The Weeknd finds magic in the dark to kick off two-night Detroit stand at Ford Field
The Weeknd summoned musical rapture from the ruins of an otherworldly wasteland inside Ford Field on Saturday night.
Broad in imagination, grand in scope, the R&B superstar's cinematic spectacular played out for a packed and exuberant crowd at the downtown stadium to kick off a two-night Detroit stand.
The concert was part of the Weeknd's long, ever-morphing After Hours Til Dawn Tour, which originally brought him to Ford Field in 2022. Saturday's show deepened the post-apocalyptic chill of that night three years ago; the crumbling cityscape that surrounded him then has given way to the rubble of fallen buildings and a vast video backdrop crawling with trippy visuals.
Returning to the no-expense-spared production were dozens of mysterious, red-cloaked figures who solemnly crept across the stage for much of the evening in a kind of surreal druid ritual. The show's new cross-shaped runway configuration featured a towering, sexy-robot statue designed by Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama.
Still, amid the cyberpunk dystopia, a Saturday night party extravaganza blossomed. Songs flowed into one another like a live mixtape, with fans across the stadium belting along ecstatically as each new tune arrived. There was less aloofness in the Weeknd's presence this time, as he played to the crowd with frequent exclamations of 'Detroit!' and interacted with fans in the front rows.
New to the proceedings were 11 numbers from 'Hurry Up Tomorrow,' his recent sixth album, part of a set list that mingled crowd-pleasing hits with deeper cuts to service the diehards.
Night one at Ford Field drew a slew of fans from neighboring Canada, including many from the Weeknd's Toronto hometown, where he'll play a pair of shows in July. It was part of a lively and crowded night in downtown Detroit, including a Tigers game next door, the riverside Movement festival and its array of associated parties, and preparations for next weekend's Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.
The Weeknd was in strong voice for most of the night, though it's clear the 35-year-old has begun adapting his falsetto-rich studio style to suit the rigors of a global tour. It all unfolded atop a shimmering instrumental soundscape led by keyboardist Mike Dean, who deftly manned a corner of the stage amid his battery of synths.
Ford Field is the second stop on the tour's fourth and final leg, though it came more than two weeks after opening night in Arizona. That down time was occupied with the May 16 premiere of 'Hurry Up Tomorrow,' the Weeknd-starring companion film to the new album, and he took the opportunity to shake up the set list, swapping in the old-school fan faves 'Kiss Land' and 'High for This' among other tweaks.
Following the dark, twinkling show opener 'The Abyss,' the 2-hour, 5-minute set tapped the Weeknd's assorted sonic shades: futuristic club pop ('Take My Breath'), slow burners ('Creepin',' 'Niagara Falls'), warm and melodic new wave ('Save Your Tears,' 'Less than Zero'), simmering anxiety turned into galloping salvation ("Baptized in Fear"), lush throwbacks drenched in '80s charms ('Out of Time,' 'I Feel it Coming').
Rapper Playboy Carti, who had been a bit of an odd fit as opening act, returned to the stage to join the Weeknd to revisit their recent collabs 'Timeless' and 'Rather Lie.'
'Blinding Lights' — the eternally infectious, dayglo-streaked hit that stands as the most-streamed song in history — was the inevitable climax late in the show. It was followed by a wind-down that ultimately culminated with 'Moth to a Flame' and a few final fiery blasts from the flame projectors that had been busy across the stadium all night.
The Weeknd and company will do it again Sunday night at Ford Field as the After Hours Til Dawn tour kicks into high gear for its final run across North America. (Note for ticketholders: The Weeknd took the stage Saturday at 9:12 p.m.)
Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: The Weeknd finds magic in the dark to kick off two-night Detroit stand
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
‘Color walking' is trending — here's everything you need to know
The walking trends are coming in thick and fast now that summer is approaching, and TikTok — as TikTok does — is sending each one stratospheric. If you haven't heard about it yet, put down your "hot girl walk," "silent walking," or the "Japanese walking method" for just a moment and join me in the latest TikTok fitness craze — "color walking." I use up way more of my journalistic time than I'd like slamming and damning the misleading (and sometimes downright nonsensical) wellness trends I see on TikTok. It can often feel like a relentless game of Whack-A-Mole — just when you think one has finally gone, another one springs up from nowhere. But color walking? I'm actually totally sold, to be honest. Here's what I learned from the TikTok color walking trend — and why you may benefit from trying it, too. The color walking technique is a great way to engage in National Walking Month, and because the benefits of walking are extensive, who wouldn't want to find more ways to make it more interesting, too? Dale Orton, head of photo culture and quality at nature-inspired photography company CEWE, who champions walking in nature, says: Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 'Color walking is similar to many mindfulness practices and grounding techniques, such as deep breathing, naming categories and the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory experience, which aim to ease anxiety and help you feel more aware of your surroundings. These techniques help to anchor your thoughts and bring you back to the present moment.' He adds that you can experience the same effect with color walking — simply focus on a specific color while you walk to draw attention away from overthinking or distractions. 'It also trains your eyes to notice the small details, which heightens sensory awareness,' he says. 'Equally, we know that taking photos of nature can also help focus the mind, so combining your color walking and stopping to take photos can have double the benefit.' Orton suggests five tips if you plan to color walk. Here are a few things I noticed besides colors. Given that I was heading to my local park for this exercise, I decided not to go with green — my initial intention. Instead, I chose a color I'd have to look harder to find, which I thought could help improve my focus and prevent distractions. I landed on blue. Those walking near me probably wondered why I was standing in a field staring at the sky, but hey, we move. First, I watched how the clouds moved and interacted with the blue sky tucked away behind them; I felt…peaceful. Like the feeling after a big exhale when you've been holding your breath. I then walked around and looked for other blues that were less obvious — the color of a T-shirt (warning, don't stare at people for longer than is socially acceptable) or the orange and blue of a ball clutched between the spit-slick jaws of a panting puppy. It made me present in the moment and feel calmer in my mind. I get it, we don't all have time for long or leisurely walks whenever we feel like it, but you can benefit from even just 10 minutes of color walking. This wasn't a step tracking exercise, so I switched my phone to silent (a bit like when I tried silent walking), took out my earphones and removed my Apple Watch. Free from my self-imposed tech shackles, I explored and spent longer walking (and observing) than I would have done if I'd dutifully trotted out my regular walking route. Naturally, and without checking, I'm pretty sure I clocked up more steps. But that's not the point. Instead of going through the rhythms of my daily routine, I was actually noticing things for the first time, and I found it very soothing and enjoyable. If you're looking for a pair of the best running shoes you can wear for long walks, too, these sneakers are super cushioned and comfy. I regularly choose them for runs and walks! With my tech switched off, I could switch off. Anyone who knows me knows that I am chaotic by my very nature — a 5'2" hurricane of clumsy golden retriever energy and topic-hopping chat. I've also, and I know many people can relate, had a bit of a tough start to the year. During these mentally trickier months, my daily walks have been less about the physical benefits (hello rucking) and more about building mental stamina and finding some peace of mind. And so for once, I found myself genuinely relaxing and switching off my brain. Not for long — the worries and anxieties of the day ahead would still creep in, but just before I began floating off toward them, I'd then refocus my brain on the color blue and find myself re-anchored and tethered. I haven't found many of these mindfulness exercises work for me in life — if someone recommends 'traditional' meditation to me again, I won't be held responsible for my actions — but this one did. I enjoyed seeking out the color, observing how it interacted with its surroundings, then panning out to the object itself, how it moved, or how things moved around it. Simple, free to do and endlessly meditative. Tick, tick, tick. I honestly believe there are benefits for everyone with color walking, and it's a wellness trend I finally don't mind TikTok blowing up. If, for whatever reason, colors don't work for you, I recommend trying sounds instead. Try to choose one beforehand — like bird song — and listen for it wherever you go. If you fancy entering a trance-like state the next time you go walking, try a color walk. Trust me!
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jasson Domínguez's RBI single
INTERVIEW: Alan Trammell says 2025 Tigers are 'for real, there's no question' INTERVIEW: Alan Trammell believes the 2025 Tigers are "for real, there's no question about it." "We had some lean years, but we're coming," he told Brad Galli at the Detroit Sports Spectacular. Trammell also made it clear: he's still waiting for Lou Whitaker to join him in the Hall of Fame. 2:07 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Hamilton Spectator
7 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
4 reasons Milton SummerFest is Halton's can't-miss street festival
The Downtown Milton SummerFest is one of the few truly unique can't miss festivals in Halton region. Set for June 7 along the town's Main Street, SummerFest combines an incredible musical lineup, numerous unique vendors, an enormous kids zone and a notably electric atmosphere. Organizers have worked hard to establish the event as a standout festival during the busy summer calendar. Here are four reasons not to miss it. Organizers have picked a solid set of performing acts. Kicking off at noon and running until 8 p.m. on two stages, the event will showcase a mix of cover acts, original music performers with a solid track record and some local favourites. The headlining act is Cmagic5, a Toronto-based performer who opened for Simple Plan. She's described as Joan Jett meets Dua Lipa. Downtown Milton SummerFest is well aware attendees are looking for a great shot for their socials. Multiple photo ops are available to perfectly show off how you maximized your summer. For a festival located in a smaller historic downtown, the food options are remarkable. There are over 30 vendors from the community and beyond set to keep the people fed and refreshed. Everything from Japanese style cheesecakes to meat on a stick will be available. There's also a beer garden located beside one of the music stages. What really stands out about SummerFest is the energy. As a popular event right at the launch of summer, it tends to attract a fun crowd of people to get outside and enjoy the summer weather. For more information, visit .
