If there’s one thing Shawn Mendes knows how to do, it’s leave his fans completely flustered. And at his San Francisco show on October 14th, the Canadian heartthrob proved once again that he’s mastered the art of playful teasing.
The 27-year-old singer brought his “On The Road Again” tour to the Frost Amphitheater at Stanford, where the crowd had one very specific request: they wanted him shirtless. Like, immediately.
A Triumphant Return Worth the Wait
This tour has been a long time coming for Shawn – and for his devoted fanbase who’ve been patiently (okay, not so patiently) waiting for his return to the stage.
After canceling his 2022 Wonder Tour to focus on his mental health, Shawn came back stronger, more confident, and looking better than ever.
The “On The Road Again” tour kicked off in Europe this past August, celebrating the 10th anniversary of his debut album Handwritten.
But it’s also supporting his latest self-titled album Shawn, released in November 2024 – his most vulnerable, introspective work to date (where he even addressed those ongoing gay rumours).
And let’s be honest: the time away did him good. Between the emotionally raw performances, the sculpted physique that keeps making appearances on social media, and that newfound confidence that radiates from every stage he steps onto, Shawn’s comeback has been nothing short of magnetic.
He’s been performing career-spanning hits alongside deeply personal new tracks, getting up close with fans in ways that blur the line between concert and intimate encounter, and generally reminding everyone why they fell for him in the first place.
The tour has been generating viral moment after viral moment – from emotional breakdowns during “Mercy” to surprise celebrity duets.
So when the San Francisco crowd started making their desires very clear, they were just continuing a theme that’s been building all tour long.
“Take It Off! Take It Off!”
As Shawn performed under the California evening sky, eager fans began chanting in unison: “Take it off! Take it off!”
Now, this isn’t exactly an unusual request for Shawn. The singer has become somewhat famous for performing with open shirts that showcase his sculpted chest and abs, especially during warmer shows.
And honestly, can you blame fans for trying? The man knows what he’s working with, and he’s not shy about it.
But San Francisco in October? That’s a different story.
he’s such a flirt#OnTheRoadAgainSanFran pic.twitter.com/rZo956ERyW
— aly✨ (@heavyonshawn) October 15, 2025
“No way, alright, okay, no…” Shawn responded playfully, clearly amused by the enthusiasm and the audacity. Then came the gentle letdown: “It’s a little chilly for that.”
Cue the collective groan heard across the amphitheater.
The Flirty Comeback
But wait, there’s more.
In another fan-captured video from a different angle, Shawn delivered a line that had the entire amphitheater collectively losing it.
“You guys are cuuute,” he said with a grin, drawing out the word in the most flirtatious, devastating way possible.
shawn’s reaction to ppl telling him to take his shirt off bruh 😭 #OnTheRoadAgainSanFran pic.twitter.com/6KdnZndVGC
— liv (@rideshome) October 15, 2025
The kind of delivery that makes you forget how to breathe for a second. And then again, with that same playful smirk: “It’s a little chilly for that.”
Social media immediately erupted with reactions. “Of all the times I wished it would be hot in San Francisco…” lamented one fan, speaking for everyone who’s ever experienced Bay Area weather. Another wrote, “The way he said ‘you guys are cute’ has me WEAK.”
And honestly? Same.
For a guy who’s spent the better part of a decade navigating intense public scrutiny about everything from his relationships to his sexuality, Shawn seems to have found his stride.
The teasing confidence is new, and it looks damn good on him.
A Tour Full of Intimate (and Steamy) Moments
The San Francisco show is just one stop on what’s turning out to be a comeback tour for the books. And while Shawn kept his shirt on in the Bay Area chill, he’s been giving fans plenty of other reasons to lose their minds at stops across Europe and North America.
Getting Dangerously Close
Throughout the tour, Shawn has made it a habit to leave the stage during emotional songs like “Ruin,” “It’ll Be Okay,” and “In My Blood” to get up close and personal with fans.
And we mean really close – the kind of proximity that makes you forget you’re at a concert and not having a private moment.
At New York’s Forest Hills Stadium, he took things even further. Shawn left the stage entirely with just his mic stand and acoustic guitar to perform “Stitches” in the bleachers, letting fans swarm around him.
The footage shows him surrounded by screaming, crying fans as he sings inches from their faces. It’s intimate, it’s intense, and it’s the kind of thing that makes you wish you’d bought tickets to every single show.
The “Mercy” Bridge That Broke the Internet
If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the clips. Shawn performing the bridge of “Mercy” with such raw, vulnerable intensity that it’s impossible to look away.
The way he delivers those soaring notes – part desperation, part devotion – has been going viral repeatedly.
Fans have described it as “fragile and powerful all at once,” with one summing it up perfectly: “That bridge is iconic.”
The stripped-back arrangements he’s been using for these live versions only amplify the emotion, creating moments of intimacy with thousands of people that somehow feel personal.
Surprise Special Guests and Tender Moments
Shawn’s London show at the O2 Arena became an instant highlight when he brought out Niall Horan for a surprise duet of “This Town.”
Watching two gorgeous musicians harmonize while smiling at each other and strumming acoustic guitars? The fan footage captures the kind of easy chemistry that had everyone wishing they were there to witness it in person.
Oh, and that moment when Shawn says to Niall, “I can’t sing when you’re looking at me like that…”. Yep, understandable.
The moment carried extra weight – it marked Niall’s first live performance since the passing of his One Direction bandmate Liam Payne. Before leaving the stage, Niall told the audience: “I love you, and I love this guy. Take care of him.” The tenderness was almost too much to handle.
In Chicago, Shawn and opener Eddie Benjamin premiered a brand new song called “Home,” giving fans an exclusive first listen.
And in Vancouver, he performed “Youth” with Tia Wood, continuing his tradition of bringing special guests into his intimate concert bubble.
The Amsterdam Gender Reveal
Perhaps one of the most unexpectedly heartwarming (and slightly chaotic) moments came in Amsterdam, where Shawn helped a couple announce their baby’s gender.
He opened an envelope onstage and revealed they were having a girl, his genuine excitement creating a memory that couple will treasure forever. Leave it to Shawn to make even a gender reveal feel impossibly charming.
Birthday Boy in Budapest
Shawn also celebrated his 27th birthday during the Budapest show, turning the entire concert into a massive birthday party.
Though technical difficulties struck when his microphone stopped working at the end of “Wonder,” the crowd’s energy never wavered – probably because they were too busy admiring the birthday boy.
What’s Next
Whether he’s fully clothed or showing off those abs, one thing is crystal clear: Shawn Mendes has never been more comfortable being exactly who he is.
The confidence, the playfulness, the way he teases crowds with that knowing smile – it’s all part of a man who’s finally figured out that he doesn’t owe anyone anything except great music and authentic moments.
And honestly? That confidence is sexier than any shirtless photo could ever be. (Though let’s be real – we’re still absolutely not complaining about those either. Keep ’em coming, Shawn.)