Within the digital streaming period, one of many largest flexes an artist can have is being a member of Spotify’s Billions Membership, a playlist that highlights each track that has been streamed greater than 1 billion instances on the platform. Among the many almost 500 artists who’ve graced the glorified record are Mariah Carey (“All I Want for Christmas Is You”), Rihanna (“Needed Me”), Fleetwood Mac (“Dreams”), Kendrick Lamar (“All the Stars” that includes SZA), Billie Eilish (“Ocean Eyes”), however the distinction of getting essentially the most tracks — 24 to be actual — to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify belongs to the Weeknd.
To commemorate this milestone, the Toronto pop star teamed up with Spotify to host an intimate, invite-only live performance with almost 2,000 of his largest followers — his high 10% listeners on the platform — on Tuesday night time on the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
“It’s a little holiday gift for the OG XO fans supporting me [since] Day 1,” the Weeknd stated throughout his 70-minute set. “2024 is almost done, but 2025, we got some new s— coming out. New album. New tour. New movie. New everything. We’re shutting this s— down.” His upcoming album “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” which is the third and last installment of his “After Hours” / “Dawn FM” trilogy,” will likely be supported by a psychological thriller starring the singer born Abel Tesfaye, alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.
With the help of his longtime collaborator Mike Dean (on the keys) and guitarist Patrick Greenaway, the Weeknd carried out 20 of the 24 songs that landed him on the Billions Membership playlist together with “Blinding Lights” (essentially the most streamed track on Spotify), “The Hills,” “Can’t Feel My Face,” and “After Hours.” He additionally carried out three extra songs for the energetic crowd, who knew each phrase, together with “São Paulo,” “Timeless,” and “Wicked Games.”
“I know that song didn’t hit a billion, but I felt like I had to do it,” he stated about “Wicked Games.” “It’s necessary, at least one ‘House of Balloons’ song.”
Followers began lining up in a single day at 4 a.m. for the extremely anticipated present and some of us traveled from Newark, N.J., for the possibility to get inside although they didn’t have tickets to the occasion. (Sadly, the aforementioned Jersey followers didn’t make it inside as a result of they didn’t have a ticket.) The particular night time featured meals vans together with L.A.’s beloved Kogi Korean BBQ, an open bar (for attendees 21 and up) and the Weeknd merchandise — all of which was free to attendees.
Followers take photographs on the Weeknd’s present with Spotify on Tuesday on the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
For a world celebrity just like the Weeknd, who commonly sells out arenas and stadiums across the globe, the occasion was an opportunity for followers to expertise his music in a private setting. In actual fact, it was seemingly the primary time since his early days that he’s carried out for an viewers of fewer than 2,000 individuals. “It feels like back in the ‘Kiss Land’ tour,” he stated. “Maybe after the stadium tour, we’ll go back to smaller venues. I like this.”
Ashley Graver, who leads artist partnerships and is head of pop, dance and indie at Spotify, says the Weeknd and his staff have been concerned all through your entire means of placing collectively the present, together with on the merch design, stage and sound design.
“This milestone really shows how massive the Weeknd’s impact is around the world,” she stated. “His success is a testament to his artistry and his constant drive to push creative boundaries. Right now, ‘Blinding Lights’ is the most-streamed song on Spotify, even four years after it came out, which just goes to show how much staying power he has and how loyal his fans are.”
Earlier than the present, we caught up with attendees to ask them about their fandom and what it means to be invited to such an unique occasion.
Elijah Shen Muralles, 21, left, and Cole Dizon, 20, attend the Weeknd’s present with Spotify on Tuesday in Santa Monica.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
Cole Dizon and Elijah Shen Muralles
Age: Dizon: 20 Shen Muralles: 21
Neighborhood: Dizon: Lancaster Shen Muralles: South Gate
How lengthy have you ever been a fan of the Weeknd? Dizon: About two years in the past, certainly one of my associates confirmed me just a few songs — among the mainstream ones like “Die For You” and “Blinding Lights.” I knew he was a family identify, however as soon as I began entering into the groove of it, I used to be like “OK, he’s pretty good.” Ultimately, I went to his Spotify profile and began listening to extra of his songs. I used to be like, “Hold on. I can see why he’s so popular. The trend has motion to it.” So I began listening to him increasingly more.
