Concert review: The Weeknd captivates Edmonton with tireless showmanship and visual spectacle
At one point, during a performance of Our Time, he even approached a young girl in the crowd and allowed her to take his microphone and sing a portion of the chorus, which got a huge ovation from the crowd.
Article content
At the midpoint of the show, The Weeknd took a minute to acknowledge the Edmonton audience whom he had not performed for since the Starboy tour in 2017. He joked about not realizing how long it takes an Edmonton sky to darken in the summer, but he was glad to see how full the stadium was, even acknowledging the seats parallel to the stage.
Article content
While American cities had Playboy Carti opening the show, Edmonton was blessed with an opening performance by Mike Dean, a DJ and The Weeknd's long-time collaborator, who mixed from a podium in front of the main stage. Playboy Carti was denied entry into Canada, said promoter Live Nation. Dean's set was a tonally diverse blend of vapourware and drum and bass that included live instrumentals. Dean switched between wielding a saxophone, playing a synth keyboard and strumming an electric guitar, all while puffing on one joint after the next.
Article content
Article content
The screen behind Dean showed a sun rising slowly, cueing the music to transition from a slow gothic synth to more mirthful chimes, digital birds chirping from synth scaffolding. Smoke plumed from his tarp-covered podium as if attempting to create a stadium-wide contact high that set the right tone for the show to come.
Article content
During his acknowledgment of the audience, The Weeknd said he hopes it doesn't take another 15 years to come back to Edmonton, and after such an engaging and entertaining show, I hope so too.
Article content
Article content
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
6 hours ago
- CBC
Toronto's 'Starboy', aka The Weeknd, receives a key to the city
Toronto's very own Starboy has been awarded a key to the city ahead of his highly-anticipated concerts at Rogers Centre. Abel Tesfaye, a.k.a. the Weeknd, received the honour from Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow during a private ceremony on Saturday. "I'm deeply honored to receive the key to the city. It feels good to be home. Toronto is where I found my voice, and I'm committed to helping the next generation find theirs," he said in a statement. To mark the occasion, the singer and entertainment company Live Nation will be also partnering up to support the the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough and The Weeknd's alma mater of Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute "to create spaces for youth to connect, create and thrive," says a news release from the City of Toronto. Students from both institutions were present at the ceremony on Saturday. "Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye represents the best of our city. From Scarborough to the global stage, he has reshaped modern music while using his platform to support health and humanitarian causes at home and around the world," said Chow in a statement. "I am proud to honour one of our city's greatest artists with a key to the city to celebrate his contributions to music, society and our culture." Chow also proclaimed the weekend of July 26 and 27 as "The Weeknd Weekend" in Toronto. The Diamond-certified artist has smashed through global chart records with hit songs like Call Out My Name and Can't Feel My Face. Born and raised in West Scarborough, he made history as the first Canadian solo artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show in 2021.
Winnipeg Free Press
20 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Toronto gives The Weeknd key to the city ahead of a four-concert run at Rogers Centre
TORONTO – Toronto has given 'Can't Feel My Face' singer The Weeknd a key to the city as the star returns to play four shows in his hometown. Toronto Mayor Oliva Chow presented the ceremonial honour to the Scarborough-born singer Saturday morning in recognition of how he has 'reshaped modern music' and supported health and humanitarian causes in Toronto and abroad. The Weeknd, or Abel Tesfaye, says he's honoured to receive the key to the place where he found his voice, adding he's committed to helping the next generation find theirs. In addition to winning four Grammy Awards, the singer is also recognized for his philanthropic contributions to both Toronto and international charities. He received the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award from the Black Music Action Coalition for his advocacy. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. The Weeknd is set to play four concerts at Toronto's Rogers Centre over the next two weeks. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2025.
CTV News
20 hours ago
- CTV News
The Weeknd presented with Key to the City ahead of Toronto concerts
Mayor Olivia Chow poses with The Weeknd and his crew while holding the Key to the City. (City of Toronto handout) Grammy Award-winning musician The Weeknd has received the Key to the City ahead of his highly anticipated concerts at Rogers Centre. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow presented the honour to the Scarborough-born musician, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, at the downtown stadium on Saturday. In a statement, the mayor said The Blinding Lights singer represents the best of Toronto. 'From Scarborough to the global stage, he has reshaped modern music while using his platform to support health and humanitarian causes at home and around the world. I am proud to honour one of our city's greatest artists with a Key to the City to celebrate his contributions to music, society and our culture,' Chow said. The Weeknd is in Toronto for his 'After Hours til Dawn' tour in support of his album trilogy 'After Hours,' 'Dawn FM' and 'Hurry Up Tomorrow,' which was released earlier this year. The singer, who has 27 songs with over 1 billion streams each on Spotify, is set to perform in Toronto on Sunday and Monday and will return for additional shows on Aug. 7 and 8. The Often singer said he was honoured to receive the Key to the City. 'It feels good to be home,' he said. 'Toronto is where I found my voice, and I'm committed to helping the next generation find theirs.' In addition to his achievements in the music industry, the city said the awarding of the Key to the City is also in recognition of The Weeknd's contributions to the community, including raising and donating $500,000 to the Scarborough Health Network during the pandemic and co-founding HXOUSE, a not-for-profit innovation hub that empowers emerging creatives and entrepreneurs. The city added that The Weeknd, in honour of the recognition, is investing in the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough and his former high school, Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute, to create spaces for youth. 'As a self-made global ambassador for Toronto's music and arts communities, The Weeknd serves as a role model for aspiring artists everywhere. His recognition today celebrates both his international impact and his dedication to Toronto's cultural identity,' the city said. The city has also proclaimed July 26 and 27 as 'The Weeknd Weekend.'
