The Weeknd and Sam Levinson’s upcoming HBO drama “The Idol” scored a huge win this week when it was officially announced that the first two episodes of the series will be screened out of competition at next month’s Cannes Film Festival. Television premieres on the Croisette aren’t unprecedented — David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks: The Return” and Jane Campion’s “Top of the Lake” both screened at the festival — but a selection can attest to the artistic significance of an auteur-driven series. It’s a much-needed PR boost for the show, which has been dogged by reports of on-site malfunctions.
But getting a spot at the world’s biggest film festival was clearly not enough for The Weeknd, so he decided to promote the show at America’s biggest music festival that same week. The artist made an unannounced appearance at Coachella on Friday night, taking the stage in the Sahara Tent toward the end of Metro Boomin’s closing set to perform six songs. While The Weeknd used his social media accounts to tease that he may return to the festival in 2022, of which he was the main character, the date of his appearance was unknown.
But the biggest surprise of the night may have been what he chose. Among his other hits, The Weeknd debuted a new song called “Double Fantasy,” which he wrote and performed for “The Idol.” Previously published by short clip he recorded the song with a band, but fans got to hear the full song for the first time on Friday night.
In addition to The Weeknd, The Idol stars Lily-Rose Depp, Dan Levy, Rachel Sennott, Eli Roth, Jane Adams, Moses Sumney, Troye Sivan, Suzanna Son (he will reportedly reappear in the series after previously exiting amid creative changes). and Jenny Kim Set in the music industry, the series follows an aspiring pop star (Depp) in desperate need of a hit and develops a strange relationship with a self-help guru whose tactics resemble those of a cult leader. “The Idol” is expected to premiere on HBO in 2023 after its Cannes premiere. An official release date has not yet been announced.
Watch a replay of The Weekend’s Coachella performance below.
(embed)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8T81_n28L4(/embed)
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