The Taylor Swift love affair that exploded over the past 10 days in Toronto for the pop star’s Eras Tour shows came to a close Saturday night with the final concert.
Bedecked and bedazzled Swifties of all ages descended on the Rogers Centre one last time, some to see their favourite artist live and others still desperately trying to snag last-minute tickets.
Since the first of the six sold-out shows opened on Nov. 14, the city anticipated an economic infusion of more than $282 million and up to 500,000 visitors. Some of those at Swift’s shows included “Law & Order SVU” actress Mariska Hargitay, Leafs players and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who showed off his dance moves at Friday’s show.
On Saturday evening, flocks of high-spirited concertgoers braved 5C temperatures outside the stadium dressed on-theme in faux fur coats, cowboy hats, glitter boots and whimsical dresses while grooving to their favourite Swift songs as they waited in line and shared friendship bracelets.
Groups of Swifties on the redubbed “Taylor Swift Way” — Blue Jays Way and Bremner Boulevard — took photos of the giant friendship bracelet on the front of the Rogers Centre, a hot attraction during the pop star’s sold-out shows.
The surge of energy and sense of community among fans could be felt in the air.
“I’ve gone to a lot of concerts, but it’s really cool to see how involved the city is with it and, like, how many things are relating to it,” said Emma Van Schaik, 18, who came from Waterloo with her sisters Alison, 20, and Abby 23.
The trio had been anticipating the concert since they landed presale tickets in August, 2023, and said the entire Swift experience in Toronto has been “unforgettable.”
Saturday’s concert was their first Eras Tour show, but not their first time seeing Swift play live after attending her 2018 Reputation tour in Toronto — their first-ever concert — after the sisters got tickets from their parents for Christmas.
They credit their mom for their love of the global pop star. “We’ve grown up on it. She (mom) loves the music. We all love the music. Our dad … he also loves the music now, too,” said Alison.
“I think it’s the connection with being able to be around people who also love her music just as much, and be able to sing these songs in a stadium full of 50,000 people who all love this,” said Alison. “It’s just that connection that you don’t get outside of concerts like this.”
In from Quebec, friends Clementine Gagne, 19, and Jenny Côté, 18, drove hours to get to Toronto early Friday morning on the chance they could get last-minute tickets.
The pair, best friends since they were eight years old, said seeing Swift together was their long-time dream. And the sign they held, as they wandered outside the stadium, showed it.
Côté had a single ticket to Saturday’s show which she ultimately sold for face-value, saying she would never leave behind her friend.
“We couldn’t imagine seeing Taylor without each other,” Gagne said. “If she doesn’t go, then I don’t go and if I don’t go then she decided she didn’t want to go.”
The demand for tickets to Saturday’s show was apparent on resale ticket platforms StubHub and SeatGeek where prices ranged from about $4,000 to $49,000.
Despite what was looking to be a lack of success at getting tickets, the pair said they at least got to enjoy the Eras Tour experience through the electric mood of concertgoers and the programming of the city.
“The vibe is insane even though we’re outside. People are so nice,” Côté said, adding that locals were “gentle” and approachable when they needed help with directions. “We traded bracelets with so many strangers and it’s really the vibe. We just wish we could get inside; it would be even better.”
