Shawn Mendes has officially announced his return to live performances after a two-year hiatus to prioritize his mental health. The 25-year-old singer will headline Rock In Rio on September 22, marking his first major performance since canceling his Wonder World Tour in 2022.
“It’s been a really long time since I last played live, and I’m so excited to share that I’ll be headlining Rock In Rio on Sept 22,” Mendes shared with fans in a heartfelt Instagram post on March 7. “I’ve missed being on stage and seeing you all in person so much!”
This performance is not only significant because of his return, but it also signals the release of new music. Mendes teased that he’s been hard at work on his upcoming album, which will feature songs fans can expect to hear live. “I’ve also been working on a new album, and I can’t wait to play these new songs live for you,” he added. “See you there. Eu te amo!!!”
While his fans are excited for his return, this isn’t Shawn’s first time at Rock In Rio—he previously performed at the iconic festival in 2017. This year’s lineup is packed with major stars, including Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Travis Scott, and One Republic, making it a highly anticipated event.
Mendes’ decision to return to the stage comes after he canceled the remainder of his 2022 Wonder World Tour due to the overwhelming stress of post-pandemic touring. At the time, he admitted, “I started this tour excited to finally get back to playing live after a long break due to the pandemic, but the reality is I was not at all ready for how difficult touring would be after this time away.”
Throughout his career, Mendes has been transparent about his struggles with mental health, particularly in his 2020 Netflix documentary Shawn Mendes: In Wonder. He has continuously expressed gratitude for his supportive fans, telling the Wall Street Journal in 2022, “I’m really grateful for all the people that were so accepting, loving, and kind. It’s amazing how much more focus there is on making mental health a priority.”
Fans are eagerly awaiting Mendes’ return to the stage, as his openness about mental health resonates with many and sets the tone for his highly anticipated performance at Rock In Rio.
