Photo credit: Sebastien Nagy
The Weeknd has unveiled a towering new stage installation for the 2026 European leg of his After Hours til Dawn Tour: a 40-foot-tall gold sculpture created by acclaimed Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama, best known for his iconic “Sexy Robot” series. The new piece is more than twice the size of the six-metre Sorayama sculpture that appeared during the tour’s previous European run in 2023, making it one of the most ambitious visual elements ever featured in the production. Tour organisers describe it as the largest commissioned fine artwork ever created for a concert production.
Created exclusively for the tour, the sculpture was hand-carved from polystyrene before being cast in Toyama, Japan, by local craftsmen. It was later finished in gold through a painstaking multi-layer coating process designed to achieve its metallic appearance. The installation also incorporates laser-illuminated eyes and theatrical smoke effects emerging from its palm, transforming the artwork into a dynamic part of the live show.
The unveiling marks the latest evolution of the After Hours til Dawn Tour, which has become renowned for its large-scale, cinematic staging and futuristic visual design. The gold Sorayama sculpture serves as a centrepiece of the tour’s European production, reflecting the long-running creative collaboration between The Weeknd and the celebrated artist.
