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Shania Twain: Homecoming
Queen of Country Pop, Shania Twain, had her homecoming for two back-to-back shows in Toronto’s Great Canadian Casino on July 14 and 15 of 2025. It was a celebration of the legacy she has built over the decades.
Alli Walker
The evening opened with rising Canadian country-rock artist Alli Walker, donning black leather chaps, a cheetah-print shirt, and a matching black hat and vest combo. From the start, Walker brought high energy, engaging the crowd, who responded with cheers, whistles, and loud applause. It wasn’t until the fourth song that she paused to introduce herself, revealing her Prince Edward Island roots before picking up a guitar for a heartfelt ballad.
Walker spoke candidly about the honour of opening for Shania Twain. She then brought a surprise twist: electric bagpipes. The sound lit up the crowd, with feet tapping and heads nodding in rhythm. Launching into a series of covers, including “Thunderstruck,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” and a crowd-favourite rendition of “Devil Went Down to Georgia.” At the end of her set, she gracefully thanked everyone, followed by a full-band outro.
Shania Twain
The band took their places atop an elevated platform, and chants of “We’re gonna rock!” echoed. Shania Twain made her grand entrance, shimmering in a white button-down, black shorts, and glittering heels. Shania launched into “Rock This Country!” with Canadian flag visuals flashing behind her, a fitting tribute for her Ontario homecoming. By the second song, “Don’t Be Stupid,” the crowd was entirely in sync, clapping with her iconic, feel-good energy. The visuals were nothing short of dazzling. Neon graphics danced across the screens during “You Win My Love,” playfully nodding to the casino setting with imagery reminiscent of slot machines.
After a series of upbeat anthems, Shania took a moment to welcome her fellow Ontarians warmly. Where “it all started” and “where she wrote a lot of her songs.” This segued seamlessly into a powerful version of “Wake Up Dreaming,” sung with unfiltered sincerity. She poured her heart into every lyric, making sure even the fans in the back felt seen.
Her set soared again with “Up!” and “I’m Gonna Getcha Good!”, keeping everyone on their feet before she took a seat center stage for a more intimate segment. She brought out her guitar, inviting the audience to sing along to “You’re Still the One.” Then called her nephew on stage for a “family photo,” reminding everyone to cherish the moment. Her heartfelt dedication of “From This Moment” to a couple in the crowd and their daughter deepened the emotional resonance of the night.
The set closed with a high-octane run, including “Any Man of Mine” and “Party for Two,” where Lindsay Ell joined her. But it was her final look, a Canada hockey jersey with a sparkling maple leaf, that truly sealed the night as an unapologetically Canadian, joyfully nostalgic, and powerful celebration of home, heart, and heritage.
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