Many Quebec fans are saddened not to see Taylor Swift in Canada on the occasion of the tour eras, which takes her all over the world. Others, more dedicated, did not want to sit idly by: they opened their wallets to meet their favorite singer.
Audrey Beauregard is one of these “Swifties”, the name given to fans of the American artist. With her sister, the Montrealer traveled to Newark, New Jersey, to celebrate her 21e birthday, May 26. An experience that was worth it “times 1000”, she tells us, enthusiastic.
“Ever since I was little, I always dreamed of going to see Taylor Swift in show, but I never had enough money, she says. Of course, going to see her in Canada would have been better, but in the United States, it was really a dream trip, and I will remember it all my life. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY AUDREY BEAUREGARD
For her birthday, Audrey Beauregard went to meet her favorite singer, Taylor Swift, in Newark.
Audrey considers herself lucky, since she managed to get her tickets on Ticketmaster, and not on resale. She paid C$365 for the pair. Her big expenses, however, came on her trip itself: the two sisters paid over $3,000 for airfare, hotel and related expenses. According to her, going to see Taylor Swift in Montreal, or even in Toronto, would have been less expensive.
“When the dates were announced, I expected at least to see two or three shows, like Toronto or Vancouver, so I really found it flat that she wasn’t there. I really hope that she will add dates in Canada later in her tour, but I don’t have much hope. »
If she comes and I’m able to get tickets, I’ll definitely go back!
Audrey Beauregard, Taylor Swift fan
Jessie Thivierge is also a big fan of Taylor Swift. Alma resident says she fell in love with the album Folklorereleased in 2020. Since then, she has made it her mission to see her favorite artist perform.
“I made the road to Foxborough [en banlieue de Boston] with two of my friends,” says Jessie, who says she was very impressed by the concert. “Just seeing a show in another country is an experience. It was the best experience of my life. I found it spectacular, it’s like going to see a play. It’s really unbelievable. »
PHOTO JESSIE THIVIERGE, FACEBOOK
Jessie Thivierge left Alma to see her idol in the United States.
In all, the trip cost them $1300 each, including CAN$600 for the show. “But I could have spent $1,000 a ticket, and I would have gotten what I paid for,” Jessie says.
In defense of Taylor
Jessie comes to the defense of Taylor Swift about her choice not to stop in Canada. According to her, it’s a matter of time before the popular singer adds dates on Canadian soil to her tour. Karel Painchaud, originally from Maniwaki, in the Outaouais, is of the same opinion. The 34-year-old left with her husband to also go to Foxborough to see the singer. She remains sure that Canadian dates will be added later in her tour.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KAREL PAINCHAUD
Karel Painchaud enjoyed every moment of his trip to Foxborough to see Taylor Swift.
“I think it’s more a question of logistics or a combination of circumstances that makes her not come, or that she will announce it later, advance Karel. I don’t think she will intentionally shun the Canadian public, she would have no reason to. »
In addition to a Conservative MP who came to the defense of the “Swifties” by filing an “official complaint” in the House of Commons a few weeks ago, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went there with a tweet , encouraging the international star to spoil Canadian women across the country.
SCREEN CAPTURE
Justin Trudeau’s request, on Twitter
Elisabeth, 36, would certainly benefit from the presence of the artist in Quebec. The Lévis resident traveled to Chicago in June to see her favorite artist.
“It’s a big disappointment, because with the difficulty of getting tickets in Canada, we have to buy them on resale sites, which is more expensive,” she says. It was originally worth CAN$200, and I paid $900 for it. Plus, I had obstructed vision. In all, the trip and the ticket cost me almost $2500. »
“It would be really important for me to see her in Canada, to experience an event like this [avec d’autres Canadiens] says Elizabeth.
For her part, Jeanne, 26, also went to Massachusetts with two of her friends. She has already seen Taylor Swift at the Bell Center in 2011, and admits to having fallen under the spell of “Hello, Montreal! that the star launched, entering the scene at the time. “Taylor is an inspiration to me. eras is a throwback to his entire career, so I couldn’t miss this opportunity! she exclaims.
It surprises me that she’s not coming here this time because we never had a clear reason why she didn’t come. But if she announces dates in Montreal, I’ll definitely go!
Joan, 26 years old
Marianne Blouin left Quebec for Foxborough with five of her friends. For her, going to see Taylor Swift once in her life was a must. The six young women paid C$230 for the tickets, which they purchased on Ticketmaster. “I really grew up with Taylor,” says Marianne, 24. I can’t imagine my life without listening to him. As soon as I heard that she was announcing a tour, I jumped on the tickets, and I was lucky, because I got them the first day! »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARIANNE BLOUIN
Marianne Blouin at the Taylor Swift concert in Foxborough
Taylor Swift started the tour eras in Glendale, Arizona, on March 17, and will conclude it on August 17, 2024 in London, after visiting Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Australia and Singapore, among others. For now, a break is scheduled from November 26, 2023 to February 7, 2024 for the singer; its fans across Canada can always stay on the lookout for new dates, either this fall or next year. For the moment, they are taking their troubles patiently, and are still taking advantage of the artist’s albums to accompany them.