AMAs 2020: The Weeknd closes downtown LA for performance with Kenny G, fans call it a 'world premiere' act
The 2020 American Music Awards, being hosted by Taraji P Henson, has an impressive line-up of performers. Followed by the announcement of Favorite Song – Pop/Rock, the Weeknd took the stage, or rather the streets, to perform songs from his latest superhit record 'After Hours'. The Weeknd's performance took place on the streets of downtown Los Angeles as the singer walked through a barrage of fireworks going all over him.
He was joined by jazz saxophonist Kenny G, who was also featured on his 'After Hours' album, and performed the tracks 'In Your Eyes' and 'Save Your Tears'. Wearing his red suit and pants, from the 'Blinding Lights' and 'Heartless' music videos, with his face completely bandaged, he left many viewers confused.
One wrote, "the Weeknd really staying true to his album concept and the locals asking if he got plastic surgery or beaten up," while another said, "Watching the #AMAs can someone please explain to me what @theweeknd is into? Of course, I love his music but I’m trying to understand where he’s going with these looks." Another simply added, "the Weeknd is so f**king cool wow."
the weeknd rly staying true to his album concept and the locals asking if he got plastic surgery or beaten up:sob:
— seokjin dilf hunter ⁷ (@azuremin) November 23, 2020
Watching the #AMAs can someone please explain to me what @theweeknd is into? Of course I love his music but I’m trying to understand where he’s going with these looks... (sips @TitosVodka)
— IG: TOSHAMAKIA:studio_microphone: (@TOSHAMAKIA) November 23, 2020
The entire performance was posted online by Complex Music's official Twitter handle with the following caption, "THE WEEKND x KENNY G SHUT DOWN LOS ANGELES #AMAs" while a user, commenting on the Weeknd's bandaged look, said, "whenever I see the Weeknd in his getup I just think of the very good 2014 Austrian horror movie 'Goodnight Mommy'."
Another added, "Y'all beg for an era every other day. The Weeknd is actually giving y’all a fully thought out era with a character and connected visuals and everything. Y’all clown him...and turn around and complain that no one does eras anymore... how that works?" The official AMA handle. announcing the Weeknd's performance, said, "The Weeknd is shutting down Downtown LA NEXT with a world premiere performance, baby! It’s going to be amazing."
THE WEEKND x KENNY G SHUT DOWN LOS ANGELES #AMAs pic.twitter.com/OiDNRLNK6v
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) November 23, 2020
whenever i see the weeknd in his getup i just think of the very good 2014 austrian horror movie "goodnight mommy" pic.twitter.com/Ry2EjOAQrW
— Lenika Cruz (@lenikacruz) November 23, 2020
Y’all beg for an era every other day. The Weeknd is actually giving y’all a fully thought out era with a character and connected visuals and everything. Y’all clown him.... and turn around and complain that no one does eras anymore... how dat work?
— black boy bulletin (@theblackboyblog) November 23, 2020
.@theweeknd is shutting down Downtown L.A. NEXT with a world premiere performance, baby! It’s going to be amazing.
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) November 23, 2020
The Weeknd, alongside Roddy Ricch, is the night's most-nominated artiste with a total of eight nominations including Artist of the Year, Favorite Music Video, Favorite Album – Pop/Rock, and Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock.
Megan Thee Stallion comes in second with five nominations. 'After Hours', which received generally positive reviews from music critics, debuted atop the Billboard 200 marking the Weeknd's fourth number-one album in the US. It stayed at the top of the chart for four consecutive weeks. In 2020, the Weeknd has featured on three new tracks namely 'Smile' with Juice Wrld, 'Over Now' with Calvin Harris, and 'Hawái (Remix)' with Maluma.