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Rb Hip Hop
The Weeknd Sets a Record For Most Shows By a Canadian Artist at Toronto's Rogers Centre
The Weeknd played four shows on his After Hours Til Dawn Tour at the baseball stadium, and also set a record for most sold-out concerts by a solo male artist at the venue.
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The Weeknd has made history in his hometown.
The artist born Abel Tesfaye has set a record for most shows by a Canadian artist at the Rogers Centre, the Toronto stadium that is also home to the Blue Jays. He also set a record for most shows at the venue by a male solo artist on the same tour.
The Weeknd just wrapped up four dates at the venue he still calls by its classic name, SkyDome — all sold out.
"We sold out the SkyDome, four nights. This is the last show," he said last night, August 8, before launching into "Take My Breath."
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"I just have one favour to ask you. I want them to hear us all the way from Scarborough, all the way from Mississauga."
The Weeknd at Rogers Centre in Toronto on August 8, 2025.Hyghly Alleyne, Courtesy XO Records
It's likely the Scarborough-born Tesfaye's last hometown concert under the name The Weeknd, which he has teased he is retiring after this After Hours Til Dawn Tour. At these shows, which took place July 27-28 and August 7-8, he made his time here count.
Last night (August 8), The Weeknd invited youth from the Boys and Girls Club of West Scarborough to join him backstage, and CBC News caught their reactions.
On Wednesday (August 6), Tesfaye hosted a special Ethiopian coffee ceremony with his mother Samra and family in celebration of his Samra Origins collaboration with Nespresso.
The previous weekend, in advance of his first two shows, Tesfaye received the key to the city of Toronto from Mayor Olivia Chow. At the ceremony, he and Live Nation committed to support the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough, helping to revitalize the basketball court and bring a mobile recording studio to the organization that helped shape him. He's also supporting Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute, helping to build a media arts and robotics computer lab, a dedicated dance and arts studio and a sensory room for students with developmental disabilities.
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The After Hours Til Dawn tour is an ambitious and high-concept show complete with masks, costumes and a giant "Sexy Robot" statuette, but Tesfaye has given plenty of glimpses behind his Weeknd persona at these Toronto shows. He's been visibly moved by the reaction from his hometown fans, who have been loud throughout — but especially last night.
"Sounded like it might be the best night of the whole m—ing tour tonight, huh?" he said.
The Weeknd project began in Toronto 15 years ago, and it may be moving onto a new phase soon. In the meantime, Tesfaye made sure to give it a proper sendoff.
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