The Weeknd blasts into Houston with pop power

May 6, 2017: Concert goers enjoy the early evening before entering the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas to enjoy music by The Weeknd. (Leslie Plaza Johnson/Freelance) May 6, 2017: Concert goers enjoy the early evening before entering the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas to enjoy music by The Weeknd. (Leslie Plaza Johnson/Freelance) Photo: Leslie Plaza Johnson, For The Chronicle Photo: Leslie Plaza Johnson, For The Chronicle Image 1 of / 60 Caption Close The Weeknd blasts into Houston with pop power 1 / 60 Back to Gallery

Call it a Houston weekend, or Weeknd, takeover.

The Canadian singer, born Abel Tesfaye, wielded considerable pop power Saturday night at Toyota Center as part of his Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour. Houston was the seventh stop on the North American leg.

He also opened a pop-up shop Saturday at The Webster in the Galleria. It was one of eight around the country.

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Massive set pieces meant to look like a spaceship hung over the crowd, flashing a multitude of colors throughout the 90-minute set. It played perfectly into The Weeknd's sci-fi pop persona.

He worked a runway that reached more than halfway across the floor, backed by a tight three-piece band.

"Starboy" and "Party Monster" provided a strong kickoff. He still has a lot of Michael Jackson in his voice. But it's to The Weeknd's credit that he's developed a much more unique way of delivering in the last couple of years.

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The crowd, evenly split between men and women, danced furiously and sang along with every song. The guys often seemed more excited.

He mashed several songs together and got through a dozen in less than an hour. And he reached back into his mixtape days.

"Six Feet Under" and "Low Life" fed into "Might Not," which showcased an almost palatable exchange of energy with the crowd.

He showcased an effortless charisma and confidence that comes across in everything he does: his vocals, his strut, the way he launches his hand into the air.

"Tell Your Friends" and "True Colors" boasted an old-school soul shimmy.

"Houston can I get sexy for you tonight?" he sang in falsetto.

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The last run of tunes was the most familiar and the most bracing, a string of pounding anthems -- "Can't Feel My Face," "I Feel it Coming," "The Hills" -- that almost sent the spaceship into orbit.

And like any good modern pop act, there were multiple '80s references. "Rockin," riffed on the Jackson/Paul McCartney hit "Say, Say, Say" and "Secrets" echoed '80s hit "Talking in Your Sleep" by The Romantics.

Rapper Belly's opening set was overshadowed by his blinged-out jacket and a surprise appearance by Paul Wall. The Houston icon earned more cheers in 30 seconds than Belly did across several songs.