TL;DR
- Shania Twain performed at The Shacklewell Arms for 200 lucky fans.
- The gig was a throwback to her early days in small venues.
- Fans enjoyed a mix of classic hits and new songs.
- The atmosphere was electric with fans singing along.
- Twain’s next big gig is opening for Harry Styles.
Every megastar should be legally required to do this at least once. Take the lights, the band, the glam, and cram it all into a back room that smells strongly of week-old lager and has toilets that could only be described as a war crime. But Shania Twain got there first. The country-pop colossus, who has sold over 100 million records, traded her usual arena shows and glitzy Las Vegas residency for a cozy pub gig at The Shacklewell Arms in Dalston, London, on June 6. And let me tell you, it was nothing short of legendary.
Picture this: 200 sweaty fans crammed shoulder-to-shoulder, a stage so small you could practically hand her a blue WKD and a packet of scampi fries between songs. “Welcome to my very first time in a small bar,” she joked, grinning at the crowd. This was a night to remember, and the energy was palpable.
The event was hosted by Virgin, which meant it was a full-on party from the get-go. Cowboy hats greeted fans at the door, and Shania merch was on sale, alongside a drag show waiting to kick off after her performance. The crowd was a delightful mix of competition winners and a few lucky media folks, all buzzing with excitement. And yes, the huns and gays were out in full force, with one particularly tall straight man behind me who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else until the music started.
Twain, dressed to the nines in a sheer-sleeved black leather corset and high choker, took to the stage flanked by a band that was mostly women, including a banjo player. The setlist was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, featuring hits from her iconic album, Come On Over, including classics like “Any Man of Mine” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” The crowd sang every word, making it hard to hear her over the deafening chorus of fans.
She shared stories about her roots, reminiscing about her childhood in Timmins, Ontario, and how her influences shaped her unique sound. “I sort of consider myself a little bit more of all of those things with a country root,” she explained, referencing legends like Dolly Parton and Joni Mitchell. Twain even threw in a cover of Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” reminding everyone that she can rock just as hard as she can twang.
New single “Dirty Rosie” made an early appearance, and when the crowd erupted into chants for her mega-hit “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” she cheekily opted for “You Win My Love” instead. But honestly, who could blame her? The energy was electric, and the love in the room was undeniable.
As the night wound down, she closed with a raucous rendition of “Cotton Eye Joe,” leaving the crowd begging for more. The encore never came, but who could blame her? After all, she’s set to open for Harry Styles at Wembley just a few days later. Talk about a star on the rise!
So, if you missed this intimate gig, don’t worry. Shania Twain is still out there, bringing her magic to the masses. And who knows? Maybe she’ll surprise us all again in a cozy little pub somewhere. Until then, we’re left with the memories of a night that felt like a dream.