The Weeknd is set to return to Australia in October 2024, bringing his own After Hours Til Dawn stadium tour Down Under after first postponing and then canceling his 2023 dates.
The Australia and New Zealand leg was originally planned as one of the final legs of his world tour before those dates were booked.
The Canadian R&B superstar, born Abel Tesfaye, will kick off the 2024 leg on October 5 at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, with a second show on October 6, before heading to Sydney for back-to-back shows at Accor Stadium in October. 22 and 23.
These will be The Weeknd's first stadium shows in Australia and his first visit since 2017. Special guests Mike Dean and Chxrry22, along with Australian DJ and singer, Anna Lunoe, will join him on all dates in Australia in 2024.
However, fans in Brisbane and New Zealand, who were included in the canceled 2023 tour, will be disappointed to learn that these locations are not part of the 2024 itinerary.
According to a statement from the tour's press release: “Due to scheduling and logistical constraints, the 'After Hours 'Til Dawn' tour will not be coming to New Zealand or Brisbane in 2024, and no additional cities will be added.”
This decision has sparked a backlash on social media, with fans expressing their disappointment at the cancellation of their concerts from 2024.
One commenter noted on Reddit, “Not sure what logistics they're trying to blame for not coming to Brisbane or even New Zealand. Suncorp Stadium has literally no event booked in October apart from Travis Scott's show at the end of the month.” Another added: “Obviously it makes more sense to fly to Australia, fly back to the US, fly back to Australia and then fly again.”
Before announcing the 2024 Australian dates, The Weeknd performed numerous sold-out shows across the United States as part of After Hours Til Dawn tour.
The US leg included notable performances at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where fans were treated to a setlist of hits from After Hours and Dawn FM.
In a statement about his upcoming shows in Australia this October, The Weeknd said: “I feel a strong pull to perform in Australia before I move on to the next chapter and I want to make sure you all know I haven't forgotten about you. When I come back now, it will be the right time and I promise it will be such a special experience. I can't wait to see you all!”
For 2023 ticket holders, a special 'Buyer's Presale' will be available, offering the first opportunity to secure tickets for the upcoming Australian tour dates.
The Weeknd's After Hours Til Dawn The tour was a global success, with over 60 sold out stadium dates and over 3 million attendees across North America, Europe, the UK and Latin America. The tour also broke attendance records, including a two-day London stadium run that drew 160,000 fans.
In other recent news, it was revealed earlier this month that The Weeknd will be returning Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood on September 5 with The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogyan immersive haunted house experience with music by The Weeknd and Mike Dean.
It follows the success of 2022 Nightmare After Hours attraction, inspired by his Billboard 200 topping album After Hours.
The Weeknd After Hours Til Dawn Australia Tour Dates 2024:
October 5 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
October 6 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
October 22 – Accor Stadium, Sydney
October 23 – Accor Stadium, Sydney
