Watch Shawn Mendes Debut New Breakup Song ‘When You’re Gone’ at SXSW

Shawn Mendes debuted a brand new music at South by Southwest Saturday throughout his headlining efficiency on the Billboard + Samsung’s The Stage occasion in Austin.

Performing earlier than 5,000 followers on the Moody Amphitheater in Austin, the singer shared that he was excited to be engaged on new music earlier than launching into “When You’re Gone,” an uptempo pop-rocker that sees Mendes lamenting the top of a relationship.

Watch: @ShawnMendes debuts new observe “When You’re Gone” at #SXSW “I’m simply attempting to carry on trigger I don’t wish to know what it’s like once you’re gone” ? pic.twitter.com/JI8iO3McAf

— Tim Chan (@mrtimchan) March 20, 2022

“It’s laborious for me to let go of you, so I’m simply attempting to carry on,” he sings within the refrain, including that “I don’t wish to know what it’s like once you’re gone.”

Whereas Mendes didn’t reveal what — or who — the music was about, the lyrics to “When You’re Gone” might trace on the singer’s long-term relationship with Camila Cabello, which ended final fall. “I didn’t know that loving you was the happiest I’ve ever been,” Mendes sings towards the top of the refrain, whereas the second verse finds him admitting that “I have to learn to cope with out you. I’m attempting to guard myself however solely you understand how to.”

“When You’re Gone” was one in every of 11 tracks on Mendes’ SXSW setlist, which additionally included hits like “Deal with You Higher,” “There’s Nothing Holding Me Again” and “Senorita” (sans Cabello). Mendes additionally introduced a fan out on stage to duet on “305,” a music off his 2020 album Surprise. With Covid having put his Wonder Tour on maintain after the album was launched, Saturday’s occasion was the primary time Mendes carried out “305” dwell in live performance.

It was additionally one of many first occasions Mendes carried out his present single, “It’ll Be Okay” in a dwell setting. The breakup ballad served as a pleasant intro into “When You’re Gone,” which had followers within the viewers singing again the catchy refrain virtually instantly.

tonight in austin pic.twitter.com/InGAasTPjq

— Shawn Mendes (@ShawnMendes) March 19, 2022

Mendes’ SXSW set was a particular efficiency for Billboard + Samsung. The singer kicks off his personal tour this week in Europe earlier than coming again to North America for a string of dates this summer.