For the first time, TikTok will be hosting an augmented-reality, live-streamed concert featuring Grammy Award-winning Canadian singer The Weeknd. He will be performing songs from his newest hit album After Hours. "The Weeknd Experience" is brought together by TikTok together with XO, Republic Records and virtual concert startup Wave. It will stream exclusively on the platform over at the @tiktok account on Friday, August 7, at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. Fans can expect to see 3D renderings and picture-in-picture video used to create what's going to be an immersive live stream. And like with other TikTok live streams, viewers can interact in real-time, too.
The event will raise funds for the Equal Justice Initiative, which supports racial equality. Fans can donate directly from the app leading up to and during the show. TikTok said it would match the funds "up to a generous amount." And those who want to remember the experience can buy exclusive merchandise from August 6 until 10 only, with proceeds from the sales going to the Equal Justice Initiative.
After the premiere, fans can relive the concert on different accounts streaming The Weeknd Experience. It will stream on August 8 at 9 a.m. PT (on @tiktok.southafrica and @tiktokmean_live); August 9 at 5 a.m. PT (@tiktok_malaysia and @tiktokSG), 8 a.m. PT (@tiktok_russia) and 7 p.m. PT (@theweeknd); and Aug. 10 at 4 a.m. PT (@tiktok_japan).
TikTok reports that The Weeknd's second single from the album, "Blinding Lights," inspired over 1.5 million videos on the platform and spawned the #BlindingLightsChallenge. As of July 2020, The Weeknd is the most-streamed artist on Spotify with 60 million monthly listeners.
Source: Variety