Eras Tour 2024: Taylor and Us

Disclaimer: This is not an indepth review of the concert. There are thousands of those out there. There are just as many live streams you can watch. So put on your google gloves and type away if that is what you seek.

Let’s go way back. Imagine it’s over a decade ago. Cellular data is scarce and expensive. You are on your way to Ted’s house (have you been to Ted’s house?) and the kids request we stream the new Taylor Swift album to the car stereo through the AUX IN port. Obviously from the headphone jack on the phone. And there you are, stuck in traffic waiting for a parade to pass on your way to Ted’s listening to Taylor Swift for the first time while burning up your minimal data plan. I can’t remember which album it was. If were a real fan, I would remember that. That was my first real introduction. It was with my family.

When our #2 child turned 22, the day of her cousin’s wedding, we woke her up at our Air BnB (carefully swept for cameras, of course) to the sound of “22”. Soon after that birthday, #1 child met his (now) fiancé. Good news, she is a Taylor Swift super fan.

Over all of those years I have continued to add more Taylor Swift songs to my morning walk playlist. Combine that with the playlist #2 child created for when we are in the car together and Taylor Swift (TS) songs now dominate my Apple Music year in review. Fortunately, when I switched over from Spotify, I lost all of the history of me listening to The Shaggs (My Pal, Foot Foot). No link provided, you are welcome!

When the Eras tour was announced, we contemplated trying to get tickets at a fly away destination. But that was fairly expensive and highly inconvenient. Then a miracle occurred, dates were added in Toronto and Vancouver. Toronto is only 4 hours away (on a good day). We registered at Ticketmaster and two of us “won” the certified fan lottery to have a chance at buying tickets. We got our time slots. #1 child’s SO got a slot on a Wednesday morning at the same time she was writing an exam. #1 child’s slot was on the Friday. I used the credentials for #1CSO and tried to buy tickets. I learned a lot, but did not get tickets. After that terrible disappointment I handed my notes off to #1C in order to prep him for the chaos and technology challenge of trying to get tickets. My advice included “don’t even attempt to decide if you like the seats” and “just pay the price”. #1C was successful (we all hope our offspring are more successful than us). He procured contiguous tickets in the lower bowl stage left. They came with the bonus of a “VIP” memorabilia package. Since you will ask, each ticket was expensive.

That was August, 2023. We were going to Toronto, Night 5 on Nov 22, 2024. We got on with life doing other things while trying not to reach peak excitement too early. During this quiet phase we did check periodically on what similar tickets were selling for on the legit re-sale sites. At one point we were sitting on a probable $30,000 CAD in total ticket value. We held our ground and our tickets as we knew we would not be able to replace the experience.

As the date approached we had many things to figure out. What shall we wear? How many friendship bracelets should we make and bring? Where will we stay? Will we drive or take the train?

#2C and I teamed up with Mrs Milddogs and made some bracelets. Many with what I thought were clever expressions. “Tuesday Night Olive Garden”. #2C and #2CSO made a tonne of them as well. Even better expressions like “Fuck the Patriarchy” (I wore one of those despite years of benefiting from the patriarchy).

Turns out #2SO has a very kind aunt with a condo somewhere between the stadium and the 401. And, she was going to be out of town. And she let us stay at her condo. I have never met said aunt, but I look forward to thanking her profusely. Saved us from driving home 4 hours post concert.

Time to get ready! #1C and #1CSO got into their Folklore/Evermore eras clothing. #2C slipped on her new cardigan and related clothing (from the same era). I dressed in comfortable clothes and tried not to be “creepy old guy”. Unsure if I succeeded.

We headed out 3 hours before show time to take in the outdoor experience. Turns out the outdoor experience was a lot like being jammed into a tin of sardines. After a few attempts to take pictures of the huge friendship bracelet on the Rogers Center entrance, we gave up and headed to our gate. Well prepared, we expected to be frisked and interrogated. Nope, none of that. “Come on in”.

First lie associated to the “VIP” tickets: “Access to a VIP only merchandise store”. Nope! The line up for merch was thousands of people long. All the merch shops were like that. We did not buy any merch. No BlueCrew nor QuarterZip. According to people that waited in line, it was 1.5 to 2 hours long. That’s fine, our VIP merch had shipped to our home (I should have included pictures of the merch).

We got settled in our seats. I was a tad concerned as the virtual tickets were on #1C’s phone (we brought an external battery charger, JIC) and I wondered if we would be able to leave our section without his phone. No problem! We never had to show any tickets/ID once inside the stadium.

