Shawn Mendes + Eddie Benjamin in Montreal
Photos and review by Eva Lynch
October 1, 2025
Montreal, QC @ Bell Center
Shawn Mendes says that anywhere in the world he goes, his fans are the kindest. It’s affirmed by Eddie Benjamin as well, who is opening for the night, and shares that he’s been having a hard time lately but thanks Shawn Mendes, who he says is “healing him everyday” and that these shows have been outpourings of support and kindness. He adds that he has always loved the vibe of Montreal, calling it his favorite stop of Justin Bieber’s Justice tour back in 2022, which earns immediate cheers. Montreal, as usual, lives up to its reputation as one of North America’s most passionate crowds.
Eddie Benjamin
Eddie Benjamin has come a long way from when he was first introduced to the world by Justin Bieber, and on this night, he stands on his own with a new confidence and certainty. He wastes no time getting rid of the distance between himself and the audience, leaping down to the barricade to greet fans face-to-face. He tells the crowd he loves the vibe of Montreal, calling it his favorite stop of Bieber’s Justice tour back in 2022, which earns immediate cheers. Montreal, as usual, lives up to its reputation as one of North America’s most passionate crowds—responsive, loud, and locked in from the first note.
Shawn Mendes
Soon after, Shawn Mendes hits the stage in a flurry. He breaks onto the stage in a burst of energy, mixing together some of his latest hits like ‘Wonder’ with his earliest singles, such as ‘Treat You Better.’ It makes you realize what an expansive career Mendes has had, each song even catchier and more memorable than the last, and how young he was when he began first performing on these stages when you listen back to his hits through the years. The audience is with him, singing along to every word. On stage, he jokes that you know “it’s a good hometown show when there’s more response for ‘Ruin’ than ‘Señorita’.”
During “Never Be Alone,” the arena transforms into a coordinated fan project, and the stadium fills with rainbow lights as fans lift sheets of colored plastic to their phone flashlights. It’s a moment of communal tenderness on a massive scale, and it's clear Mendes has captured the worlds’ hearts and drawn them in with his magnetic charisma. Even the reporter next to me texts his wife about the show and receives a response which reads: I hope he smiled at you! On my way into the area I passed by a middle-aged woman in a hot-pink T-shirt reading WANTED FOR STEALING MY BROTHER’S HEART, with an old-school western photo of Mendes on the front.
Mendes paused to thank those who have been with him for the past 10 or 11 years, acknowledging how difficult it can be to remain a musician in today’s world and how seriously he takes the privilege of being here. Throughout the night, Mendes reflects on the weight of the times. “It feels like a dark time in the world,” he admits, but he says that connecting through music is his medicine, thanking the audience for the evening. He continues to share that he’s learned from our ancestors and elders, and seen their mistakes too, and believes we will be the change the world needs -- a powerful message to share across the packed stadium, and thinking about the impact outspoken artists like Mendes might have on the next generation.
Near the end of the show, Mendes gravitates towards the tip of the catwalk for a stripped-down acoustic segment. He introduces what he calls his ‘favorite song he’s ever written,’ noting he doesn’t think he’s ever played it here before, before breaking into “It’ll Be Okay.” At this point he is decked out in multiple flags and a cowboy hat he was gifted by the audience after running down to the barricade to hold hands and hug the crowd pouring over the gates. He makes everyone in the stadium feel seen and illustrates how far it goes to show up for one another, embracing the message in his music, and spreading the love and joy he feels getting to play it for Montreal tonight.
