THREE YEARS AGO, Shawn Mendes was a teenager posting six-second covers on Vine. This October, he’s playing Manila.

The Canadian singer-songwriter is part of the lineup for Smart Music Live, the concert series from mobile network Smart Communications, which kicks off this Thursday, July 14, with a show featuring Ely Buendia and Up Dharma Down. Filipino fans should be very excited by now.

From Vine to the Charts

Born Shawn Peter Raul Mendes to a Portuguese father and an English mother, Shawn built a huge following in 2013 on Vine, the short-video app. That led to a recording deal with Island Records in January 2014, and his first single, “Life of the Party,” in June 2014. His debut studio album, ‘Handwritten,’ followed, and its single “Stitches” reached the top 10 in the US and Canada and number one in the UK.

Since then, his brand of music has found millions of fans around the world. His new album, ‘Illuminate,’ is due this September, and just three days ago he released his newest single, “Ruin,” in the US.

The Rest of the Lineup

Before Shawn, Smart is bringing Selena Gomez to Manila on July 31, and a roster of artists for the ‘In the Mix’ concert on August 18.

Kat Luna-Abelarde, first vice president and head of Wireless Consumer Operations at Smart, says the network offers subscribers live, up-close experiences “because we know that music is one of the pillars of digital entertainment.”

The concerts pair with the recently launched Smart Life app, where subscribers can get to music and their other passions more easily. “And since Smart Life is bringing the entire music experience with you, anywhere you go, Smart Music Live on the other hand, brings subscribers right where music happens and up close with your favorite local and foreign artists,” she added.

For more details, visit smart.com.ph/Pages/musiclive.