Fans gather for Taylor Swift’s first concert in Toronto – Brandon Sun

TORONTO – Pop superstar Taylor Swift will kick off the first of six shows in Toronto tonight.

The singer is embarking on her record-breaking tour for the Canadian leg, which hits the Rogers Center over 10 days.

The visit led to numerous side events, including various fan-focused parties and tourism promotions.

At the same time, the city is preparing for possible traffic congestion as downtown workers and concertgoers take to the streets at almost the same time.

Here is the latest situation:

LAST LEADERSHIP

A light rain started to fall on Rogers Center, where Taylor Swift will take the stage this evening.

Small crowds are still gathering outside the venue, some hoping to snag last-minute tickets for the sold-out show.

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DEEP CUTTING REFERENCES

Hamilton resident Amy Ladouceur delved deep into the fandom with her appearance, dressing as Greek Philosopher Aristotle in a sly nod to Swift’s “So High School” in the “Department of Tortured Poets.”

In the song, Swift sings: “You know how to play ball

“I know Aristotle,” she says, referring to the different interests between herself and her football boyfriend.

“It’s the end of the tour and a lot of costumes have been used so far,” Ladouceur said of his appearance.

“We were trying to wear costumes that people weren’t wearing.”

The details were very specific. He wore a toga, a gold laurel wreath, and a gray false beard. On its back was written: “I know Eras-totle.” He was sure his Swift friends would get the reference.

“These are my people, that’s what he did. “They know the lines and they know all the lines.”

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KEEPING HOPE

Marsha Stagg, wearing a large friendship bracelet-like necklace outside the Rogers Center, held up a sign that read “We need (tickets).”

Stagg had come from Stephenville, NFL, hoping to get last-minute tickets for his best friend who had stage 4 cancer.

“It’s on his bucket list,” Stagg said. “He didn’t think he would make it this far.”

He said Stagg and his group of friends had known each other since kindergarten, and their friendship was symbolized by Swift’s music.

While Stagg said he hasn’t found any clues about the tickets yet, he said he hasn’t lost hope.

“We’re going to make it happen,” Stagg said. “I know we’ll get in.”

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ALL WERE DRESSED

Between sparkly tops and cowboy boots, a few fans went the extra mile to pay tribute to Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce on opening night at Rogers Center.

Chad White flew in from Boston, planning to wear a fully outfitted Kansas City Chiefs football jersey in tribute to No. 87. However, he said he had to make do with a jersey, gloves and pads because security did not allow him to carry it with him. football helmet.

“I’m a big Halloween guy, so I love costumes,” he said before the show started.

White says this was the second Swift Eras Tour concert he attended with partner Joanna O’Brien, and after last time Joanna O’Brien got dressed and he didn’t, he decided it was time to get into the spirit.

“She wanted me to dress up. And I wasn’t dressing like Lavender Haze,” the firefighter said, referencing one of Swift’s songs.

“All my friends are going to hear about this, and I’m a Patriots fan, so this is really a betrayal.”

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OUTSIDE THE CITY

Among the tourists who came to the city were Lina and My Jae from upstate New York.

Wearing “Midnight”-themed glitter tops and sashes that looked like giant friendship bracelets, delighted fans said they were hoping to see “mum and dad Swift.”

Swift’s boyfriend, football player Travis Kelce, is often seen on her shows, but it is not yet known whether he will come to Toronto.

The sisters each spent about $1,800 for ground tickets, but they say the price was worth it.

My Jae said, “You know, the money is coming back, but the Taylor Swift Eras Tour is not coming back.”

Lina Jae added, “Memories will be created and it will be worth it.”

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sparkling grin

Meagan Morin, 27, of Ottawa, booked an Airbnb in July but was only able to get her tickets nine days in advance.

Morin, a singer, bought them at face value from Ticketmaster, spending $600.

What if Morin had failed to get a ticket during the last showing of the sold-out show?

“I would sit here and beg,” said Morin, wearing a denim jumpsuit adorned with glitter and hand-embroidered with the titles of Swift’s albums.

“It feels like such a big family right now, I’m so excited.”

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EXCITED FANS

Fans gathered in front of the Rogers Center hours before the concerts started.

Swift’s discography plays on the speakers and concertgoers sing along.

Friends Savannah Williams and Karenza Federinko, from Niagara Falls, Ont., were among those who bought tickets during pre-sale thanks to one of their 30 verified accounts.

Backstage in episode 103, they said they got a great deal and only spent $60 to $75 per person.

“I love ‘Department of Tortured Poets,'” said Williams, 21, who wore a T-shirt that read “But Daddy I Love Her,” referencing one of the songs on Swift’s latest album.

Federinko, 23, said his favorite Swift music is her previous albums “Speak Now” and “Fearless.”

Swift’s three-and-a-half-hour show covers different “Eras” of her singing career.

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TAYLGATE OPENS THE DOORS

Taylgate, Toronto’s unofficial Taylor Swift-adjacent party, has opened its doors to fans.

The event at the Metro Toronto Convention Center is just down the street from the concert venue.

Inside, there’s a beading station for fans to make their own friendship bracelets, as well as plenty of setups for photo opportunities.

These include a giant pair of heart-shaped hands, a large blue guitar, and a large metal snake representing Swift’s “reputation” era.

Taylgate bills itself as a pre-concert party, a waiting area for parents of ticket holders, and an alternative event for those who can’t get tickets.

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MAYOR WRISTBANDS

Toronto’s mayor is getting in the Taylor Swift spirit today, showing off her friendship bracelet-adorned arm at a city council meeting.

Olivia Chow said she attended a Swift-themed bracelet-making event at the Toronto Public Library branch last night and made eight bracelets, including one that said “bike lane.”

Chow says making and exchanging bracelets and seeing people connect through music was an enjoyable time.

Welcomes all Swifties and pop stars in town.

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TAYLOR TRAFFIC

Parts of downtown Toronto will be closed to cars today in anticipation of Taylor Swift concertgoers.

Some roads near Rogers Center are restricted or completely closed to local traffic due to the influx of people attending tonight’s concert or side events.

Dozens of buses and trams were added to the routes around the stadium.

The GO Transit system, which connects the Greater Toronto Area, has added extra trips and extended operating hours in some areas.

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WORKERS’ FIGHT

Skyrocketing hotel prices during Taylor Swift’s concerts have led to labor action by a group of hotel service workers in Toronto.

They say they will hold a rally outside the Fairmont Royal York today to demand a pay increase in order to sign a new contract with the hotel.

The Unite Here Local 75 union branch represents 8,000 hospitality workers in the Greater Toronto Area.

Some hotel rooms and short-term rentals in Toronto are priced 10 times more than other weekends, with some advertised for up to $2,000 per night.

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EARLY ARRIVALS

Fans decked out in Taylor Swift concert merchandise were among the morning commuters heading to Union Station on Thursday morning.

A handful of Swifties wearing T-shirts emblazoned with Eras Tour dates were eating croissants at the transit hub, a few minutes’ walk from concert venue Rogers Center.

A few blocks away in the heart of the financial district, a Swift-like young woman with heart-shaped glasses bumped into a Starbucks next to the weekday office bustle.

–With files from Nicole Thompson, Rianna Lim, Allison Jones, and David Friend

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.