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The Weeknd's After Hours Til Dawn Tour Outfits: The Cinematic Evolution Of Abel Tesfaye's Iconic Style

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The Weeknd's concert outfits are never just clothes; they are meticulously crafted costumes that serve as the visual backbone for his evolving cinematic universe, and the most recent looks from the After Hours Til Dawn Tour continue this tradition with a stunning, high-concept flair. As of late 2024, the global stadium tour has showcased a stylistic evolution, transitioning from the blood-soaked chaos of the After Hours era to the stark, apocalyptic grandeur of the Dawn FM narrative, all told through his stage wear.

The latest iteration of Abel Tesfaye's on-stage persona sees him shedding the famous red blazer for new monochromatic looks—a narrative decision that marks a profound shift in the story he tells his fans. Each garment, from the custom-designed jackets to the signature accessories, is a key entity in the overarching lore of The Weeknd, making his concert fashion a must-see spectacle that is both high fashion and high concept.

Abel Tesfaye: Biography and Profile

The man behind The Weeknd persona is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, a Canadian artist whose work spans music, film, and fashion. His career is defined by a dark, brooding aesthetic and a signature blend of R&B, pop, and hip-hop. His biography is a testament to his creative control and evolution:

  • Full Name: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
  • Born: February 16, 1990
  • Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Parents: Makkonen and Samra Tesfaye (Ethiopian immigrants)
  • Stage Name Origin: Tesfaye reportedly dropped out of high school, "left one weekend and never came home," inspiring the name, though he intentionally dropped the "e" to avoid trademark issues with a Canadian band.
  • Occupations: Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Actor, Businessman (Co-founder of XO Records)
  • Key Albums: Trilogy (2012), Beauty Behind the Madness (2015), Starboy (2016), After Hours (2020), Dawn FM (2022)
  • Awards: Multiple Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and an Academy Award nomination.

The After Hours Til Dawn Tour: Three Defining Looks

The After Hours Til Dawn Tour, which began in 2022 and continued into 2024 with international legs, is a visual masterpiece designed by Production Designer Es Devlin and features costume concepts by Christian Cordella and others. The stage outfits are meticulously designed to reflect the transition from the chaotic, drunken character of the After Hours album to the purgatorial, reflective soul of Dawn FM. This evolution is primarily seen through three distinct, monochromatic fits.

1. The Iconic Red Suit: The After Hours Persona

The Red Suit is arguably The Weeknd's most recognizable and enduring costume entity. It was the centerpiece of the After Hours album cycle, the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show, and the first leg of the tour, symbolizing the character's hedonistic, troubled journey through Las Vegas.

  • Symbolism: The suit represents the character's descent into madness and is often seen covered in "blood" or bruises, a nod to his cinematic influences and the dark narrative of "Blinding Lights."
  • The Detail: The look is a sharp, vintage-inspired red blazer and trousers, often paired with black leather gloves and, initially, the character's battered, bandaged face. The suit itself is a custom piece, with the artist reportedly owning 12 identical versions to handle the demands of touring and performances.
  • Tour Progression: On the After Hours Til Dawn Tour, the Red Suit's appearance became more sporadic or was used in the opening segments, signaling the character's metaphorical "death" or abandonment of that persona as the show progressed into the Dawn FM era.

2. The Monochromatic Black Look: Apocalyptic Transition

For the majority of the tour's setlist, particularly during the transition from After Hours to the main Dawn FM section, The Weeknd introduced a stark, all-black ensemble. This look is heavily influenced by a futuristic, almost military-inspired aesthetic, fitting the desolate, post-apocalyptic stage design featuring a giant moon and cityscape.

  • Key Pieces: The outfit is typically a custom black utility jacket or a sleek, high-neck black top, paired with matching trousers and boots. The look is entirely monochromatic, emphasizing the seriousness and gravity of the character's new journey.
  • The Mask/Helmet: A crucial accessory to the black outfit is the metallic, sometimes chrome or mirrored, mask or helmet. This accessory, which covers the face, reinforces the idea of anonymity and the character's transformation, distancing him from the recognizable Red Suit persona. It also ties into the futuristic, Hajime Sorayama-esque themes that have been part of The Weeknd's visual collaborations.
  • Fan Reception: Many fans on platforms like Reddit preferred the all-black look for its "better vibe overall," feeling it more closely aligned with the darker, more introspective sound of the music performed live.

3. The Stark White Ensemble: Dawn FM’s Purgatory

In certain legs of the tour, particularly those with daytime shows or a focus on the brighter, spiritual themes of Dawn FM, The Weeknd switched to a contrasting all-white outfit. This look is the complete antithesis of the Red Suit, symbolizing a cleansing or a move toward the light.

  • Symbolism: The white color palette represents purity, a spiritual awakening, or the purgatorial state described in the Dawn FM album. It visually connects the character to the light source of the stage, especially the massive moon and the light towers.
  • Aesthetic: Similar to the black look, the white ensemble maintains a utilitarian, almost astronaut-like quality, often featuring a white bomber jacket or a structured coat. This monochromatic fit allows the dramatic stage lighting to create deep shadows and highlights, enhancing the cinematic feel.
  • Context: This outfit was noted for being particularly fitting for shows that took place during daylight, where the white fabric could stand out and reflect the natural light, aligning the character with the "dawn" theme of the tour.

The Weeknd’s Fashion Legacy: Topical Authority and LSI Keywords

The current tour outfits are the culmination of a decade-long stylistic evolution that leverages fashion as a storytelling tool. The Weeknd, or Abel Tesfaye, is a master of the monochromatic fit, using single color palettes to define entire musical eras.

The use of specific design entities like Christian Cordella for costume concepts and the involvement of Erin Benach in costume design elevates the fashion from concert wear to genuine costume art.

His fashion choices often draw from a pool of strong LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords that fans consistently associate with his brand, known as XO: military-inspired jackets (a nod to his *Starboy* era), varsity jackets, black satin bomber jackets, and the consistent use of leather and dark hues. These elements are frequently seen in The Weeknd merchandise and fan concert outfit inspiration, reinforcing the strength of his visual identity. Whether he’s wearing the iconic red suit or the sleek black outfit, The Weeknd’s stage presence is a carefully controlled narrative, making his concert outfits an essential chapter in the cinematic universe of Abel Tesfaye.

the weeknd concert outfits
the weeknd concert outfits

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