The Weeknd has a new song, and he premiered it in Japan with a guest vocalist. The singer debuted “Tokyo” at Japan’s Belluna Dome, not far from Tokyo itself, and brought out Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi to perform it live.
The song samples Takahashi’s track “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” which serves as the opening theme song for the 1995 anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. During the performance, Takahashi sang that song while the Weeknd jammed along.
The New Track
“Tokyo” is the latest addition to the Weeknd’s catalog. Tesfaye debuted it in April, and tonight’s performance at Belluna Dome marked its second live outing. Bringing Takahashi out to perform alongside him is a statement in itself.
The set also featured a rendition of “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” with Takahashi singing while the Weeknd played alongside her. That pairing made the performance feel less like two separate songs and more like a single, cohesive event centered on the anime theme.
The Venue
Belluna Dome sits near Tokyo, and the Weeknd chose it for the Asian tour kickoff. The venue’s location near the city that shares the song’s title added a layer of resonance to the night’s programming.
The Name Debate
The song comes with some context around the Weeknd’s stage name. Over the past few years, Abel Tesfaye has gone back and forth about retiring the “the Weeknd” handle, making a fuss over it along the way.
Tonight’s performance answers that question for now. Tesfaye debuted “Tokyo” as a new entry in the Weeknd catalog, and bringing Takahashi out to sing alongside him is a statement in itself.
Tesfaye’s Words
Tesfaye spoke with GQ Hong Kong about the decision. He said the idea of stepping away crossed his mind, but he ultimately rejected it. The inspiration he has collected over his career would go to waste if he walked away, he argued.
“At one point I thought, ‘What if I just stopped?’ But then I realized what a waste all of that inspiration would be.”
He described the gratitude he has felt over the last year as overwhelming, and he committed to keeping the project alive for as long as possible.
The Privilege Argument
Tesfaye framed his continued work as a privilege rather than a burden. He described the gratitude he has felt over the last year as overwhelming, and he committed to keeping the project alive for as long as possible.
“I can’t let that happen,” he said of retirement. “I had a glimpse of what retirement looks like, and it isn’t for me. It’s a real privilege to do what I do. There’s nothing else like this job.”
His commitment to the name is clear. The Weeknd isn’t going anywhere, according to Tesfaye.
The Performance
The performance at Belluna Dome included the new song “Tokyo.” The set also featured a rendition of “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” with Takahashi singing while the Weeknd played alongside her.
It’s a small set, but it packed a lot into a tight frame. The anime connection gave the performance a distinct identity.
The Sample
“A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” is the opening theme song for the 1995 anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. The Weeknd’s decision to sample it puts the song in direct conversation with that legacy.
The Reaction
The debut of “Tokyo” at Japan’s Belluna Dome, featuring Yoko Takahashi sampling her own track “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” is a clever cultural nod. The anime connection gives the song a built-in audience.
Tesfaye’s commitment to the name is clear. The Weeknd isn’t going anywhere.
See the a run of 20 images at Stereogum.
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