For our first ever UK concert we chose East London’s O2 Arena, and Sean Mendes. Thousands of fans were queuing up to get inside the building when we arrived and the atmosphere inside was electric. On a platform at the centre of the arena was a giant rose to represent his hit single Roses.
Canadian support act Alessia Cara performed for about half an hour beforehand. Although not a big star yet, Cara interacted with the audience brilliantly and the two songs we recognised – Scars and Stay– were catchy and meaningful.
As soon as Mendes appeared on stage, the crowd started screaming. The star lived up to his reputation for being humble and down-to-earth by wearing a pair of jeans and a simple shirt. He is proof that when you have talent you don’t need much else, except maybe a a guitar, which in this case Mendes played beautifully throughout, from his first song Lost in Japan to the very end.
Mendes mixed well-loved songs such as Stitches and There’s Nothing Holding Me Back with new ones that proved just as catchy.
It turned out that we were very lucky to be sat near the platform with the rose on it, because Mendes left the main stage to come and sing on it, meaning that we could see him up close.
His performance included acoustic and electric guitar but the most magical moment for us was when he switched his signature instrument for a piano, including for his Coldplay tribute cover version of Fix You. It was one of those ‘goose bumps’ moments that a good concert always gives you.
The show’s last section was as energetic as its first, with Mendes playing some signature numbers such as Mercy. But the song he chose to end with was In My Blood in which he opened up about his problems with anxiety. It was a heartfelt end that gave way to a spectacular moment as two cannons fired confetti into the air.
So our first London concert was a great one. Shawn Mendes can perform brilliantly but naturally at the same time, and we and the rest of his fans loved every minute of it.
All photos and videos taken by Ava Rogha and Elena Donatone