[Review] The Weeknd Lets Go of His Persona and Reveals the Man Under the Mask During Detroit Show at Ford Field for After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour

Photo credit: Hyghly Alleyne 

While writing this, it’s taking everything in me not to buy a ticket for Night 2 of The Weeknd in Detroit. I’m still riding the high from his first of two nights in the city for his 2025 After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour.

It’s crazy to think this is the last Weeknd tour I’ll ever see — and technically, it will be. While Hurry Up Tomorrow is the final album he’ll release under the moniker “The Weeknd,” he didn’t follow the trend many artists with large catalogs are embracing — their own version of an “Eras Tour.” This tour is clearly focused on his latest trilogy: After Hours, Dawn FM, and Hurry Up Tomorrow. However, since this was only the second show, it seems like he’s still experimenting with the setlist. He added “Kiss Land,” which felt like justice for such an underrated album. He also included songs from his debut project House of Balloons, such as “The Morning.” I remember when everyone’s status message was “the money is the motive” — major nostalgia vibes.

A really sweet moment came when The Weeknd acknowledged something he had said the last time he played Detroit, back in July 2022. He said that the next time he came, he’d play two nights. He brought it up again, saying last time he was here, he said he would play two nights, and now he was doing it. I distinctly remember him saying that during the last tour. The fact that he brought it up again showed me that these shows aren’t just cookie-cutter moments — they’re just as important and memorable for him as they are for his fans.

There’s a moment in the show, similar to his last tour, when The Weeknd removes the mask he wears during the first few songs. This time, it felt different. When he took off the mask, he had the biggest smile on his face and raised his hands for applause. It seemed to symbolize the shedding of The Weeknd persona and the pure joy of Abel. That feeling was solidified when he ended the show by saying, “I go by the name of Abel Tesfaye,” using his birth name instead of signing off as The Weeknd.

I’m excited to see what’s next. Whatever it is, I know I’ll be in the stadium again, enjoying the show.

Detroit Night 1 Setlist

  1. The Abyss
  2. Wake Me Up(alternative intro, shortened)
  3. After Hours(shortened)
  4. Starboy(shortened)
  5. Heartless
  6. Faith(over outro of “Heartless”)
  7. Take My Breath
  8. Sacrifice(Swedish House Mafia remix)
  9. How Do I Make You Love Me?
  10. Can’t Feel My Face
  11. Lost in the Fire(Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd song)
  12. Kiss Land(shortened)
  13. Often(shortened)
  14. Given Up on Me(first half only)
  15. I Was Never There
  16. Given Up on Me(second half)
  17. The Hills
  18. Baptized in Fear
  19. Open Hearts(shortened)
  20. Cry for Me
  21. I Can’t Fucking Sing(snippet)
  22. São Paulo(second half only)
  23. Until We’re Skin & Bones
  24. Timeless(with Playboi Carti)
  25. RATHER LIE(Playboi Carti cover) (with Playboi Carti)
  26. Creepin’(Metro Boomin cover)
  27. Niagara Falls
  28. One of the Girls
  29. Out of Time
  30. I Feel It Coming(snippets of “Opening Night” sung at the end”)
  31. Die for You(new alternative intro)
  32. Is There Someone Else?
  33. Wicked Games
  34. Call Out My Name
  35. The Morning
  36. Save Your Tears
  37. Less Than Zero
  38. Blinding Lights
  39. Without a Warning(With elements of “In Heaven”)
  40. Reflections Laughing(Live debut)
  41. High for This(First live performance in North America since 2016)
  42. Moth to a Flame(Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd song)

Detroit Night 2 Setlist

  1. The Abyss
  2. Wake Me Up
  3. After Hours(Shortened)
  4. Starboy(Shortened)
  5. Heartless
  6. Faith(Over outro of “Heartless”)
  7. Take My Breath
  8. Sacrifice(Swedish house mafia remix)
  9. How Do I Make You Love Me?
  10. Can’t Feel My Face
  11. Lost in the Fire(Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd song)
  12. Kiss Land(Shortened)
  13. Often(Shortened)
  14. Given Up on Me
  15. I Was Never There
  16. The Hills
  17. Baptized in Fear
  18. Open Hearts(Shortened)
  19. Cry for Me
  20. São Paulo(Second half only)
  21. Until We’re Skin & Bones
  22. Timeless(with Playboi Carti)
  23. RATHER LIE(Playboi Carti cover) (with Playboi Carti)
  24. Creepin’(Metro Boomin cover)
  25. Niagara Falls
  26. One of the Girls
  27. Stargirl Interlude(The Weeknd took a bathroom break; the band played the song)
  28. Out of Time
  29. I Feel It Coming
  30. Die for You
  31. Is There Someone Else?
  32. Wicked Games
  33. Call Out My Name
  34. The Morning
  35. Save Your Tears(Shortened)
  36. Less Than Zero
  37. Blinding Lights
  38. Without a Warning
  39. Reflections Laughing
  40. High for This
  41. House of Balloons(First live performance in North America since 2014; only first half)
  42. Moth to a Flame(Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd song)