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Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
The Weeknd brings ‘After Hours Til Dawn' back to Soldier Field, closing a chapter on the bad boy you can dance to
Three years ago, Abel Tesfaye — better known as The Weeknd — first brought his 'After Hours Til Dawn Tour' to Soldier Field. An acclaimed spectacle, the tour that started on such a high eventually brought the artist to his lowest low. In September 2022, during a show at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles near the end of his tour's North American leg, The Weeknd abruptly lost his voice while performing 'Can't Feel My Face.' The incident, brought on by 'self-imposed pressure' and stress, he said, left the artist reckoning with the realities of the world he'd built since breaking out of his underground, internet anonymity into global superstardom. It inspired a complete overhaul of his latest album, 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' (released Jan. 31), as well as a companion film of the same title, with actors Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan co-starring alongside Tesfaye in what's been widely regarded as a hyper-stylized, hollow vanity project. Upon the album and film's releases, Tesfaye announced he'd be leaving his famed moniker behind. He felt he had 'said everything he could say' under the Weeknd name and was looking to explore different creative avenues musically. Despite the critical reception for his ventures outside of music, fans showed up in droves Friday night for the first of two nights of the 'After Hours Til Dawn Tour' (part deux), and to say goodbye (sort of). After opening sets from Mike Dean and Playboi Carti, the lights went down and a deep, crimson haze eclipsed the stage. Brooding and slightly ominous, it was a similar production to what graced the lakefront stadium in the summer of 2022, with a mainstage rising from a city of ruins, multiple runways and a towering, chrome Stargirl replacing what had been the moon. Tesfaye wasted no time getting right into the thick of it. Flanked by nearly three dozen shrouded and masked dancers, one of R&B's most enigmatic figures appeared as a glam Darth Vader or space-age Phantom of the Opera — ready to lead his followers through a celebration of excess, contradiction and dissociation like no one else can. Lyrically, The Weeknd's signature is oscillating between yearning lover boy and the worst guy you'd meet at the afters, set to a breakbeat pace. His career, both on the mic and on film ('Uncut Gems,' 'The Idol'), is built upon various layers and dynamics of who is ultimately the same person: himself. A hedonist hustler never satisfied. The predator and the prey. Secure in his insecurities and wreaking havoc because of it. As one concertgoer shared in passing, 'His music does remind you of a bad boyfriend, but when they make you like them again.' Is it survival mode? Maybe. For over the past decade, it has worked — making Tesfaye a cultural force. Adeptly walking the ever-thinning line between sexy and sleazy, he's undeniably one of modern pop music's most influential hitmakers and collaborators. For Stephanie Escobedo, longtime fan and owner of Through the Body Dance & Fitness Studio in West Town, the artist's latest album and film project heightened the anticipation ahead of this weekend's shows. 'It's visually beautiful, like a giant music video,' Escobedo said of the movie. 'I liked the imagery and how he played himself because he can't act for (expletive). I thought it was a cool omission of how awful of a person he was and how he used the two characters of Jenna and Barry to portray sides of himself. 'From what I understand,' she continued, 'he's going to step away from The Weeknd persona and just go by Abel. I'm interested to hear how Abel sounds, as opposed to this version of him I've loved since 2011.' For just over two hours, there were no breaks in the concert. Tesfaye delivered wall-to-wall vocals, showcasing a strength, clarity, and control over an instrument you'd never think once escaped him. 'It's been a long time since I've been in Chicago,' he recounted during the show. 'Last time I was here, I said I'd play two nights — and look what you did!' Telling his audience that Soldier Field would have to drag him off the stage, he promised to go all night. With a 40-song setlist that included Playboi Carti joining him for 'Timeless' and Carti's own 'Rather Lie,' deep hits 'Wicked Games,' 'The Morning,' and the title track from his debut project 'House of Balloons' (2011), as well as now-expected classics such as 'The Hills,' 'I Feel It Coming,' 'Die For You,' and 'Save Your Tears,' Tesfaye basked in the glory of soundtracking a generation of situation-ships and manipulative love-bombing-you-can-dance-to. But really, you cannot help but dance to it. Try not to be physically moved by the pulsating rush of the synths driving 'Blinding Lights' or throbbing bass behind 'São Paulo.' And sure, the 'ballad' portions of the evening piled on the slightly indulgent vocal runs and pleas from Tesfaye to hear someone say they love him (so committed, you do genuinely believe he needs to hear it) were eye roll-inducing, but expect nothing less from a man who set up the stage visual for 'Call Out My Name' to ultimately look like a sacrificial sermon. If you're not here for a little bit of artistic narcissism from The Weeknd, what are you even doing? Alesa Vera, who was invited last minute by her cousin, said she appreciated that the artist ran straight through his set without any intermissions, costume changes, or exaggerated encore, giving everyone the most for their money. 'He really has so many hits. He sounded fantastic,' she shared after the show. 'That's hard to do. You forget how much you love certain songs. I was engaged the entire time.' As flames, fireworks, and synchronized, light-up bracelets decorated Soldier Field, The Weeknd wrapped his triumphant return by introducing himself as Abel Tesfaye. Whether a death or a rebirth, his performance was proof that no matter the perceived 'failures' he's endured — the music, the talent speaks for itself. For attendees Dre Holland and Amari White, however, The Weeknd will always be The Weeknd. 'The songs, he can't separate himself from those. People will always want to hear The Weeknd' Holland said while leaving Museum Campus. 'How much of his style can really change? I don't think he'll do it, but we'll see.' 'The fans are with him no matter what,' White added. 'He's captured something with his music and lyrics that only he does. I mean, look at all these people here.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Weeknd Credits Tom Cruise's 'Can't Feel My Face' Lip Sync for Helping With Early Career Success
