CONCERT REVIEW: Shania impresses us much in fun, emotional show

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Shania Twain
Scotiabank Arena
Sunday
RATING:***1/2 (3 and 1/2 out of four)

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Third time’s the charm for Shania Twain.

The ‘90s crossover country music star from Canada brought her Queen of Me tour to Scotiabank Arena on Sunday night after two earlier summer stops outdoors at Budweiser Stage this year.

And the Timmins-raised Twain clearly came to have fun and get a bit emotional too after she recognized coming home early in her two-hour and 15 minute show which saw her first appear on the floor on a small moving platform for the concert opener, Wake Up Dreaming, from her 2023 Queen of Me album.

“This was my training ground,” Twain, 58, recalled of taking 13-hour train rides from Timmins to Toronto early in her career.

“I’m super proud to be a Canadian.”

The production, relatively low-key by today’s standards, reflected that patriotism as the word Ontario showed up on the huge screen behind her during Don’t Be Stupid, the word Toronto during I’m Gonna Getcha Good – which saw Twain writhing around on a motorcycle – and the Canadian flag during Rock This Country!.

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Twain, backed by a six piece band including two incredible male backup singers-dancers and a female drummer, also showed off her great nephew who was brought up on stage by her nephew Dylan – the son of sister Carrie – and was impressed by the infant’s mellow behaviour despite some 20,000 fans staring at him.

“He was so good!” she exclaimed.

But it was an opera singer by the name of Daniella whose presence really made an impression as Twain explained she got an Instagram message from her before Sunday night’s show to say she had sung on stage with the country-pop star in the same venue 22 years ago when she was only eight years old and her dad was still alive.

Naturally, Twain had to bring Daniella – now 30 years old – back up on stage again Sunday night and asked her to sing some opera for the crowd which she gamely did with a bit of From This Moment On.

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“Is this really happening?” asked Daniella before telling Twain: “You changed my life.”

“I’m so proud of you,” responded an emotional Twain.

Otherwise, it was definitely the older hits that brought the fans – many decked out in cowboy hats (some glow in the dark), boots and fringed jackets – to their feet including Come On Over, Any Man of Mine, Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?, Honey I’m Home, Party for Two, and (If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta here.

There were also quieter moments that stood out like Still The One, which Twain told Toronto concertgoers was “our song,” From This Moment On, which saw about 20 fans brought on stage while Twain went around taking photos with them all and Forever And For Always which saw the place lit up with cellphone lights at Twain’s encouragement.

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Costume-wise, Twain kept it simple yet sexy on Sunday night in a black and camouflage top with lots of sequins and a long train over a black body suit, fishnet stockings, sparkly black platform shoes and lots of jewelry.

A costume change didn’t come until the very end as she reappeared for the encore songs, That Don’t Impress Me Much and Man! I Feel Like A Woman! in her famous leopard print floor-length shawl coat, bustier, pants, and shoes.

She explained she had only ever worn the outfit once during the famous video for That Don’t Impress Me Much so decided to take it on tour to wear whenever she liked.

Good decision, as the crowd roared its approval.

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SET LIST:

Waking Up Dreaming

Up!

Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)

I’m Gonna Getcha Good

Come On Over

You’re Still the One

Giddy Up

Any Man of Mine

Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?

Honey, I’m Home

Rock this Country!

Medley: Nah!/ She’s Not Just a Pretty Face/ Waiter! Bring Me Water!/ When / Thank You Baby! (For Makin’ Someday Come So Soon)

Pretty Liar

From this Moment On

Number One

Party for Two

Forever and For Always

(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here

ENCORE:

That Don’t Impress Me Much

Man! I Feel Like a Woman!

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