Milwaukee and Chicago may have their differences, our sports teams and
drivers can’t stand each other, our cheese standards are wildly unequal, and
deep-dish pizza is... well, not for everyone. But sometimes, Illinois gives us
something worth crossing the border for. On Friday night, that something was
The Weeknd.
With 60,000 fans packed into Soldier Field, a venue he’s now sold out
multiple times, Abel Tesfaye brought his After Hours Til Dawn tour back to
the Windy City for a show that was somehow even more ambitious than last
time. From larger-than-life dark and twisted visuals to years of hit singles,
here are 8 reasons why you absolutely should have made the drive:
1. The Weeknd turned Soldier Field into a Cyberpunk Cathedral
Before a single lyric was sung, the setting told you this was going to be more
than just a concert. Towering metallic structures complemented an enormous
screen while ruined skyscrapers created the illusion of a fallen city. At the
50-yard-line a glowing, humanoid robot by Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama
loomed over the crowd like a futuristic guardian angel, its chrome frame
pulsing with reflecting light.
With lasers cutting through the sky and eerie synths echoing across Lake
Michigan, it felt like we were inside a neon-drenched video game, except the
soundtrack was a greatest hits album and every player was dancing.
2. His chrome-faced entrance gave us major "final boss" energy
When The Weeknd finally appeared, flanked by an army of red-robed masked
figures, he didn’t just walk out. He arrived. Wearing a futuristic black cloak
with gold trim and a chrome mask with glowing blue eyes, he looked like a mix
between Dr. Doom and Daft Punk’s more intimidating cousin.
As the beat of “The Abyss” dropped, his glowing mask lit up for the crowd. It
was bold, ominous, and unforgettable.
3. The tour’s pyro could have started a second Chicago fire
You know it’s a good show when people in the 400 level feel the heat. During
“The Hills,” flames erupted with such force and frequency that you
half-expected the Bears’ turf to catch fire. Every fireball felt perfectly timed,
turning the already explosive track into a literal scorcher.
Lasers crisscrossed through smoke while synchronized flames burst up from
every inch of the massive catwalk. Somewhere, Mrs. O’Leary’s cow was
nervously sweating.
4. The stage’s massive catwalk gave everyone a great view of the show
Spanning nearly the length and width of the field in the shape of a glowing
cross, The Weeknd’s catwalk wasn’t just a piece of stage design, it was a full-on
architectural statement. It ensured fans in every section felt connected to the
action, and it allowed Abel to move like a preacher in his post-apocalyptic
megachurch.
Whether he was singing “Sacrifice” to the sky or walking toward the robotic
centerpiece during “Faith,” every motion felt intentional and cinematic.
5. He let the music do the talking for two hours straight
Unlike some artists who break up their sets with banter and crowd games, The
Weeknd kept it focused and flowing. From the opening synths to the closing
moments, he performed for two hours with almost no breaks and few words
spoken. The message was clear: let the music speak.
6. His falsetto floated through the crisp Chicago air
Despite all the visuals, fire, lasers, and theatrics, the vocals were still the
star(boy) of the show. The Weeknd’s voice, especially his signature falsetto,
pierced through the night like a beacon. Whether on stripped-down moments
like “Call Out My Name” or explosive bangers like “Blinding Lights,” his live
vocals were flawless.
7. The concert was a cinematic sci-fi opera
With masked figures, futuristic visuals, and a robot watching over the crowd like a digital god, last night was a dystopian movie brought to life. The setlist
followed a clear emotional arc, blending heartbreak, hedonism, and high-tech
fantasy. It felt less like a pop concert and more like Blade Runner with a chart-topping
soundtrack.
8. He raised the bar yet again
After already delivering one of the most visually stunning tours in recent
memory, The Weeknd somehow found a way to go bigger. Two nights at
Soldier Field and enough visual ambition to rival most sci-fi films.
Next time you see a Weeknd tour stop within driving distance of Milwaukee,
don’t hesitate. Just grab the keys, fill up your tank and make the trip. The 414
will understand!
