Multi-talented singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes brought his For Friends and Family Only Tour to a close on November 25, gracing the iconic stage of Massey Hall in his hometown of Toronto. As a world-renowned artist, Mendes’ performance at the 130-year-old venue marked a standout moment in his illustrious career, which boasts sold-out shows at prominent stadiums and arenas but had surprisingly bypassed the historic Massey Hall – a shared dream destination for numerous artists hailing from the city. This significant milestone was all the more special, given that Mendes, now 26, spent his formative years just outside Toronto in Pickering and currently resides in a downtown condominium.
After inking a record deal at the tender age of 15, Mendes’ inaugural major local performance took place in 2014 at the 1500-capacity Danforth Music Hall, followed by a pivotal stint as the support act for Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour in the subsequent year. This exposure catapulted him to the arena circuit, headlining the Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena) in 2016 and selling out the same venue twice in 2017. By 2019, Mendes had successfully transitioned to stadium performances, making his debut at the renowned Rogers Centre in Toronto – an undeniably remarkable feat for an artist so early in his career.
Following the unexpected cancellation of his world tour just seven shows in, Mendes surprised fans with a remarkable return to the stage in Toronto last summer, making a guest appearance alongside Ed Sheeran at the Rogers Centre. This unexpected move rekindled speculation about his impending return to the music scene.
Beyond the spotlight, Mendes devoted himself to crafting a new album, his fifth, Shawn. The album represented a significant shift in his artistic trajectory, navigating vulnerabilities and maturity through its lyrics while embracing a rootsy folk sound alongside the anticipated pop-rock genre. In an effort to gradually re-enter public life, Mendes opted for a unique approach – a concert tour featuring 2,000- to 3,000-capacity venues worldwide, aptly christened the For Friends and Family Only Tour. A concurrent concert film is also available for streaming on Veeps.com. A notable aspect of the tour was the consistent setlist, primarily consisting of songs from the Shawn album, accompanied by a few nostalgic tracks, such as “Stitches,” “Nothing Holding Me Back,” “In My Blood,” and “It’ll Be Okay.”
With his band of skilled musicians, including Shawn co-writers/producers Mike Sabath and Eddie Benjamin, Mendes created an unforgettable experience for the 2,750 audience members gathered at Massey Hall, many of whom were his actual friends and family – creating an atmosphere that was at once both personal and electrifying. “Man, I’m so happy to be home right now,” he articulated to the crowd, underlining the essence of the evening. The event was a distinct milestone, marking the culmination of the Friends and Family shows and providing a profound connection for the audience with Mendes’ newly released album, Shawn. The homeward atmosphere was distinctively palpable as the artist added, “It’s also special just because we’ve been traveling across the world playing these songs, and every night I get on stage and I say, ‘Damn, it’s a shame you guys don’t know these songs, but thank you for coming anyway.'” This endearing admission was soon followed by the moment of truth – “Tonight, this is the first night the album has been out, so maybe you guys know it. We’re going to play the album, and I think just because we’re home, we’re probably going to be a little bit looser. It might be a little messy.”
As the set progressed, Mendes introduced his latest single, “Heart of Gold,” accompanied by an emotionally charged anecdote about a childhood friend whose passing profoundly impacted him. Upon being reminded of this friend, Mendes delved into a meaningful conversation that, in turn, inspired the song. Sharing the narrative behind the song, he endeavored to convey the transformative impact his friend had on his perception of grief, underscoring the significance of honoring the lives of loved ones and remembering the essence they embodied. The impact was visceral, as the crowd actively participated in the emotional catharsis by singing along to the song, elevating the ambiance to an even higher plane of sentimental resonance.
Shawn Mendes further remedied the night with his enchanting performance of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” accompanied by harmonium melodies, including an introspective moment of kirtan-inspired chanting. In the tour’s grand finale, Mendes pivoted to his seminal song “In My Blood,” showcasing a musical intensity enmeshed with a deeply intimate atmosphere, closing the set with a twin wave of satisfaction and reverberating nostalgia as he pulled off his guitar and cordless earpieces to submerge himself into the audience, clapping and fist-pumping, refining a critically wondrous performance that looked to an unforgettable and operative finale, with an unending thunderous musical concordance.
