Abel Tesfaye returns to Toronto with a theatrical concert, marking the beginning of his farewell to The Weeknd persona in a sold-out Rogers Centre performance.
A Hometown Farewell Begins in Toronto
Abel Tesfaye, globally known as The Weeknd, returned to his hometown Toronto on Sunday, July 28, to launch the first of four sold-out concerts at Rogers Centre — a symbolic start to his farewell to the moniker that made him a global star. The event, part of his “After Hours Til Dawn” tour, signaled a dramatic transition in his career as he moves beyond the character he’s embodied for over a decade.
A Celebrated Homecoming with Official Recognition
The occasion was met with civic celebration: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow declared the weekend “The Weeknd Weekend” and awarded Tesfaye the key to the city, commending his cultural contributions and Scarborough roots. The honour was given just a day before the concert, setting the stage for a powerful moment of recognition for the hometown hero.
Theatrics Meet Emotion at Rogers Centre
The performance was anything but routine. Tesfaye emerged wearing a gold-studded black robe and a half-mask, surrounded by masked dancers and a surreal golden stage set — including a giant rotating statue of a nude woman. Despite the theatrical intensity, the mood was deeply nostalgic, with Tesfaye telling the crowd, “That’s a warm welcome home, isn’t it?” while referencing his childhood memories of attending Blue Jays games at the same stadium.
Why Tesfaye is Leaving The Weeknd Behind
While Tesfaye is not retiring from music, he has confirmed that this tour will be the last under “The Weeknd” alias. The decision stems from his desire to shed the fame-obsessed, hedonistic persona that first emerged with his 2011 mixtape House of Balloons. Over the years, The Weeknd has become both a symbol of artistic exploration and a vessel for confronting themes of vanity, nihilism, and identity.
Fans Embrace the Duality of the Experience
Fans braved Toronto’s 30°C heat dressed in black — mirroring the moody aesthetic of The Weeknd’s discography — to witness a performance that fused cult-like visuals with unmatched vocal delivery. Tesfaye masterfully commanded the crowd of 50,000 with hits spanning his career, from The Hills to Out of Time, blurring the lines between religious ritual and rave.
Looking Ahead Beyond The Mask
Though recent attempts to expand The Weeknd brand into TV and film — including the widely criticized HBO series The Idol and the film Hurry Up Tomorrow — have faltered, Sunday’s show affirmed Tesfaye’s true strength: live performance. With gold pyrotechnics, spiritual overtones, and a crowd in rapture, he proved that even as he retires the name, The Weeknd’s legacy remains deeply etched into Canadian music history.
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