“If you weren’t there, it’s hard to explain.” This phrase echoed through the Olympic Park in the early hours of September 23rd, 2024, as thousands left Rock in Rio with dazed smiles. The night belonged to Shawn Mendes. But it wasn’t just the singer on stage; it was something bigger, almost palpable. How can one describe the sound of 100,000 voices singing in unison? Or the feeling of watching an artist bare his soul and expose his heart, shining in every chord?
From the very first moment, the energy was electric. ‘There’s Nothing Holdin Me Back’ opened the set with an explosion of euphoria, but what followed was not merely a series of hits: it was an emotional journey. Shawn was the conductor of a symphony of feelings, and the audience responded to every gesture, every note, as if they were part of the composition. It was no longer just a show; it was a communion.
When he began to sing ‘Wonder’, the air felt lighter, but hearts were heavy with intensity. ‘Treat You Better’ served as the bridge between euphoria and the moment of pure vulnerability that would come with ‘Monster’. Without Justin Bieber by his side, Shawn was alone—or almost. The truth is, he had never been so accompanied: the audience took on the role of Bieber, each voice filling the spaces left by the acoustic version, and Rock in Rio, for a moment, was silenced only to listen to the echo of emotions.
But it was with ‘Youth’ that the festival transformed. The lights flashed to the beat, but it was the sparkle in people’s eyes that truly illuminated the scene. A sea of faces, young and vibrant, lifted their voices as one chorus. The power of youth that the music proclaims became real right there, at that exact moment. Shawn Mendes was not just singing about youth; he was seeing and feeling its essence in each person present.
And as if the magic of the night were not enough, Shawn Mendes surprised everyone with ‘Mas que Nada’. The first notes of the classic song by Jorge Ben Jor sent the crowd into an explosion of contagious joy. It was Shawn at a different level, transcending his own discography to merge with Brazil, with the carioca soul that vibrates at Rock in Rio.
Then, friends Eddie and Mike joined him on stage, and the atmosphere became even more intimate and welcoming. Shawn took a moment to share with the audience how much those friends meant to him, revealing how they had helped him in difficult times and inspired him to create music again, like ‘Why Why Why’ and ‘Isn’t That Enough’ from the new album set to release on October 18th. The simplicity of this gesture added a new depth to the show, as if Rock in Rio had turned into a gathering of old friends, where music healed and united everyone.
The audience, already wrapped in this aura of camaraderie and sincere emotions, was ecstatic when Shawn delivered unexpected covers. ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ brought a classic and alternative touch to the show, creating a surprise moment that only amplified the crowd’s love for him. And when he started ‘Message in a Bottle’, the energy was so intense that it felt impossible not to be swept away by the crowd. There was no longer a distinction between fan and bystander; everyone was immersed in the experience Mendes was offering that night.
Then came the climax, with ‘Mercy’ and ‘In My Blood’. Each final chord of ‘In My Blood’ felt like a rush of adrenaline, each word sung by the audience resonating as a cry of hope. The September sky lit up with fireworks, but it was the sparkle in Shawn’s eyes and those of everyone present that truly gave the epic finale its tone. At the peak of his emotion, Shawn said “I love you” and “thank you” once again in Portuguese, his voice choked and a smile that seemed to encompass the entire Olympic Park.
When the last chord echoed and the lights began to fade, one thing was certain: that night was more than a concert. It was a celebration of music, human connection, and the vulnerability of an artist who, more than ever, was in tune with his audience. Rock In Rio, known for hosting the biggest names in music, witnessed a Shawn Mendes that transcended the status of pop star and established himself as an emotional force that will continue to resonate for a long time.
In the end, as the phrase that echoed among fans went, “if you weren’t there, it’s hard to explain.” And perhaps that is the most beautiful part of it all.
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Words: Isabella + Isadora Wandermurem
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