After 149 shows, an estimated US$2 billion in revenue and countless outfit changes, Taylor Swift takes to the stage tonight in Vancouver for the final show of her record-smashing Eras Tour.
It鈥檚 the superstar鈥檚 third sold-out night at BC Place, where she has received a delirious welcome from Swifties both local and international.
Swift has reciprocated the feeling, telling the audience on Friday night that she chose Canada and Vancouver to close out the tour because the fans not only know the lyrics, they 鈥渟cream them.鈥
Swifties have been planning something special to end the tour, with Swift forums abuzz with suggestions to surprise her by singing 鈥淗appy Birthday鈥 at tonight鈥檚 show, ahead of Swift鈥檚 35th birthday on Dec. 13.
Fan projects like this have been a big part of the Eras Tour, with chants and patterned clapping breaking out during various songs.
University of Kansas sociology professor and 鈥淪wiftologist鈥 Brian Donovan says such moments of joyous social solidarity are known as 鈥渃ollective effervescence.鈥
鈥淲hat is interesting about the Eras Tour is that it also brought about unique cultural things like the trading of friendship bracelets,鈥 he said, noting such practices were fan-driven and were not organized by Swift or her team.
Swiftie Jenny Fox got tickets to Saturday鈥檚 show after seeing daughter Avery鈥檚 reaction to the Eras Tour movie.
鈥淚 texted my husband in the theatre and said that if this is how it is in a movie theatre, I can鈥檛 even imagine what it would be like to see and experience this in real life in a massive stadium and to see the joy on Avery鈥檚 face,鈥 she said.
University of British Columbia philosophy professor Kimberley Brownlee said Swift鈥檚 concerts and the fans鈥 involvement have provided something 鈥済lorious,鈥 and a 鈥渏oy we get to share in collectively.鈥
Before Swift鈥檚 Vancouver dates, she performed six shows in Toronto last month.
Canada was announced as a late addition to the tour last year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously pleaded with the star on social media to visit Canada, telling her 鈥渄on鈥檛 make it another cruel summer.鈥
Trudeau and family members were among Swifties at the Toronto shows, as were former U.S. president Bill Clinton and wife Hillary.
For Fox, attending the tour in Vancouver with her daughter has special meaning.
Fox is the primary caretaker for her own mother, who has late-stage Alzheimer鈥檚. Music, she said, has become the last connection to the person her mom once was.
鈥淎s soon as we put certain music on, mom comes back,鈥 she said.
鈥淪o music is very near and dear to us. We play a lot of music, and a lot of Taylor Swift with her, so there is that love and memory and special tie to it.鈥
She says music endures, and attending The Eras Tour together will be something she and Avery can hold on to.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something that we will forever remember,鈥 she said.