Taylor Swift hit the stage in Toronto for her first show Thursday night, and the first Eras Tour stop in Canada, greeting a sold-out crowd in a signature glittery bodysuit as Swifties rejoiced.
While belting out hit “Cruel Summer,” she asked the crowd to join in on the bridge as she walked down the ramp to the front of the stage. When the song ended she stopped to take it all in, slowly pointing to the crowd around the arena as each section erupted.
““It brings me so much joy to say these words to you – Toronto welcome to the Eras tour!”
Swift acknowledged how Toronto has gone the extra mile to welcome her and says it’s a different experience than she’s had in any other city.
She called Toronto fans the most generous, welcoming, encouraging and excited.
The anticipation was palpable around Roger’s Centre leading up to the show, with sequin-clad fans of all ages lined up for hours before the gates opened.
Every step was marked by a selfie, with spontaneous sing-alongs of a favourite song and periodic eruptions of gleeful cheers.
Toronto has been primed and prepped for weeks ahead of the megastar’s arrival. Streets were temporarily renamed, transit modified and every available advertising surface covered in glittery promotional posters.
As fans entered the sold out arena, packing it all the way to the rafters, it was clear the crowd didn’t need much warming up. A giant screen with a mosaic of Swift photos as a background played behind-the-scenes footage of Swift’s video shoots as hundreds of photos were snapped for posterity.
Friends were being made in the floor seats as they swapped Swift stories and friendship bracelets.
More to come
