Montreal was in for a night of nostalgia, energy, and pure Canadian talent as Shawn Desman made his highly anticipated stop at MTELUS. With a packed room filled with longtime fans ready to relive the early 2000s, the evening delivered everything from heartfelt sing-alongs to explosive stage production. Opening the show was Quebec’s own Zach Zoya, stepping in with charisma and musical talent that set the perfect tone for the night.
Originally from Rouyn-Noranda in northwestern Quebec, Zach Zoya has been building momentum in the province’s pop, R&B, and hip hop scene. For the Montreal stop of the tour, he stepped in to replace Jamie Fine, who unfortunately couldn’t make the show.
Even with the last-minute change, Zach brought an upbeat spirit and a smooth, engaging performance that immediately captured the crowd. His music, full of rhythm and catchy hooks, filled MTELUS with a fresh energy that perfectly set the stage for the night’s headliner. Fans responded well to his confident presence, making his opening set a strong highlight and a fitting warm-up for what was to come.
Toronto-born R&B and pop artist Shawn Desman rose to fame in the early 2000s, and his return to the stage in Montreal felt like a wave of nostalgia crashing over the audience. The crowd skewed older—fans who grew up with his music—and the atmosphere was electric from the moment he stepped out with a full band, dancers, and CO2 blasters.
Shawn kicked off the night with his hit song “Electric,” instantly pumping up the room. Throughout the set, he danced, reached into the crowd, and sang alongside fans, creating intimate and emotional moments that showed how deeply his music still resonates.
He spoke warmly about his love for Montreal, repeating “Je t’aime” multiple times, which only amplified the audience’s connection to him. With an incredible turnout and a performance full of energy, nostalgia, and gratitude, Shawn Desman proved exactly why he remains a beloved Canadian legend.
