After a touring hiatus, one of Canada’s biggest homegrown pop stars returns to his home country this week — Shawn Mendes boasts a sold-out show at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage as one of the venue’s final shows ahead of its closure for the season.
Plus, hip-hop duo Joey Valence & Brae hits the West Coast, while Canadian legend Bryan Adams performs in Calgary and Winnipeg. Experimental pop singer U.S. Girls takes the stage in her hometown of Toronto and four Indigenous artists are celebrating National Truth and Reconciliation Day in Calgary.
Concert of the Week
Shawn Mendes, Budweiser Stage, Toronto — September 28; Centre Bell, Montreal — October 1
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Shawn Mendes has returned to the big stage. After performing a string of intimate venues last year, the Canadian pop singer emerged with a larger tour that included global festival dates and two sold-out shows in his home country in 2025.It’s a welcome return for Mendes, who cancelled his 2022 Wonder tour to focus on his mental health — now he’s on the road again.
While Mendes released his first namesake album in 2024, the tour seemingly boasts his biggest hits from his decade-long career, including “Monster,” featuring Justin Bieber and “If I Can’t Have You,” and “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back,” which peaked at No. 1 and No. 2 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, respectively. Yet, the setlist includes glimmers of his newest project, including the charting track “Heart of Gold” — the record peaked at No. 24 on Canadian Albums.
Mendes has captured audiences as big as Toronto’s Rogers Centre, but this time, he’s aiming a bit smaller for this tour, performing at Budweiser Stage and Montreal’s Centre Bell. Of the tour, he wrote on social media: “I feel like time away has allowed me to come back and recognize and remember how unbelievably special it is to get to play live shows. It’s an honour and I'm just beyond grateful that you guys keep showing up after 10 years with so much love.”
Joey Valence & Brae, Vogue Theatre, Vancouver — September 25
The American hip hop duo is hitting the West Coast on the first leg of their Hyperyouth World Tour. With tracks like “Punk Tactics” and “See U Dance” off their recent album, the show is set to keep the crowd on their feet all night. Joey Valence & Brae are no strangers to Canada — last month, they performed an afternoon set at Montreal’s Osheaga music festival.
Bryan Adams, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary — September 26; Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg — September 29
Canadian rocker Bryan Adams is rolling with the punches as he embarks on cross-country dates in support of his aptly-titled album, Roll with the Punches. “We'll be playing all the classics, some deep cuts, and sharing some brand-new tracks from the forthcoming album,” he shared of the tour. Opening for Adams are fellow Canadians, Amanda Marshall and The Sheepdogs.
Meghan Remy is bringing her experimental pop project, U.S. Girls, to her hometown. Despite getting her start across the border, Remy moved to Toronto after marrying Max "Slim Twig" Turnbull of Badge Époque Ensemble over a decade ago. Her most recent album, Scratch It, is a masterclass in dreamy soundscapes and wispy vocals that will put concertgoers in a trance.
In honour of National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Calgary’s National Music Centre is opening its doors for a free panel celebrating Indigenous talent, including rapper Rex Smallboy, artist Curt Young and songwriter Wendy Walker, led by hip-hop artist Drezus. “I’m honoured to be among other artists who are using their voices to heal, to teach and to inspire,” the latter shares.
