The buzz intensified aboard the flight as a lively group of half a dozen girls and young women exchanged excited notes on their outfits, crafting a vibrant display of fandom with a mix of styles. “You’re doing Lover?” one asked eagerly, while another chimed in, “I’m going as Midnights!” A third added, “I’m going as Miss Americana.” Friendship bracelets were not only being made, but also traded among them, showcasing a camaraderie that transcended mere concert attendance. Some even embarked on this journey without tickets, holding onto the hope for a last-minute miracle that would allow them entry to this historic event. The enthusiasm continued to blossom at local bars and restaurants in the days leading up to the concert, where themed cocktails were whipped up, and every conversation inevitably revolved around the monumental event that had taken Toronto by storm.
As the clock struck Thursday night (Nov. 14), fans brimming with anticipation filled the Rogers Centre, eager for Taylor Swift to take the stage, marking the commencement of the Canadian leg of her illustrious and record-shattering Eras Tour. The atmosphere reached a fever pitch when the artist emerged, the opening notes of “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince” almost drowned out by the euphoric screams of those who had long awaited a performance that may not return for years to come.
“Here in 2024 we have taken Eras Tour all over the world,” Swift remarked early in her set, her voice filled with a blend of gratitude and excitement. “We went to Asia, we ventured across Australia, spent an entire summer captivating Europe, and even swung back through America; and then we thought, ‘If we are going to bring the Eras Tour to a close’ — which we are, with just nine shows left — ‘I wanted to spend those final moments with the most generous, encouraging, passionate, and enthusiastic fans.’ So we came to see you, Toronto.”
Before the concert kicked off, the vicinity of the venue was a vibrant sea of fans, many eagerly queuing to enter the moment the doors swung open, while others flocked to nearby bars and restaurants, the pulsating energy nearly palpable. Once Taylor Swift stepped onto the stage, it was as if the entire city had converged at the Rogers Centre to witness the exhilarating spectacle unfold. Here are the eight standout moments from her first of six electrifying nights in Toronto, with the anticipation of only eight shows remaining in the colossal 149-show Eras Tour.
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The Giant Traveling Friendship Bracelet
After its debut in New Orleans and subsequent appearances in Indianapolis, the giant friendship bracelet made its way internationally to Toronto, standing as a monumental tribute to the fan-driven tradition that has become synonymous with Eras Tour attendees. Positioned outside the Rogers Centre, this eye-catching accessory welcomed fans to the first of the six-night extravaganza. Despite facing high winds during its previous stint, it proudly remained upright on Taylor Swift Way, braving the chilly temperatures of Canada and serving as a cozy meeting point for those seeking to connect with fellow concert-goers before or after the show.
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Land Acknowledgement Opens the Night
Before Gracie Abrams took to the stage as the opener, a powerful message illuminated the main stage, proclaiming, “We acknowledge that we are performing today at Rogers Centre, located on Treaty 13 lands — traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional home of many other nations including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewa, and Wendat peoples. We acknowledge the First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples whose original and treaty territories we stand upon.”
Land acknowledgements serve as a vital means of recognizing indigenous peoples and their enduring connection to their ancestral lands, often extending a sign of respect and awareness; an initiative that Swift similarly embraced during her Australian leg to honor the Aboriginal peoples.
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Kam’s Toronto Shoutout
Among the revelations during the concert, one of the audience favorites, dancer Kam, delighted fans with his distinctive shout-out during “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” His playful adaptation embraced the local flair as he charmingly said, “Soorry — aboot it!”, instantly resonating with the crowd and highlighting the Canadian spirit.
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The Eras Tour For Everyone
“Tonight, we are embarking on a little adventure that will traverse the last 18 years of music,” Taylor explained enthusiastically as the show was just getting underway. “Here’s the thing — you’re about to hear a lot of songs during this set. These are songs that I penned about my own life, my feelings, or even experiences I created in my imagination. However, it’s all about to transform tonight, isn’t it? Because after this evening, when you hear these songs played out in the world, you’re going to think about the memories we forged tonight at the Eras Tour. I’ll be your host this evening… my name is Taylor.”
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Why the Eras Tour Matters
“I was only about 15 when I began my touring journey,” Swift shared warmly amidst the Red era of the performance. She addressed her devoted Canadian fans with sincerity, “So the truth is, nobody is coercing me to extend this tour. No one is suggesting I should go and see the fans in Canada. First and foremost, I absolutely adore you all — there was never a moment I intended not to visit. And, honestly, I’m having more fun on this tour than I’ve ever experienced in my life.”
“It’s the energy and the traditions you initiated that turned this into a full-blown event, an experience that feels unlike anything I’ve encountered before.” The heartfelt sentiment was palpable in the air as she remarked, “So truly, thank you to everyone here tonight who has embraced the concept of the Eras Tour. Because it makes this journey so much enjoyable for us.” Wrapping up her emotional reflection, she teased, “And I have one more song I’d like to share with you from the Red album. If you have about 10 minutes to spare…” The audience roared with excitement, knowing exactly what was to follow.
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‘Folklore’ As a Canadian Experience
“We brought the Folklore house to Canada!” Swift revealed with enthusiasm at the start of the portion dedicated to her pandemic masterpieces, encompassing both Folklore and Evermore.
“Doesn’t it feel like the entire Folklore era naturally belongs in Canada?” she mused as thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. “The vision I hold in my heart about Folklore takes place in a stunning, pristine natural setting—think wilderness, lush forests that have stood the test of time. It genuinely seems like we’re returning the Folklore era to where it truly belongs.”
