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.
Hard Rock Stadium turned into Abel Tesfaye's personal universe, a dystopian, neon-lit playground where moody synths and thunderous bass collided with theatrical grandeur. The show opened with the haunting "The Abyss," setting a dark, cinematic tone before launching into fan favorites like "After Hours," "Starboy," and even "Call Out My Name."
But the moment that had the entire stadium on its feet? When Future hit the stage for a surprise performance of "Low Life." The two played the 2016 collab with renewed energy, reminding the crowd just 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 back in 2012.  

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

The atmosphere was pure devotion. Fans showed up dressed for the occasion, some in red jackets and bandaged faces, others holding handmade signs, screaming lyrics under the stadium lights. Tesfaye gave them everything: over 40 tracks that spanned early-era moody bangers to the synth-pop highs of Dawn FM and his latest drop, Hurry Up Tomorrow.
Even the tour's interludes felt purposeful. Between sweeping visuals and glitchy voiceovers, the narrative of transformation and rebirth ran deep, mirroring Tesfaye’s own artistic evolution. Each transition felt like a chapter, building a full-circle experience that blurred the line between concert and concept performance.
Throughout the night, Tesfaye weaved in eerie lighting, elaborate transitions, and moments where he stepped offstage to connect directly with fans. His ability to turn a massive stadium into an intimate emotional experience remains unmatched.
And with speculation that Hurry Up Tomorrow may mark the final chapter under the Weeknd moniker, night one delivered all the drama and intensity we were expecting.

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.