Shen Muralles: I’d hear him right here and there and he was all the time one of many massive celebrities, however I didn’t actually get deep into it till perhaps like a yr or two in the past. My pal was simply blasting his music on a regular basis and I used to be like, “You know what, I’m going to hear this artist out.” After just a few songs, I noticed, “Oh my gosh. He’s one of the best sounding artists I’ve ever heard. I should’ve hopped onto the bandwagon sooner.”
What’s your favourite track by the Weeknd? Dizon: “I Feel It Coming.” Daft Punk is a basic. When the track dropped, I wasn’t on the bandwagon but however listening to it not too long ago I used to be like, first off, I bear in mind this track. [Secondly], I’ve been sleeping on this as a result of that is straight warmth.
Shen Muralles: “House of Balloons.” I’m a giant fan of the primary half. The second half continues to be actually good. Nevertheless, I feel the primary half, it’s simply the beat, the lyrics, it actually simply will get me within the temper. Additionally, “Stargirl Interlude.” I’m a little bit of a Lana Del Rey fan. Her voice simply arduous carries that track.
Shen Muralles: I’m not one to drop an entire lot of cash to go to live shows, so to get to come back to one thing like this with Spotify is like, “Wow, this is crazy.” I’m simply so grateful to be right here as a result of this is sort of a as soon as in a lifetime alternative for me… It is a Christmas reward proper right here.
Mates America Maldonado, left, Maya Garcia and Kessai Suksanguan have been among the many first individuals in line on the Weeknd’s Spotify present in Santa Monica.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
America Maldonado, Maya Garcia and Kessai Suksanguan
Age:Maldonado: 21 Garcia: 21Suksanguan: 19
Neighborhood: Maldonado: Downtown L.A. Garcia: Bellflower Suksanguan: Lengthy Seaside
How lengthy have you ever been a fan of the Weeknd? Maldonado: Since I used to be 13. I’d take heed to his mixtapes.
Garcia: In all probability since center faculty.
Suksanguan: Round center faculty. I’d hear him lots on the radio.
What’s your favourite track by the Weeknd? Maldonado: “Adaptation.” It’s only a lovely story. Should you take heed to [the album] “Kiss Land,” each track ends and it simply continues on with the story.
Garcia: I do know it’s fundamental, however I’m going to say “Earned It.” It’s tremendous catchy and it highlights his voice, which I like.
Suksanguan: “After Hours.” I actually just like the model of that entire album and that point interval for him.
How does it really feel to be at this unique present?Maldonado: It feels wonderful. Sadly, I’ve solely seen him carry out stay twice. I’ve been listening to him for therefore lengthy, however to be part of this free occasion the place I really feel snug, is nice.
Garcia: I’m truthfully so glad that he’s doing this present in L.A. I simply love being right here in L.A.
Suksanguan: I feel it’s simply actually particular that it was free and invite solely, so it makes us really feel actually needed and actually particular. And the truth that it’s near us too, it’s actually handy.
Hamza Akmal, left, Adeeb Ali and Ameer Ali attend the Weeknd’s Billions Membership present in collaboration with Spotify on Tuesday on the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
Hamza Akmal, Adeeb Ali and Ameer Ali
Age: Ameer: 25Adeeb: 28 Akmal: 29
Neighborhood: Ameer: Whittier Adeeb: West Covina Akmal: Culver Metropolis
How lengthy have you ever been a fan of the Weeknd? Ameer: The Drake collabs made me a fan. The songs have been very distinctive. I’d by no means heard something like that on the time. Adeeb: I grew to become a fan once I heard him on “Crew Love” with Drake. I used to be like, “This guy is good.” Akmal: I grew to become a fan round highschool [around] like 2011. A few my associates favored to discover a whole lot of new music they usually instructed me to verify him out, so I’ve been listening since then.
