Crowds Brave Gridlock for Final Show: Despite transport strikes and massive highway gridlock, 35,000 fans packed the Allianz Riviera to witness the final night of the After Hours Til Dawn European tour leg.
NICE, France — A sold-out crowd of over 35,000 fans packed the Allianz Riviera stadium on Wednesday night for the absolute final French stop of The Weeknd’s record-breaking global tour. The evening served as the second of a two-night spectacular in Nice. It successfully capped off a monumental summer campaign that drew over 500,000 total attendees across eight French stadium dates.
The massive turnout cemented Abel Tesfaye’s historic relationship with French audiences. However, getting to the venue proved a significant challenge for thousands of ticket holders.
Gridlock and Local Transit Disruption
The highly anticipated finale clashed with significant local transit challenges. A high-profile strike by the city’s Lignes d’Azur transit workers severely restricted municipal bus and tram networks throughout Wednesday afternoon. This public transit shortage forced thousands of concertgoers onto the roads.
The sudden influx triggered severe gridlock along the strategic A8 motorway. Highway authorities reported tailbacks lasting well into the early evening as regional fans and international tourists converged on the Saint-Isidore stadium exits. To mitigate delays, Allianz Riviera organizers deployed a dedicated brigade of yellow-vested information agents along main walking corridors to guide pedestrian flows from off-site parking lots.
Playboi Carti and Setlist Highlights
The music kicked off with a high-octane opening set from hip-hop superstar Playboi Carti. His energetic appearance primed the stadium audience before the headlining performance.
Taking the stage at 9:00 PM, The Weeknd delivered a seamless, hits-driven production highlighted by stunning visual set pieces. The carefully curated stadium setlist blended synth-pop anthems with darker R&B favorites:
- “Blinding Lights” and “Starboy” ignited massive stadium-wide singalongs.
- “Save Your Tears” and “Die For You” kept energy levels high across the floor.
- Global collaborative hits like “Timeless” and “São Paulo” showcased the tour’s current contemporary edge.
Economic and Cultural Impact
“Hosting an artist of this caliber for two consecutive nights validates Nice as a premium destination for global entertainment tours,” noted a regional tourism official via a post-show brief. Local hospitality businesses and vendors situated near the eco-valley district reported record mid-week revenue spikes. The successful management of the 70,000-visitor weekend underscores the city’s robust event hosting capacity, even when facing severe infrastructure bottlenecks.
