Shawn Mendes, Wonder the World Tour

[inception]

Posted: 7/3/22 at 8:36am

Got a last minute ticket on a whim last night to see Shawn Mendes in concert here in Vancouver.  It was the fourth date of his new world tour to support his last album. He is set to tour through to summer 2023.

I wouldn't say I am a fan, but he has a pretty voice.  Outside of his hits, the songs tend to be rather bland, lacking any real hooks, & don't go past greeting card sentimentality

He's charming enough that the mostly young audience, who have never seen any really legendary performers, are pleased.  They really eat up the few scripted moments when he is supposedly talking "off the cuff" about writing his songs & their inspiration.  It would be more believable if we didn't know how many co-writers he has.

I've seen him perform before, & it looks like they recycled the stage set-up from his previous tour - with a runway across the floor to a smaller stage at the back of the arena.  It works well in a stadium, as it let's him high five fans along the runway, & brings him closer to those at the back for about half the show. Otherwise  at the back you have to rely on the large video screens to see anything. 

He tries to compete with Harry Styles at giving Instagram worthy moments by putting on whatever funny hats or glasses get thrown on stage by fans.  It made me wonder if this was again scripted, with his team perhaps making certain that different props ended up on stage at the right moment.

It was a fine show, & all the yoing people around me at the concert & riding Skytrain afterwards had an excellent time.  I found it unsatisfying that he's happy using his talents to churn out rather bland commercial pop.

Updated On: 7/3/22 at 08:36 AM