Shawn Mendes Will Perform New Album From Top to Bottom on Intimate Tour
When touring resumed after lockdowns, Shawn Mendes attempted to dive right back in. He had spent nine months on the road in 2019, then spent the early months of the pandemic creating his fourth studio album Wonder. He tried to take that record on the road, too, but only made it seven shows in before cancelling that tour in its entirety to focus on his mental health. This week, Mendes returned with the announcement of his fifth album, Shawn — and he’s easing back into live performances more cautiously this time around.
Mendes will perform Shawn from top to bottom on an upcoming six-show trek making stops at theaters in Woodstock, London, Nashville, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and Seattle. The run will begin at Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on Aug. 8 — the date marking Mendes’ 26th birthday and the release of the first two singles from Shawn, “Why Why Why” and “Isn’t That Enough.” The following week, he’ll take the stage at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London. The next show isn’t scheduled for another two months after that.
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In October, Mendes will perform at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Brooklyn’s Brooklyn Paramount, Los Angeles’ the Ford, and Seattle’s Paramount Theatre. The first venue on the run, Bearsville Theater, has a capacity of around 500 people. Most of the other venues hold between 2,000 and 3,000 attendees. The tour has been promoted as being “for friends and family only,” due to the scaled back size of the selected venues.
“For my friends and family,” Mendes wrote on Instagram. “Wanted the first shows back to be special & to play this album for you live in the places we recorded it. I’ve never played an album top to bottom before but it’s already one of my favourite shows I’ve ever rehearsed. I love you guys, the band and I can’t wait to see you!”
Fans will be randomly selected for the opportunity to buy tickets to the shows after signing up for registration. Those looking to attend the London show will have to pre-order the new album via Mendes’ official U.K. web store in order to receive a code. Their window closes Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. BST. Additional tickets for London will be released in a limited public sale on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. local time.
For the first U.S. show in Woodstock, fans can register now for access via the Seated ticket request system with on-sale scheduled for Friday, Aug. 2. Those who receive presale codes for the other shows will be able to purchase tickets on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. local time. More information is available on the official Shawn Mendes website.
Shawn was recorded between studios including Clubhouse Studio in Rhinebeck, New York, Bear Creek Studio in Washington State, Darkhorse Recordings in Nashville, New York City’s Electric Lady, and more. The singer and songwriter co-produced the record alongside collaborators Scott Harris, Mike Sabath, Nate Mercereau, and Eddie Benjamin. Amy Allen, who wrote on Shawn Mendes, returns as a contributing songwriter alongside Ethan Gruska.
“Music really can be medicine. 2 years ago I felt like I had absolutely no idea who I was. A year ago I couldn’t step into a studio without falling into complete panic. So to be here right now with 12 beautiful finished songs feels like such a gift,” Mendes wrote on Instagram when announcing the album. “Honestly thank god for my friends and family. Life can be brutal but having a small group of people you deeply trust to walk you through makes it so much better. I have no idea how I would have made it through the last couple years let alone make an album without you.”
Shawn Mendes Performing Shawn Live
Aug. 8 — Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater
Aug. 13 — London, UK @ Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Oct. 14 — Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
Oct. 18 — Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
Oct. 22 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Ford
Oct. 24 — Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
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