Live Review: Shawn Mendes, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Saturday, 02 November, 2019

Shawn Mendes had already won over the crowd before even stepping on stage, with fans (and their respective partners and guardians) filling the 21,000 capacity Qudos Bank Arena to the brim for the first of two Sydney shows last weekend.

Mendes has come a long way since viral Vine fame

Walking the path of teen stardom to global sensation is no easy feat, but he has managed to do so smoothly, interlaced with smash hits, an inimitable personality, and a real heart-felt connection with fans. This dedication has clearly paid off, as showcased by the deafening screams of the entire crowd (yes, respective partners and guardians included) as he walked out and kicked the night off with ‘Lost in Japan’.

Shawn Mendes Photo by Duncan Barnes
Shawn Mendes plays RAC Arena, October 2019.

With over 15 billion streams globally, five songs in the top 10 of the Billboard charts (including recent number 1 ‘Senorita’ with Camilla Cabello), a slew of awards under his belt, and a GRAMMY nomination, expectations were high for his live performance – especially since he absolutely smashed expectations out of the park the last time he was here in 2017 – and he did not disappoint.

Mendes’ live show is full of raw and incredible vocals, fine-tuned guitar skills, piano ballads, and impressive high notes that never fail to send the audience wild every time.

It is no small feat to have Elton John himself commend you on your live performance, and we could all see why as he expertly moved from smash pop rock hits like ‘Treat You Better’, to a cover of ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ by Whitney Houston, to a rousing piano mash-up ballad of ‘Because I Had You’, ‘A Little Too Much’, ‘Patience’, and ‘When You’re Ready’.

Shawn Mendes Photo by Duncan Barnes
Shawn Mendes plays RAC Arena, October 2019. Photo by Duncan Barnes

Mendes spent his night performing between two different stages in the arena

The first was at the front and the second towards the back in the middle. The latter featured an incredible giant white rose (you could also buy a mini version at the merch stand that lit up!), which in all its grandiose still managed to be classy and understated, letting Shawn be the main spectacle of the entire show.

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Finishing the night off with ‘In My Blood’, Shawn well and truly proved that (hear me out here…) performing was In His Blood.

Shawn Mendes – ‘In My Blood’

YouTube VideoPlay

Shawn Mendes The Tour 2019 Australia/New Zealand

Wed 23 Oct
RAC Arena, Perth

Sat 26 Oct
Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena, Adelaide

Tue 29 Oct
Rod Laver Aerna, Melbourne

Wed 30 Oct
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

Thu 31 Oct
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

Sat 02 Nov
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney

Sun 03 Nov
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney

Wed 06 Nov
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Sat 09 Nov
Spark Arena, Auckland

Tickets

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