August 27, 2025
The Weeknd stunned fans with a surprise concert in Los Angeles on August 26, 2025, celebrating the third anniversary of his album Dawn FM. Billboard reported that the 35-year-old singer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, announced the one-night-only event just hours before via X, drawing thousands to a pop-up venue. The electrifying performance, featuring rare live renditions of Dawn FM tracks and hints of new material, has sparked a frenzy online.
The show, held at a transformed warehouse, leaned into the album’s retro-futuristic aesthetic with neon visuals and a surprise appearance by Jim Carrey, who narrated parts of the set. Rolling Stone called it “a cinematic triumph,” praising The Weeknd’s vocal intensity and stage presence. Fans on X went wild, with one posting, “The Weeknd’s Dawn FManniversary show was unreal! New music teases? I’m not okay!” Another wrote, “Jim Carrey popping up was iconic. Abel’s on another level.”
The concert follows The Weeknd’s packed year, including his global stadium tour and work on his upcoming HBO series. Some X users speculated about a new album, with one noting, “Those unreleased tracks sound huge. 2025’s about to be Abel’s year again.” The event’s exclusivity drew minor complaints, with a user commenting, “Wish more fans could’ve gotten tickets, but what a night!”
As clips of the performance dominate social media, The Weeknd’s surprise show has cemented his status as a live-performance titan. The event sets the stage for what’s next in his evolving career. For updates on his music and future shows, follow Pitchfork or Variety.