The Weeknd wows Hong Kong fans with tribute song sampling Faye Wong classic

Canadian pop star The Weeknd wowed a packed audience in Hong Kong with a new song paying tribute to the city, eliciting a wave of emotion from fans. Performer Abel Tesfaye, known professionally as The Weeknd, debuted the track "Hong Kong" at a concert at Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday night, marking the first of four shows in the city under the "After Hours Til Dawn Tour" world tour. The enthusiastic crowd, comprising tens of thousands of fans, responded with a blend of awe and cheers.

The new single sampled from Faye Wong's 1993 Cantopop ballad "Seasonal Wind" or "Monsoon," known for its melancholic tone. Tesfaye has previously acknowledged the influence of Hong Kong culture on his music and expressed admiration for Wong's work. During the performance, a video backdrop showcased Hong Kong's iconic landmarks, such as the Victoria Harbour skyline, traditional junk boats, bustling alleys, vintage red taxis, and other classic sights like roasted chestnut hawkers and neon signs in Mong Kok.

Fans on social media expressed their admiration for the song and its evocation of Hong Kong's essence. Many were deeply moved by the combination of beautiful cinematography and the crowd's emotional reactions, with some even crying at the memory of the city they can never revisit. The concert's recording garnered approximately 9.3 million views, 600,000 likes, and 5,600 comments within the first hours after upload. The Weeknd's tour continues with subsequent shows scheduled for October 30 and 31.