The Weeknd Brings His After Hours Til Dawn Tour with Mike Dean and Playboi Carti to Landover Stadium
Words and photos by Thomas Sellers IV
R&B and pop sensation The Weeknd recently teamed up with legendary producer Mike Dean and hip hop star Playboi Carti to bring their incredible After Hours Til Dawn stadium tour to Northwest Stadium in the DMV.
After just releasing his new album Hurry Up Tomorrow and multiple collab hits with Playboi Carti, this show was sold out months in advance.
The stage design was insane for this production on August 2 — a giant gold statue towered over a cross-shaped stage, surrounded by a broken city design that looked straight out of a post-apocalyptic film. The visuals alone set the tone for an epic night.
The show opened with Mike Dean on the keys, where he played some of his iconic tracks like “Scream” and “Sax Selector.” It was a great way to kick off the night from a true legend in the music industry.
Next came Playboi Carti, known for his high energy and chaotic stage presence. Accompanied by a live guitarist and his DJ, Swamp Izzo, he ran out on stage to one of his biggest tracks, “Evil Jordan” — and it hit hard through the stadium speakers. The crowd was bouncing, feeling the bass in their chest and fully locked in.
With anticipation rising, The Weeknd finally appeared, walking out alongside his dancers, all dressed in striking, artistic red attire. The crowd was nearly deafening as he opened with “Abyss,” just the beginning of an unreal 41-song setlist. He glided through hits like “Starboy,” “Can’t Feel My Face,” and “The Hills.” Whether you were a day-one fan or someone who just got on board, you were immersed the entire time.
Watch the official music video for “Starboy” by The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk on YouTube:
The highlight of the night, though, was when Playboi Carti returned to perform their two hit collabs — “Timeless” and “Rather Lie.” The entire stadium screamed every lyric word-for-word, and the chemistry between them was undeniable. The Weeknd showed massive love to the crowd, using every inch of the massive stage to connect with fans in every section.
To close out a stellar night, The Weeknd performed “Moth to a Flame” accompanied by fireworks and massive pyro, delivering an unforgettable, cinematic ending to a show that already felt surreal.
This wasn’t just a concert; it was an experience. From the visuals to the guest performances to The Weeknd’s unmatched vocal control and stage presence, After Hours Til Dawn reminded the DMV why he’s one of the greatest performers of this generation.
Here are some photos of The Weeknd performing live at Northwest Stadium on August 2, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Thomas Sellers IV.
