Live Report: Shawn Mendes At 3Arena

Canadian singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes has garnered the reputation of a heartthrob with impressive musical chops, something that Mendes repeatedly justified over the course of his 21-song set at 3Arena.

The audience lost it when the lights dimmed in 3Arena and Mendes emerged with a beaming smile and acoustic guitar. Mendes immediately launched into several of his chart-topping hits, including ‘Lost in Japan’, ‘There’s Nothing Holding Me Back’ and ‘Nervous’, his clean falsetto cutting through the audience singing along.

“The most amazing part of my show is actually you guys,” said Mendes, met with shrieks from the jam-packed stands.

Mendes went on to perform ‘Stitches’, ‘Bad Reputation’, ‘Life of the Party’ and ‘Particular Taste’, among other songs predominantly from his self-titled 2018 album. The set design is eye-catching – boasting a massive circular screen for visuals that frames the stage, a large glowing flower and two different stages – yet somehow never distracts from Mendes.

The 20-year-old artist had a knack for making a large space feel intimate, partially due to the second stage that brought him closer to the audience, but also thanks to his welcoming personality and his frequent interactions with the crowd.

As the concert began to reach its final songs, the rest of the band left the stage. Mendes then sang ‘Youth’, accompanied only by his acoustic guitar and powerful vocals. “No matter how old, no matter how young you are… you are one of the people that has the power to change the world,” said Mendes.

Mendes wrapped up the concert with a cover of Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’, before playing ‘In My Blood’. To the last note, Mendes defied overly choreographed dances or flashy pyrotechnics, relying instead on what got him here in the first place –  his songwriting abilities and vocal talents.