The Weeknd’s One-Night-Only show in Sao Pãolo was a spectacle, one that could have only been achieved by imaginative, creative minds that were able to reflect the chart-topping rapper’s vision. Enter DJ and producer Anyma, who took on the role of Visual Creative Director for the affair, along with Co-Creative Director Alexander Wessely and Art Director Alessio De Vecchi.
Anyma (aka Matteo Millieri) is known for the stellar shows he puts on as half of DJ duo Tale of Us, merging technology, art and music to give fans an immersive experience. He brought that same spark of creativity to The Weeknd’s (Abel Makkonen Tesfaye) innovative night. “The core aspects of all Anyma shows are the visual themes of humanity, philosophy, and the future,” he tells PAPER. “There are similar themes Abel and (his creative director, La Mar C. Taylor) are inspired by and exactly why our collaboration together felt so natural. [We both utilize] references of classical surrealism and a dystopian future.”
“We wanted to craft visuals that evoke the emotional depth of Abel’s music while transporting the audience into a surreal, immersive environment,” Wessely told us. “A key theme we explored was the idea of ritual — capturing the spiritual and transformative elements of his sound and performance.” Wessely adds that his collaboration with Anyma was an “enriching experience.” “We both brought our unique perspectives to the table. Together, we pushed the boundaries of what digital and human elements could achieve, creating a dreamlike, ritualistic atmosphere where the visuals felt like part of a deeper, emotional journey for the audience. It was about blending the digital with the sacred, a merging of worlds where the virtual experience becomes something profoundly resonant.”
De Vecchi tells us that producing visuals for the show was an “opportunity to integrate the cinematic, otherworldly vibes of the Anyma project with his distinct, moody aesthetic.” “We drew inspiration from his haunting, atmospheric sound to create visuals that feel immersive and ethereal while still holding true to the futuristic, digital nuances I love to explore in my work,” De Vecchi adds. “The goal was to transport the audience to a place that feels like a visual, somewhat surreal sonic dreamscape. The visuals aimed to reflect the merging of worlds, where the digital mirrors the human experience, and the virtual becomes a space for deep emotional resonance.”
Anyma is also gearing up for his residency at Sphere in Las Vegas. Today, it was announced that two more dates will be added to his sold-out run, January 10 and 11 of 2025.
Below, Amaya talks to PAPER about how The Weeknd’s One-Night-Only show went from idea to reality.
How did you initially get involved with The Weeknd for his One-Night-Only show in São Paolo?
The conversation developed naturally between myself, La Mar and Abel. We’d been put in touch by mutual friends and the more we spoke, the clearer it became how similar our perspectives were on where the future of live performances is headed.
How did you collaborate with The Weeknd and his team to pull off this feat?
For me, it’s essential to push the boundaries of what an audiovisual experience can be. Our teams focused on elevating the surroundings and perspectives around Abel, an entire visual world you’re immersed in and transported to. This is something I’m conscious of in all my own shows. What are we saying, and how can we pair what you hear with what you see?
What aspects of your personal show were replicated or inspired the One-Night-Only performance?
The core aspects of all Anyma shows are the visual themes of humanity, philosophy and the future. There are similar themes Abel and La Mar are inspired by, and that is exactly why our collaboration together felt so natural. References of classical surrealism and a dystopian future.
The Sao Paolo show felt like a surprise — how did you / the team keep it under wraps?
We’d specifically wanted to keep it under wraps so that people in São Paulo would have their own expectations surpassed. I believe we achieved that.
What was it like to witness what you created and have fans experience it?
I’m just thankful that Abel, La Mar and Abel’s fans were so happy with the result and that collectively we were able to push the boundaries as much as we did.
What are you most excited to share next? What projects can you share with us?
My entire focus is now on my upcoming Anyma residency at the Sphere Las Vegas at the end of this year. It’s simultaneously the most challenging and rewarding show I’ll have ever done. I have some very exciting collaborations with some incredible artists and friends in store, both musically and visually. I’m determined to push the limits of what’s possible in the Sphere.
When it comes to creating such an immersive experience on a large scale, what’s the overall energy and idea you are looking to translate to the audience?We ask foundational questions. What does a true audio/visual moment represent? How can we connect the emotion and feeling from a song into a visual narrative? How can we ensure that we cannot disassociate the two? That energy and deeper connection between the two mediums is the key. With the right platform and collective vision, I believe we’re able to answer those foundational questions through these mediums of art. An audience should leave a show feeling that for a time, they had entered into another world, a dreamscape.
Photography: Sam Neill
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