What’s your favourite track by the Weeknd? Ameer: I’m a giant Michael Jackson fan. I like how the Weeknd did “Dirty Diana” [with his song] “D.D.” Adeeb: “Out of Time.” It’s simply so fairly. He sampled some Japanese metropolis pop and it sounded very nice. Akmal: In all probability “The Hills.” It’s simply too catchy for me. I simply love the beat of it and the whole lot.
How does it really feel to be at this unique present?Ameer: It’s thrilling. Adeeb: It appeared somewhat too good to be true. I used to be like, “Are we being set up right now?” And like, no, it’s simply tremendous cool. Akmal: Coming to this, I didn’t actually know what to anticipate, however based mostly on what I’m seeing, it’s actually cool to be right here.
Mom and daughter, Kenyah Moore, 18, and Shenita Moore, 48, attend a present placed on by Spotify to have a good time the Weeknd on Tuesday.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
Shenita and Kenyah Moore
Age: Kenyah: 18Shenita: 48
Neighborhood: Kenyah: Santa Monica Shenita: Santa Monica
How lengthy have you ever been a fan of the Weeknd? Kenyah: He’s simply all the time been there. Rising up, he’s one of the crucial fashionable artists of my technology. Shenita: I’m simply right here supporting her, however I’m acquainted with his music.
What’s your favourite track by the Weeknd? Kenyah: “In the Night.” I just like the story that it tells.
Grace Chandler, left, Jessie Sheridan and Isabella Elsesser have been among the many almost 2,000 followers who have been invited to attend the Weeknd’s Spotify present.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
Grace Chandler, Jessie Sheridan and Isabella Elsesser
Age: Chandler: 20 Sheridan: 20Elsesser: 19
Neighborhood: Chandler: Lengthy Seaside Sheridan: San Luis ObispoElsesser: Lengthy Seaside
How lengthy have you ever been a fan of the Weeknd? Chandler: It needed to have been once I was within the fifth grade when “The Hills” got here out. Everybody was singing that track and I’d play it 24/7 with my mother and my sister. Respectfully. It was simply the beat. It simply began from there.
Sheridan: Because the third grade. My sister put me on. I do not know what album it was, however that was my life. I’ve been singing his music for the reason that third grade. He’ll all the time and without end be my man.
Elsesser: I heard about him from “The Hills” however it was the Echos Remix. There’s a girl who sings it in a home, dubstep sort of manner and I used to be all the time into dubstep. I used to be like, “Yes. Yes. I love this.”
What’s your favourite track by the Weeknd? Chandler: “Stargirl Interlude” and “Save Your Tears.” Sheridan: “Stargirl Interlude.” Elsesser: “The Morning” [starts singing song]. It’s empowering. I really feel like I’m the lady. I’m like “Yeah, I’m the money. I’m the motive.” I additionally love “São Paulo” with Anitta. It’s so fireplace.
How does it really feel to be at this unique present?Chandler: Unreal! Sheridan: So thrilling. Elsesser: I’m excited to bop.
Zachary Reducing, 37, of Belmont, Calif., wears an unique hoodie from the Weeknd’s Spotify Billions Membership efficiency on Tuesday.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
Zachary Reducing
Age: 37
Neighborhood: Belmont, Calif.
How lengthy have you ever been a fan of the Weeknd? I used to be doing safety on the Fonda Theatre, however he wasn’t fashionable but. I heard him performing. He did the “Dirty Diana” track and I favored that, so from then on, I adopted his profession and I’ve been a fan ever since.
What’s your favourite track by the Weeknd? “Is There Someone Else?” Generally I be questioning… with the particular person I’m speaking to, like, “Is there someone else?” [laughs]
How does it really feel to be at this unique present?I’ve solely seen him carry out that one time, so I’m excited.
