As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of music streaming under my belt, I must say that The Weeknd‘s Billions Club Live event was nothing short of extraordinary! Being one of his top listeners, I felt like a VIP as I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow superfans, all of us singing our hearts out to every word.
In response to discussions about superfans and the music industry’s responsibility towards artists’ most dedicated supporters, The Weeknd decided to act upon this idea. Joining forces with Spotify, he transformed a hangar at Santa Monica airport into an intimate concert venue on December 17th. Invitations were sent out to The Weeknd’s top listeners, many of whom arrived early in the morning to secure their entry and prime viewing spots.
The first-ever live event from Spotify’s Billions Club, a milestone achieved by artists who have surpassed one billion streams on the platform, is an expansion of the original club. Notable members include Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish, and Tyler the Creator, but The Weeknd, with 24 songs in the Billions Club and holding the title for the most-streamed song currently on Spotify (“Blinding Lights” in 2020), seemed like an obvious pick to kick off this live series.
The hangar was transformed into a dark, moody expanse, fitting for The Weeknd’s style of music. Fans went wild when the Grammy-winning singer ascended the catwalk stage, flanked by audience members on all sides. No backup vocalists required, the singalongs were so impassioned — the crowd knew every line, including to his latest singles “São Paolo” and “Timeless” — that they perfectly complemented the singer’s soulful delivery. It was a vibe of shared love. The Weeknd himself acknowledged the moment. “What I love about the Billions Club is that everybody knows these songs,” he said from the stage.
On this occasion, The Weeknd seemed determined to recoup lost moments by meticulously selecting a playlist brimming with fan favorites. Indeed, he succeeded, treating the audience to “Can’t Feel My Face,” “Blinding Lights,” “Starboy,” “The Hills,” “Earned It,” “I Feel It Coming,” and “Save Your Tears.” The connection was palpable as the artist exclaimed his affection, shouting, “I truly adore you!” before exiting the stage.
The Weeknd is gearing up for the launch of his upcoming album, titled “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” on January 24th. This record marks the conclusion of his album trilogy, which began with 2022’s “Dawn FM” and continued in 2020 with “After Hours.” The following day, he is scheduled to give a one-time performance at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-19 05:24