After years of absence and a previously cancelled performance, The Weeknd finally returned to Montreal on July 24th with a long-awaited, high-production spectacle at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Drawing a crowd of over 45,000 fans, the show marked a triumphant homecoming for the Toronto-born superstar—one that fused theatrical visuals, emotional nostalgia, and an unmistakable connection with the city that has long embraced him.
From the opening moments of the set, it was clear this was no ordinary tour stop. Emerging under moody red lighting to the haunting tones of “The Abyss,” The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) set the tone for an immersive journey that spanned his decade-long discography. His stage, designed in the shape of a glowing cruciform with gold motifs and dystopian backdrops, mirrored the narrative tension of his After Hours til Dawn tour while also serving as a symbolic platform for rebirth in a city that has waited patiently for his return.
Addressing the crowd multiple times in French, he leaned into the local culture with ease, earning roars of appreciation. “Montreal feels like home,” he said with sincerity midway through the set, a line that echoed with particular weight considering his cancelled 2022 Bell Centre show, which left many fans disheartened. Thursday’s performance felt like a sincere attempt at redemption—and it delivered.
The nearly two-hour setlist balanced his most iconic hits with newer material from his latest album Hurry Up Tomorrow, showcasing both his sonic evolution and vocal consistency. Songs like “Starboy,” “The Hills,” and “Can’t Feel My Face” ignited massive sing-alongs, while deeper cuts like “After Hours” and “House of Balloons” reminded long-time fans of his genre-defying roots.
Yet it was a moment of unexpected synchronicity that elevated the show into the realm of the unforgettable. As The Weeknd performed his Daft Punk collaboration “I Feel It Coming,” fireworks erupted on the horizon—part of Montreal’s weekly summer fireworks festival at La Ronde. The timing was serendipitous, casting bursts of color above the crowd, amplifying the already dreamlike atmosphere. It was the kind of unplanned magic that can’t be choreographed—a moment where city, song, and artist aligned in perfect harmony.
The production was, in typical Weeknd fashion, grand in scale and cinematic in delivery: fire bursts punctuated tracks like “The Hills,” LED wristbands bathed the crowd in synchronized light, and a colossal golden statue loomed centerstage. Still, despite the scale, the show never lost its emotional core. Whether performing heartbreak ballads or synth-heavy anthems, Tesfaye‘s voice remained the anchor, raw and resonant.
In the end, The Weeknd’s return to Montreal wasn’t just a performance—it was a statement. A reconciliation. A spectacle. And perhaps most of all, a celebration of an artist who, despite global fame, still knows how to come home and make it count.
See all the photos of the concert below by Drew Halle: Website // Instagram
