CROWD🤯 #TheWeeknd #Future #Miami #AfterHoursTilDawnStadiumTour #HardRockStadium ♬ original sound - Cuh
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.

The Weekend played many hits during the first show at Hard Rock Stadium.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg/@micheleevephoto
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.