Shawn Mendes to headline 'MTV Unplugged' episode Sept. 8

Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Shawn Mendes will be the first artist featured when the new version of MTV Unplugged debuts Sept. 8, the cable network announced.

"MTV revolutionized the performance storytelling space when it launched MTV Unplugged almost 30 years ago," Amani Duncan, MTV's senior vice president of music, said in a statement Thursday. "The Unplugged series allows artists to reimagine their songs in an intimate and acoustic medium, giving their fans a new perspective on their favorite hits. We're thrilled to have multi-platinum singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes launch this new season."

"I'm so thrilled and honored to be able to help bring the Unplugged series back," added Mendes. "It's a show that truly highlights artistry and brings unique performances to fans that they can't see anywhere else."

MTV Unplugged premiered in 1989 and ran regularly as a series through 1999, with fresh specials broadcast sporadically after that. Among the artists to appear on the program were Nirvana, Jay-Z, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Miley Cyrus, Tony Bennett, Mariah Carey, Katy Perry, Lil Wayne, Adele and Florence + The Machine.