Carmen Flores, 25, and Marco De La Cruz, 26, of Maywood arrived on the Barker Hangar early so they might attend the Weeknd’s Billions Membership present with Spotify.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
Carmen Flores and Marco De La Cruz
Age: Flores: 25De La Cruz: 26
Neighborhood: Maywood
How lengthy have you ever been a fan of the Weeknd? Flores: I feel I used to be in center faculty. My sister requested if I ever heard of his music.
De La Cruz: Round 2015-2016, most likely through the “Trilogy” period.
What’s your favourite track by the Weeknd? Flores: “Faith.” To begin with, I feel it’s a really enjoyable track. Simply that means of religion and the way it transitions into [the next song, “Blinding Lights”]. It’s very underrated.
De La Cruz: “After Hours.” Simply the entire manufacturing on that track and his vocals.
How does it really feel to be at this unique present?Flores: It means the whole lot. However I will likely be seeing him once more subsequent month and I additionally noticed him with Mike Dean on March 1 on the Wiltern when he got here out with Travis Scott and it was the most effective factor ever.
David Reyes, 19, of Riverside grew to become a fan of the Weeknd after his sister put him onto the pop star’s “Starboy” album.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
David Reyes
Age: 19
Neighborhood: Riverside
How lengthy have you ever been a fan of the Weeknd? My sister put me on when “Starboy” got here out. She all the time performed it.
What’s your favourite track by the Weeknd? “Die For You” for positive. It’s only a basic. 10/10.
How does it really feel to be at this unique present?It’s very distinctive how Spotify and Abel are doing this for his followers. It’s simply cool how artists really care for his or her followers.
Catherine Carrasco, 25, and Jonathan Serna, 26, have been among the many first followers in line on the Weeknd’s unique Billions Membership present placed on by Spotify.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
Jonathan Serna and Catherine Carrasco
Age: Carrasco: 25Serna: 26
Neighborhood:Carrasco: Santa AnaSerna: Santa Ana
How lengthy have you ever been a fan of the Weeknd? Carrasco: In 2015. I used to be a sophomore in highschool. I feel the primary track that I listened to by him was “The Morning” and I acquired launched to his music by an ex-boyfriend. [laughs] I acquired this hoodie some time in the past after which his first live performance I went to was the “Starboy” [tour]. Serna: When “Starboy” launched, I stored listening to it on repeat like loopy. After that, I listened to the whole lot he’s made and I grew to become a fan. I wasn’t a giant fan till “After Hours” [though].
What’s your favourite track by the Weeknd? Carrasco: That’s such a tough query. I feel “The Birds Pt. 1” and Pt. 2. I like each track by him, however I’ve these on repeat. He’s No. 1 on my Spotify Wrapped yearly. Serna: “After Hours.” He was No. 1 on my Wrapped.
Katherine Martinez, left, Jorge Martinez and Angelina Bomar flew to L.A. from New Jersey for the possibility to attend the Weeknd’s Spotify present.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
Jorge Martinez
Age: 20
Neighborhood: We stay in Newark, N.J. I noticed a few TikToks like two days in the past in regards to the Spotify occasion. Sadly, we’re on Apple Music so we didn’t get the invite, however I used to be like perhaps Abel may cease and signal our vinyl. She has on her “After Hours” hoodie. We got here right here for the SoFi present in November for the three-year anniversary. [Then we came back for this], so we traveled a good distance.
How lengthy have you ever been a fan of the Weeknd? I’ve been a giant fan since “After Hours” got here out. It was actually good. It was a dream seeing him in live performance [at his recent show]. The subsequent dream is hopefully assembly him.
What’s your favourite track by the Weeknd? “After Hours.” The best way it slowly transitions to the beat drop — I just like the 808s.
You flew out to L.A. only for the possibility to see the present although you don’t have tickets. Why was it necessary to you? It could imply lots for us to make it inside the present and even to fulfill him, that might be wonderful too. We’re planning to perhaps fly out to the Rose Bowl present. However we acquired to attempt it out.
[Unfortunately, Jorge, his girlfriend and sister didn’t make it inside of the show because they didn’t have tickets.]
