TORONTO 鈥� Taylor Swift offered her Canadian fans a warm embrace on the first night of the six-date Toronto stop for The Eras Tour.
The Nashville pop singer paused several times during the three-hour concert to show her appreciation for a city that鈥檚 welcomed her with open arms and much anticipation.
鈥淵ou guys have turned this into something that feels more than just a concert,鈥� she said during an early break.
鈥淭he way the city of Toronto has embraced us and welcomed us. We notice all of that.鈥�
It was one of many moments Swift took to recognize the love she鈥檚 received from Canadians.
Swift opened the show with 鈥淢iss Americana & the Heartbreak Kid鈥� and 鈥淐ruel Summer" before pausing to take in the enthusiasm radiating from the stadium.
She exclaimed "Oh Toronto, we are so back!" and encouraged her fans to cheer more.
Later, while leaping into the 鈥淔olklore鈥� era, she suggested that the rustic album might best be suited for the north.
鈥淒oesn鈥檛 it seem like the entire 鈥楩olklore鈥� era belongs in sa国际传媒?鈥� she asked to a roar from the audience.
鈥淭he kind of place I imagined in my mind, where 鈥楩olklore鈥� took place, is very natural 鈥� wilderness, beautiful, forests that have been since the beginning of time. And this kind of feels like we鈥檙e returning the 鈥楩olklore鈥� era to where it belongs anyway.鈥�
Enthusiastic superfans turned downtown Toronto into Swiftmania Central Thursday, gathering to sing songs, make friendship bracelets and compliment each other's carefully crafted outfits that reflect the singer's different Eras.
The city has been preparing for her visit for a year, with officials changing transit routes, deploying security and eagerly promoting the concerts and parallel events as a highlight for tourists.
Thursday was the first of six shows scheduled for the city, each night drawing roughly 50,000 fans.
After Toronto, she's set to fly to Vancouver for three nights in early December. That's where she will wrap up her Eras Tour, which began in March 2023.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.
David Friend, The Canadian Press
