The Weeknd is showing the world how to put on a show.
Back in July 2022, The Weeknd kicked off his After Hours Til Dawn Tour. Through the singer’s partnership with Binance, it marked the first global concert tour to integrate Web 3.0 technology for an enhanced fan experience, as previously shared by AfroTech.
As the tour is coming to a close, it’s heading out with history attached to it.
The Weeknd’s SoFi Stadium show raked in over $11 million — making it the highest-grossing show by a Black artist in history, according to Boardroom.
The show held on Sept. 2 sold 49,324 tickets. It was his first of two shows at the SoFi Stadium, but the second on Sept. 3 was abruptly cut short after he lost his voice, Daily Breeze reported.
“My voice went out during the first song and I’m devastated. Felt it go and my heart dropped. My deepest apologies to my fans here. I promise I’ll make it up to you with a new date,” The Weeknd said in a statement, per the outlet.
The Weeknd kept his word and is closing out the tour at the L.A. stadium on Nov. 26 and 27.
Partial funds from the historic show, as well as the other tour stops, are going toward a good cause.
After The Weeknd partnered with The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to launch the XO Humanitarian Fund, he donated $500,000 and committed $1 from each concert ticket sold in North America, as previously reported by AfroTech. Additionally, The World Food Programme donated $1 million to the fund.
“The goal with this fund is to provide immediate life-saving support to people who are on the brink of starvation,” The Weeknd shared in a statement at the time. “I’m so thankful to have WFP as a partner and to further expand our reach to those who need it most.”
