Toronto is about to explode with excitement. Shawn Mendes, Canada’s beloved pop phenomenon, is finally bringing his On The Road Again Tour back home, and the energy around the city is undeniable. On September 28, Mendes will headline at the Budweiser Stage, an iconic venue that has hosted countless music legends — but this night is already being framed as something more than just another tour stop. For the Mendes Army, this is a full-circle moment, and for Toronto itself, it feels like the return of a hometown hero who has gone out into the world and conquered it, only to come back bigger, louder, and more personal than ever.
This isn’t just about a show. It’s about Shawn Mendes reconnecting with his roots, performing in front of family, friends, and the fans who supported him from his very first viral Vine covers all the way to global superstardom.
So what makes this night different? Why is social media buzzing that this could be Mendes’s most powerful performance of the year? And what should fans expect — from the setlist, to the vibe, to the emotional layers Mendes might reveal on stage? We break it all down here, along with a specially curated playlist to set the mood before you even walk through the gates.’
When and Where: The Crucial Details You Can’t Miss
Let’s start with the basics. Fans can begin entering Budweiser Stage at 6:30 p.m. The show itself kicks off with an opening set by Eddie Benjamin, the Australian singer-songwriter and producer who has been quietly but steadily carving out a name for himself in pop music. Benjamin is not just an opener; he’s someone Mendes himself respects, and his connection to another Canadian superstar — Justin Bieber — makes his presence on this lineup even more intriguing. Bieber and Mendes have long been compared, contrasted, and occasionally linked in the public eye, so having one of Bieber’s closest collaborators warming up Mendes’s hometown crowd feels like the perfect prelude.
Mendes is expected to hit the stage at 9 p.m. sharp. But if history has taught us anything about Shawn, it’s that his live shows rarely stick to the script. Fans are speculating whether he’ll debut new songs, bring surprise guests, or even break into moments of raw vulnerability that go beyond what’s rehearsed.
Why This Night Matters More Than the Rest of the Tour
Every tour stop is important, but Toronto carries a weight no other city can match. This is where Shawn Mendes was discovered, where his family still lives, and where his journey from teenage Vine star to Grammy-nominated artist began. Fans on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) have been buzzing with comments like “this one’s going to be different” and “he’ll give us something in Toronto that the rest of the world won’t get.”
The speculation isn’t unfounded. In previous hometown shows, Mendes has often slowed down the spectacle to speak directly to the audience, sharing emotional stories about growing up in Canada, about the streets he used to walk, and about how surreal it feels to come home as a global star. Some fans believe he might even reference his recent struggles with mental health and his decision to cancel his previous world tour to take care of himself — a move that was widely praised as both brave and overdue.
In Toronto, the stage isn’t just a stage. It’s a mirror. And Mendes seems ready to reflect on how far he has come.
The Playlist: What to Play Before the Show
If you’re heading to Budweiser Stage this weekend, you’ll want to set the mood long before the first guitar strum echoes across Lake Ontario. Here’s a curated Shawn Mendes playlist that fans are already circulating online to get into the right emotional headspace:
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“Stitches” – The breakthrough hit that turned him into a household name.
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“Treat You Better” – Still one of his most recognizable songs and a guaranteed sing-along moment.
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“There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” – High-energy, perfect to pump up the crowd before doors open.
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“In My Blood” – Perhaps Mendes’s most personal anthem, and one that resonates even more after his public break from touring.
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“Señorita” (with Camila Cabello) – The song that defined an era in both his career and his personal life.
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“Summer of Love” – A newer track that matches the vibe of an open-air Toronto night.
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“Mercy” – A song fans say hits differently when performed live, thanks to Mendes’s vocal intensity.
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“Wonder” – The title track of his fourth studio album, showcasing his growth as an artist.
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“Lost in Japan” – Funky, playful, and a fan-favorite in concert.
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“Never Be Alone” – A sentimental deep cut that fans are praying makes the Toronto setlist.
This isn’t just a playlist. It’s a roadmap of Mendes’s journey, from wide-eyed teen to a man who has faced the highs and lows of fame head-on.
What Fans Are Saying: The Buzz Before the Big Night
Social media is already overflowing with anticipation. Toronto fans have been posting photos of Shawn’s tour posters across the city, videos of them camping outside the venue days in advance, and emotional captions about what it means to finally see him live after years of waiting.
On TikTok, clips from earlier tour stops show Mendes at his most charismatic, weaving between stripped-down acoustic numbers and high-energy anthems. Fans are dissecting every detail — from his stage outfits (usually simple, classic, and very Canadian in their understated coolness) to the way he tweaks lyrics in real time. The general consensus? Toronto will get something special.
Some even believe that Mendes might surprise the crowd with a collaboration or unreleased song, particularly since rumors about him working on new music have been swirling all year. Could he preview something from an upcoming album? Could he bring Eddie Benjamin back on stage for a duet? Or — and this is the wild theory floating online — could Justin Bieber himself make a guest appearance, given his close ties to Benjamin and his shared hometown roots with Mendes?
It’s unlikely, but in the world of live music, especially in Toronto, never say never.
The Emotional Undercurrent: Mendes’s Journey Back to the Stage
It’s impossible to separate this concert from Mendes’s recent personal history. In 2022, he made headlines for canceling the rest of his Wonder World Tour, citing mental health struggles and burnout. His honesty about needing to step back, especially in an industry that often demands constant output, resonated deeply with fans and fellow artists alike.
Coming back to touring, then, isn’t just a professional move. It’s a deeply personal one. This Toronto show is symbolic — a declaration that Mendes is ready to face the stage again, not as the boy who left, but as a man who has taken time to heal, grow, and rediscover his artistry.
For fans, watching him in Toronto isn’t just about hearing the hits. It’s about witnessing resilience.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss This Show
With so many concerts competing for attention, why does this particular night stand out? The answer is simple: it’s rare to witness an artist perform at the exact intersection of past, present, and future. Mendes is carrying the weight of his hometown pride, the scars of his struggles, and the excitement of what’s still to come.
Every sign points to this Toronto concert being a career-defining night — the kind that fans talk about for years, the kind that goes viral the morning after, and the kind that cements not just a star, but a legacy.
If you’re in Toronto this weekend, there is simply no better place to be.
Final Word
Shawn Mendes’s return to Toronto isn’t just a date on a tour schedule. It’s a homecoming, a statement, and possibly a turning point. From the carefully curated playlist to the emotional backdrop of his journey, everything about this night feels heightened. Whether you’re a die-hard Mendes Army member or just someone curious about seeing one of Canada’s biggest stars in his natural habitat, this show promises to be unforgettable.
So get your tickets, queue up the playlist, and prepare yourself for what could very well be the most powerful Shawn Mendes concert of his career.
