On the night of Oct. 24, Kai Tak Stadium was full. The Weeknd brought his “After Hours Til Dawn Tour” to Hong Kong. It was one stop on his Asia tour and his first show in the city in years. The venue was covered in his iconic red and black visuals, from the entrances to the stage setup. You could feel the fans’ energy everywhere.
This was more than just a tour stop for a global star in Hong Kong. The Weeknd premiered a new song, “Hong Kong,” with no warning. The song samples Faye Wong’s 1993 Cantonese classic “Seasonal Wind.” A special music video shot in Hong Kong played on the big screen at the same time, with Wong Kar-wai-style jump cuts mixed with Victoria Harbour night views. This was not a normal tour stop. It was a cultural collaboration made for Hong Kong. Through it, the city showed the world not just its ability to host big events, but also its charm as a city that can connect deeply with global pop culture.
Fans from around the world filled Kai Tak. Mainland cross-border visitors were still the biggest group. Direct cross-border buses between Hong Kong and Shenzhen and quick immigration made “leave Shenzhen in the afternoon, watch a show in Hong Kong at night” a real option. This alone shows Hong Kong can handle a world-class event of this size.
“We came from Shenzhen Bay at 1 p.m. today. It was very easy the whole way, and immigration was fast. The bus ride was maybe just over an hour in total, and we still had time to see Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui,” said Monika Yang, a mainland visitor.
After leaving the MTR station and following the official signs, getting in was so smooth we barely had to stop and ask for directions. No one cut in line, and there were no crowds. Red and black signs guided people all the way into the venue. Staff were at their posts the whole time, and the stage finished its final adjustments before the show. For fans in less-than-ideal seats, the view was much better than expected. “We started buying tickets back in August and were a little worried about being this far back, but tonight was a big surprise. Nothing blocked our view, and we had a great time with Abel!! He was as good as always tonight,” said Cristina, 23, a mainland university student, still excited as she left.
About an hour into the show, a familiar melody suddenly came up: Faye Wong’s “Seasonal Wind.” Hong Kong-themed images lit up the screen at the same time. The crowd paused for a moment to recognize it, then burst into screams and applause. “I really didn’t expect The Weeknd to use Faye Wong’s demo. They are both my favorite artists, and seeing this premiere here today is just unbelievable,” said Justin Wong, 36, a local fan. “Seasonal Wind” is a shared memory for many Hong Kongers born in the 1980s. The Weeknd’s version, “Hong Kong,” puts Cantonese pop melody into dark R&B and psychedelic beats, and it works perfectly. A Hong Kong base, a Western frame, a cultural mix that needs no translation. This kind of collaboration can bring him more fans in Hong Kong and the mainland, and it can also raise Hong Kong’s place in global culture.
After hit after hit, the show neared its end. Many cities face traffic problems after big concerts, or trouble for nearby residents. Kai Tak did not. After the show, order stayed calm, and different kinds of transport ran smoothly. At least on this night, Hong Kong proved it can not only “catch” a global star’s premiere, but also move 40,000 people in and out smoothly.