The Weeknd is thanking Tom Cruise for helping him score a No. 1 hit earlier in his career. In 2015, the Mission: Impossible actor participated in a lip sync battle on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he performed 'Can't Feel My Face' from The Weeknd's sophomore album, Beauty Behind The Madness. More from The Hollywood Reporter Eurovision 2025: Austria Wins Song Contest With Johannes Pietsch, Israel Places Second Eurovision 2025: Stage Invasion During Israeli Yuval Raphael Performance Blocked Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson Charm Hollywood Bowl With Favorites, Deep Cuts at Outlaw Music Festival Tour Stop The track went on to become the artist's first top hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, shortly after Cruise called the singer 'enormously talented' on the late-night show. The Weeknd reflected on that time during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show. 'I definitely saw that. It actually helped the song,' he told host Jimmy Fallon. 'It helped it peak to the record-breaking top, thanks to him, obviously. To the biggest movie star in the world.' He noted that he's still never met the actor, but that he's 'a huge Tom Cruise guy. I love The Color Of Money, love Vanilla Sky, love Rain Man, Eyes Wide Shot, Magnolia and Mission Impossible.' To show his appreciation for Cruise, The Weeknd said he wanted 'to return the favor' and 'promote a little bit of Mission: Impossible,' the actor's latest installment that releases on Friday. He clarified that he has 'nothing to do with this movie' before proceeding to whip out a cap with The Final Reckoning's logo featured on it and read his own promotion card for the film. In addition to 'Can't Feel My Face,' The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, has earned six more No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 throughout his career, including 'Starboy,' 'The Hills,' 'Blinding Lights' and 'Save Your Tears.' He also has the most songs in the Spotify Billions Club, with 27 tracks having reached over one billion streams. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Who Parts Ways With Drummer Zak Starkey (Again)
The Who and their drummer Zak Starkey have seemingly parted ways… again. After initially announcing their separation last month, only to bring Starkey back days later, The Who's guitarist-songwriter, Pete Townshend, shared on Instagram Sunday that the son of The Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr has split from the band for a second time. More from The Hollywood Reporter The Weeknd Credits Tom Cruise's "Can't Feel My Face" Lip Sync for Helping With Early Career Success Eurovision 2025: Austria Wins Song Contest With Johannes Pietsch, Israel Places Second Eurovision 2025: Stage Invasion During Israeli Yuval Raphael Performance Blocked 'After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change,' Townshend wrote. 'A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.' However, Starkey, who had been the drummer for The Who since 1996's Quadrophenia tour, took to his social media shortly after, claiming that he was asked to say it was his decision to quit the rock band this time, but that 'this would be a lie.' 'I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the who to pursue my other musical endeavors this would be a lie,' Starkey wrote on his Instagram. 'I love the who and would never had quit. So I didn't make the statement ….quitting the who would also have let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me (thank you all a million times over and more) thru the weeks of mayhem of me going 'in an out an in an out an in an out like a bleedin squeezebox.' In mid-April, The Who announced that Starkey was no longer with the band following a disagreement during their show at Royal Albert Hall in March, with their rep calling it a 'collective decision to part ways.' A few days later, Townshend took to his Instagram to share that Starkey was back. 'There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily,' he wrote at the time. 'Roger and I would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral line up and he has readily agreed. I take responsibility for some of the confusion.' However, the drummer's return clearly didn't last long. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘American Idol' Season 23 Winner Crowned
Warning: Spoilers ahead for the Sunday-night season finale of American Idol has a new winner. More from The Hollywood Reporter The Who Parts Ways With Drummer Zak Starkey (Again) The Weeknd Credits Tom Cruise's "Can't Feel My Face" Lip Sync for Helping With Early Career Success Eurovision 2025: Austria Wins Song Contest With Johannes Pietsch, Israel Places Second Jamal Roberts was voted winner at the Season 23 finale by fans of the ABC singing competition. Host Ryan Seacrest said there were 26 million votes cast, which broke a record and was twice as many as for last year's finale. Roberts is the first Black man to win the singing competition since Ruben Studdard was crowned champ of Season 2, which aired in 2003. John Foster was the runner-up, with Breanna Nix coming in third. The finale also featured several performers, including Jessica Simpson, Good Charlotte, Salt-N-Pepa, Kirk Franklin, Jennifer Holliday, Patti LaBelle, Goo Goo Dolls and more. In addition, the top three finalists performed duets during the live broadcast Roberts sang with Jelly Roll, Foster performed with judge Luke Bryan, and Nix sang with Brandon Lake. Along with Bryan, the show's judges include Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood, a first-time judge who won Season 4. Underwood replaced Katy Perry on the judges' panel this season. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise 'Yellowstone' and the Sprawling Dutton Family Tree, Explained
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Look: The Weeknd supports Tom Cruise at 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' premiere
May 19 (UPI) -- The Weeknd showed his support for Tom Cruise at the New York premiere of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning ahead of the film's wide release Friday. The singer and actor, 35, recently opened up about how Cruise, 62, helped his early career when the actor lip synced "Can't Feel My Face" on a 2015 episode of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. "It actually helped the song. It helped it peak to the record-breaking top," he told Fallon during an interview on Tonight. A short video clip posted on the film's official Instagram page shows the actors embracing on the red carpet and posing for photographs. Cruise wears a suit, while The Weekend sports a gray jacket, silver chain and sunglasses with an otherwise all-black ensemble. Other attendees included Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, Angela Bassett, Esai Morales, Nick Offerman, Katy O'Brian, Gabriella Piazza, Sydney Cole Alexander, Victoria Canal and Charles Parnell. The Weeknd stars in Hurry Up Tomorrow, which opened in theaters Friday and also stars Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. The film shares a name with The Weeknd's most recent album.