“I began writing Folklore just two days into the pandemic, and I believe we all sought our forms of escapism during that time,” she shared. “This became mine: each day I would write, venturing into a writing style that diverged from my traditional approach. Pre-Folklore, I typically composed from a personal, autobiographical place, creating that ‘dear diary’ feel—a method I’ll always enjoy.”
“What thrilled me about Folklore was the shift towards a narrative perspective: I crafted characters who would experience love, heartbreak, and drama independent of my own life. And to cut to the chase,” she concluded, “Here’s a story about a character named Betty…”
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Surprise Song No. 1
As she transitioned into another highlighted segment of the show, the audience perked up in anticipation, knowing well that the surprise songs portion was a beloved tradition that Swift initiated. “This is a tradition that I started on the Eras Tour to challenge myself to showcase songs from different albums and eras,” she explained while introducing her first mashup: “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys” / “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things.” The former track, from her recent Tortured Poets Department, garnered a nod as she celebrated her recent Grammy nominations. “What you all accomplished over the past few months with Tortured Poets Department truly left me in awe, as it hit home emotionally. I poured my heart into crafting this album during the Eras Tour, attempting to keep it under wraps until its announcement. But the way you embraced it has meant the world to me.”
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Surprise Song No. 2
Shifting to the piano, she prepared for her second surprise mashup: “False God” / “’Tis the Damn Season,” uniting pieces from both Lover and Evermore that reflect on past loves. “I started this tradition on the Eras Tour to enlighten myself and share as many songs from different albums and eras as possible,” she reiterated enthusiastically.
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Toronto Night 1 Setlist
– **Kam’s Toronto Shoutout**: During the concert, dancer Kam entertained the audience by playfully incorporating local Canadian slang into the performance, endearing himself to the crowd with a charming shout-out.
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The Giant Traveling Friendship Bracelet
After its debut in New Orleans and subsequent appearances in Indianapolis, the giant friendship bracelet made its way internationally to Toronto, standing as a monumental tribute to the fan-driven tradition that has become synonymous with Eras Tour attendees. Positioned outside the Rogers Centre, this eye-catching accessory welcomed fans to the first of the six-night extravaganza. Despite facing high winds during its previous stint, it proudly remained upright on Taylor Swift Way, braving the chilly temperatures of Canada and serving as a cozy meeting point for those seeking to connect with fellow concert-goers before or after the show.
-
Land Acknowledgement Opens the Night
Before Gracie Abrams took to the stage as the opener, a powerful message illuminated the main stage, proclaiming, “We acknowledge that we are performing today at Rogers Centre, located on Treaty 13 lands — traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional home of many other nations including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewa, and Wendat peoples. We acknowledge the First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples whose original and treaty territories we stand upon.”
Land acknowledgements serve as a vital means of recognizing indigenous peoples and their enduring connection to their ancestral lands, often extending a sign of respect and awareness; an initiative that Swift similarly embraced during her Australian leg to honor the Aboriginal peoples.
-
Kam’s Toronto Shoutout
Among the revelations during the concert, one of the audience favorites, dancer Kam, delighted fans with his distinctive shout-out during “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” His playful adaptation embraced the local flair as he charmingly said, “Soorry — aboot it!”, instantly resonating with the crowd and highlighting the Canadian spirit.
-
The Eras Tour For Everyone
“Tonight, we are embarking on a little adventure that will traverse the last 18 years of music,” Taylor explained enthusiastically as the show was just getting underway. “Here’s the thing — you’re about to hear a lot of songs during this set. These are songs that I penned about my own life, my feelings, or even experiences I created in my imagination. However, it’s all about to transform tonight, isn’t it? Because after this evening, when you hear these songs played out in the world, you’re going to think about the memories we forged tonight at the Eras Tour. I’ll be your host this evening… my name is Taylor.”
-
Why the Eras Tour Matters
“I was only about 15 when I began my touring journey,” Swift shared warmly amidst the Red era of the performance. She addressed her devoted Canadian fans with sincerity, “So the truth is, nobody is coercing me to extend this tour. No one is suggesting I should go and see the fans in Canada. First and foremost, I absolutely adore you all — there was never a moment I intended not to visit. And, honestly, I’m having more fun on this tour than I’ve ever experienced in my life.”
“It’s the energy and the traditions you initiated that turned this into a full-blown event, an experience that feels unlike anything I’ve encountered before.” The heartfelt sentiment was palpable in the air as she remarked, “So truly, thank you to everyone here tonight who has embraced the concept of the Eras Tour. Because it makes this journey so much enjoyable for us.” Wrapping up her emotional reflection, she teased, “And I have one more song I’d like to share with you from the Red album. If you have about 10 minutes to spare…” The audience roared with excitement, knowing exactly what was to follow.
-
‘Folklore’ As a Canadian Experience
“We brought the Folklore house to Canada!” Swift revealed with enthusiasm at the start of the portion dedicated to her pandemic masterpieces, encompassing both Folklore and Evermore.
“Doesn’t it feel like the entire Folklore era naturally belongs in Canada?” she mused as thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. “The vision I hold in my heart about Folklore takes place in a stunning, pristine natural setting—think wilderness, lush forests that have stood the test of time. It genuinely seems like we’re returning the Folklore era to where it truly belongs.”
“I began writing Folklore just two days into the pandemic, and I believe we all sought our forms of escapism during that time,” she shared. “This became mine: each day I would write, venturing into a writing style that diverged from my traditional approach. Pre-Folklore, I typically composed from a personal, autobiographical place, creating that ‘dear diary’ feel—a method I’ll always enjoy.”
“What thrilled me about Folklore was the shift towards a narrative perspective: I crafted characters who would experience love, heartbreak, and drama independent of my own life. And to cut to the chase,” she concluded, “Here’s a story about a character named Betty…”