I WAS THERE, IT WAS RARE
Strap in, because I had the time of my life
I have post-Taylor Swift letdown, and I know I share this affliction with millions. The record-annihilating Eras Tour is now over. And I was a teeny tiny part of it.
My drive to Vancouver BC on Sunday was about five and a half hours, with just a 10-minute wait at the border (because Sunday). My border agent looked a little like Oscar Isaac and gave me a great smile when I told him I was there to see Taylor Swift. I asked him if he wanted a friendship bracelet, which he did, and so I gave him one that said ERAS TOUR. As he handed me back my (brand-new) passport, he said, “I hope you’re ready for it!”
What a great first impression of Canada!
I got to the Marriott Pinnacle Downtown about 45 minutes later, grateful for the room my friend Tom had gotten me so I wouldn’t be stuck in the Vrbo an hour away. The “Van Marriott” (as the staff calls it) went ALL OUT for the Swifties. I mean, it was above and beyond any expectations you might have for a hotel.
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The fact that my room was on the 22nd floor was another bit of kismet. I don’t know about you, but I was feeling that harbor view.
I immediately went down to the 3rd floor, where they had a huge setup to make friendship bracelets, as if I hadn’t brought like 100 of them with me already.
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After that, I half-heartedly attempted a disco nap, but my brain wouldn’t allow for it. Instead, I texted my friend Chris Willman about coordinating our meetup at Will Call, where he would have a real paper ticket for me. I love a ticket as a souvenir, as I wasn’t about to drop $90 on a tour hoodie (sidebar: Eras Tour merch is now up to 70% off on Taylor’s website, which I accurately predicted when texting with my friend Christine, who went to the show on Saturday night with our friend Irelyn. They bought merch there anyway and had a blast up in Section 435, partially obstructed behind the stage, but still, THEY WERE THERE).
I coordinated my sparkly outfit on a text chain with my mom, sister-in-law, and four nieces (Olivia, who’s turning 22 next month; Bianca, 19; and the 12-year-old twins, Lacey and Mattie, all of whom are Swifties and have seen the Eras Tour) and they determined this was the final lewk.
I also had made a ton of friendship bracelets to swap at the show, and armed myself accordingly.
I took a cab which got me as close to BC Place as it could, then walked with my fellow Swifties as we navigated the confusing maze of entry lines at the gates.
Check out the Mounted Police horses with the friendship bracelets!
Chris was waiting at Will Call and we figured out the lay of the land inside of BC Place. Chris occasionally stopped to take pictures of all of the cool outfits and costumes, as well as to ask Swifties for quotes for his article for Variety.
Finally, we got to our amazing seats.
Next to us was our friend Rob Sheffield, who writes for Rolling Stone and is also the author of “Heartbreak Is the National Anthem,” essential reading for any Swiftie.
Both Chris and Rob have covered Taylor’s entire career, interviewed her, and seen multiple shows on the Eras Tour. During Gracie Abrams’ opening set, the legendary Tree Paine visited us where she’d deliberately seated us in Row 13 of the B stage section. She greeted me as if she knew who I was and gave me a quick, tight hug. Tree is Taylor’s publicist and is a stunningly gorgeous statuesque powerhouse who Chris has known since even before she worked for Taylor.
Before the show and during the set break, I swapped a TON of bracelets. By the end of the show, it felt like my forearms couldn’t breathe, because I also had the light-up bracelet and the floor access wristband.
And then, it was time. The final countdown began.
After that, I did my best to be in the moment, but I also knew I wanted as many pictures and videos as possible to share. I wanted people to know how it sounded in there, what it felt like.
Like when she sang “Love Story,” and I was crying but tried not to get it on video.
And when the last girl got the last “22” hat and I was crying.
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And of course, I had to record all of the very last “All Too Well,” which fully wrecked me.
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There were so many highlights, but this post is already crazy long, so I’ll just share the last mashup from the last acoustic set that made us all cry.
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Now, some of the rest of the show, photo-dump style.
Chris was kind enough to drive me back to my hotel, which was great because I was exhausted. The show was AMAZING in all of the ways, but anyone who was at even one Eras Tour show will tell you it’s a test of physical stamina to make it to the end without your back feeling like it’s going to implode. Or maybe that’s just us Olds, who used every set change to set our asses down until Taylor returned to the stage for the next Era.
When I got back to my room, there was a lovely little gift from the Van Marriott to help me decompress. I decided to bring it home instead, because I just wanted to crash. In fact, I was so tired, I took this picture after I got home.
My drive home yesterday was the literal opposite of my drive up. It was a nearly two-hour wait to cross the border, then there was nightmare traffic all the way to Tacoma. The less I say about it, the better for me, but I’m taking the train the next time I head up there because what should have been a 5 1/2 hour trip was over 8 hours. But it was still totally worth it, of course.
I was at the final show of the most historic tour in music history. I don’t care how tired I still am (even though I went to bed last night at 9:30 and slept for 9 hours).
It was rare, I was there, and I’ll remember it forever.
And my concert bracelet is still flashing, because Taylor Swift is just that magical of a human being.
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I am so VERY happy for you!!!!!!! So glad that the experience was every bit as magical as you hoped, and that you had such a terrific time. Definitely the kind of experience that lasts a lifetime, huh?
;) <3
This made me smile, thanks, Tara.