If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like if a dystopian cult, a Las Vegas residency, and the CN Tower had a love child, The Weeknd’s second-last hometown show at Rogers Centre had your answer. Spoiler: it’s got blinding lights, fireworks, and at least one giant naked gold woman.
On his second-last night in Toronto as The Weeknd, Abel Tesfaye delivered a show that was both a celebration and a send-off. Playing to a sold-out Rogers Centre, the Scarborough native gave the crowd exactly what they came for: two hours of hits, spectacle, and genuine hometown pride.
Emerging in a black robe covered in gold rhinestones and a glowing mask, Tesfaye opened with The Abyss before diving straight into After Hours and Starboy. His vocals were sharp and consistent, carrying the same polish as his recordings while still finding moments to surprise with new runs and flourishes.
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The staging was unapologetically grand: a crumbling golden skyline, a massive spinning statue, dancers in red robes, and bursts of flames that lit up the dome. The LED wristbands given to fans turned the stadium into a synchronized sea of light, shifting with each track.
Between songs, Tesfaye reflected on his roots, pointing out the CN Tower, vouching for a coveted name change of the Rogers Centre back to the Skydome, and removing his mask to deafening cheers. The cheers that Abel received at this show are unlike anything I’ve ever heard. He also made time to connect directly with fans, even handing the mic to a few during Out of Time.
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As a former dancer, the background performers really stood out to me. They elevated the entire show, and while their dystopian costumes were a little unsettling, they added a powerful sense of drama and performance to the night.
By far, my favourite moment of the night was when the entire stadium sang the final lines of After Hours. In that instant, the space completely transformed. The lights shifted, the sound of 50,000 voices merged into one, and it felt less like a concert and more like a shared heartbeat. It was the kind of moment you don’t just hear, you feel, and I’ve never experienced such perfect unison at a show before.
The setlist was stacked: Can’t Feel My Face, The Hills, I Feel It Coming, Die for You, and more, before closing with Save Your Tears, Blinding Lights, and Without a Warning. The finale filled the dome with fireworks and pyro, sealing the night as one to remember and definitely making my favourite concerts list.
If Tesfaye is truly closing the chapter on The Weeknd, his Toronto show proved he’s doing it at the height of his power, and with his city behind him every step of the way.
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