We had a look around at the food drink options. Obviously limiting the drink intake for fear of the 45 minute lines to pee. Yup, I’m male and 94% of the audience was female, but the smart / bold ladies were using the men’s restroom. I assume the stalls, not the urinals.

We got a drink from the fancy drinks menu for #2C and we got some “Bejewelled Pretzels” for dinner. Drink was good and came in a souvenir orb cup. Pretzels were shit, but they were bejewelled (they made the whole room shimmer).

Early excitement while the crowd built was a huge mass of people all trying to catch a glimpse of someone. You should know that the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau was at this concert. Sure, he had the security, but the celeb people were trying to catch a glimpse of was Donna Swift, Taylor’s mom. For the record, I would have said hi to Justin if he was near us.

Despite my belief that I would be the only old fella there, the demographics of the audience were not what I expected. Relatively few young kids. Far too many MILF wannabes. And some old fellas like me. None of us creepy. This guy totally shamed me with his costume effort.

Keep in mind that everyone around us paid at least as much as us for their seats. Behind us were 5 people from New Jersey. Parents, 2 young daughters and the other guy (father’s brother?). Being from New Jersey, they were assholes. Dad talked just like Paul Teutul Sr. Fawgettaboutit. Worst of all, he treated his daughters like shit. And we could here it all prior to the show start, cause, being from New Jersey, there is no quiet voice and everything is an argument.

Beside me were a mid 30’s couple. She was short and could not see so she kept moving over into my space to try and see around the people in front. He spent most of the concert surfing on his phone. I was amazed at how many people spent a large amount of time on their phones. Not taking pictures. Sure, some were video conferencing with friends. Why stare at your friend on your phone while your friend stares at Taylor Swift broadcast from your phone? Anyway, I shant belabour the people, cause I don’t understand them.

Right on time, Gracie Abrams took the stage. I had practiced by listening to some Gracie Abrams the week before the concert. I found the vocals “airy” and the songs ok. At the concert, her voice was much more powerful. I enjoyed her set. She had the requisite over expression of gratitude peppered throughout.

Now it was time for the big event. Sixteen months in the making. Taylor was coming on stage right on time. Here we go. Fifteen months of anticipation was over, time for the show.

I’ll keep the review real and short. I cried during the opening number. I was so happy to be there with my kids (sure, adults, but still my kids). I was so happy that it meant so much to them and to most of the other 49,000 people that we shared this experience with. This was the most spectacular event I have ever attended and I was so happy to be there.

Some shots of the concert.

Whether you are a fan or not, Taylor deserves credit for putting on this amazing event. Just about 3 hours of performing (and performing quite well) while only taking short breaks. We appreciated the effort. Same goes for the dancers, back up singers and band.

The Jersey daughters behind us sang along with most of the songs. Normally that would annoy the fuck out of me, but their Jersey dad had already consumed all of my annoyance. Good on you girls, you were thrilled to be there and we are happy for you. Surprisingly, the Jersey crew departed fairly early (as did far too many people). Maybe Jersey dad had to bust a cap in someone or perhaps go a berate a fast food worker?

Was this the best concert I have ever been to? I’m going to say no. Yes, the best event ever (better than seeing Wayne Gretzky’s last game in Canada? Yes), but not the best concert. I think it is close but I would give the nod to seeing Rush in Montreal during their last tour ever (the R40 tour). Three dudes, up there in age, played for about 3 hours with a 20 minute intermission. No backup singers. No dancers (that would be funny) and no extra band members. The sound was great. I think it helps that we were on the floor about 20 rows back from the stage. I attended the concert with #1C.

Another contender was seeing the band Berlin in Detroit in the early 80’s. It was on their Love Life tour. The venue was a converted movie theater. We bought tickets late and we were in row AD or something like that. 30 rows back. Berlin was in their early stages (before “You Take My Breath Away) and they played their hearts out. They ran out of songs after the third encore so played one over again. I attended this one with some high school friends I have since lost contact with (I lost contact with all high school friends, only one common denominator there).

To conclude. Best event ever. Thrilled that I got to experience it with my kids and soon to be DIL. Thrilled that 49,000 other people were also thrilled to be there.

Thanks for the memories, Taylor. We appreciate you.

What’s next for milddogs? Mrs Milddogs and I are thinking of another early spring van trip. Stay tuned for details on that. Nice not having to take time off of work 🙂

Peace and Love!

<insert standard “so fortunate”, “I’m privileged”, and the required feigned guilt here>.