Rogers Centre — Attraction in Toronto

I saw the cultural phenomenon that is the Taylor Swift Eras Tour here at the Rogers Centre. For context, I'm a 28 year old straight male who is really not a Swifty. My mom just asked if I wanted to come as she had an extra ticket and I needed to see what the hype was all about.

Right off the bat, my mind was blown when we walked into the Rogers Centre. She was set to go on at 8, and there was not an open seat at 7:30. 40,000 seats, at capacity, for her SIXTH show in Toronto. SIXTH!?! In one city!?!

Swift came out from under the big rainbow leaf thingies at 7:59pm to one of the loudest pops you've ever heard in your life. I look over at my Brother covering his ears looking at me like "wtf..." while my mom and sister in law are smiling from ear to ear screaming along to a song I didn't know.

The collective energy in here was tangible. I stood there surrounded by sequin dresses, knee high sparkle boots, and homemade friendship bracelets as I took in the surroundings: Girls of every age between 6 and 70 belting the lyrics and crying to certain tracks, chatter of what the "surprise songs" will be, and a handful of supportive boyfriends clearly dragged along.

I really wasn't a part of the collective energy until she ran off the craziest 4 track run: You Belong with Me, Love Story, 22, and We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. I was deadass a Swifty for those 4 tracks. I was screaming "SHE WEARS HIGH HEELS, I WEAR SNEAKERS, SHE'S CHEER CAPTAIN AND I'M ON THE BLEACHERS!" Such a bar damn. Although she was saying this while in Louboutin Red Bottom high heels lmao.

She performed until 11:27 pm, leaving the stage for no more than a minute for one of her 16 outfit changes. That is 3 hours and 28 minutes of putting her heart and soul into this performance. She is gangster for that. Highkey an ATHLETE. Some Kobe level work ethic. Even her biggest fans sat down for certain portions, as there's no shot they're used to being on their feet for that long.

However, much to my immortal chagrin, she performed for that long and didn't sing Back to December. Pain, pain everywhere.

This has got to be the best set production I've seen, dare I say, since Kanye's Yeezus Tour. The LED stage and wall is synced up with every one of Swift's movements, fire cannons and indoor fireworks come out of nowhere, the outfit changes for each individual era, and the attention to detail of Swift knowing exactly when the camera is close up on her face is beyond impressive. I felt like I was watching a feature film, and she was acting her ass off.

I left the Rogers Centre thinking, "Wow, she must have the craziest god complex." 150+ sold out stadium shows of people there to just see 1 person. It's not a team or anything, they are literally just there to see her. There is no way that can't mess with your head. How could you not have at least a little bit of a god complex?

The word cult sounds aggressive, but if we are going off the definition of "a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object," then this is definitely a cult.

This thought path led me down a rabbit hole. In doing my research for this review, I realized we don't know anything more about Taylor Swift than she wants us to know. I'm sure if you're a Swifty you'll tear me apart for that statement, but I'mma stand on that. Every interview she does, she and her team have final cut. You'll probably say oh she gives us everything in the music, but it can't get more curated than that.

I left craving to see Taylor Swift on the Joe Rogan Podcast, or any long form interview that she doesn’t have final cut on. That would be SO lit. Imagine the numbers that would do...

I understand that this would never happen as she doesn't need it AT ALL, but how funny would it be to see her reaction when Joe asks her what she thinks of the tic tac UFO Navy Commander David Fravor saw back in 2004.

I left impressed and inspired, but so curious as to what she is like behind the curtain of this hyper-curated image she has created.

IG @jnov_ Tiktok...

I had read reviews about the horrible logistics of getting to and from the stadium so went in with very low expectations for the commute. because my expectations were so low I found that leaving the stadium to catch ttc northbound went smoother than expected but still not a great experience. the experience of getting into the venue and once in the venue were awful and at times felt unsafe. environment canada had issues a special weather statement for high winds for a while and I kept checking rogers stadium social media for days for an update of the show. an update didn't come until less than 2hrs before doors opened telling costumers that doors would open an hour later and opening acts would now be playing Sirius stage. there were no water bottle filling stations until you entered the venue but water bottles had to be empty to bring into the venue so delayed entrance time definitely left me feeling dehydrated. delayed entrance time also allowed next to no time to get water food merchandise etc before first band started at 530. having opening bands move to Sirius stage which was general admission only, very little seating around the fan zone for almost 60k people was agonizing for those who have mobility issues and can't stand for hours at a time. wasn't allowed to go to my seat until almost 730. 3.5hrs of having to stand when i specifically purchased a ticket for a seat because I knew I couldn't stand around for hours was awful. the signage for seating was terrible as well. sign pointing up for rows 11+ but the stairs on left side only had access to row 14 so had to walk back down and go up the right hand side then once seated watch hundreds of people do the same thing. the headliners were an hours behind schedule. the metal bleacher type stands felt very rickety with people jumping around. the metal stairs with no side walls felt very shaky when leaving. It felt like they had no contingency plan in the event of extreme weather and stadium felt quickly put together. This experience has put me off every returning to this venue

• bands were...

My experience at Rogers Centre during a Blue Jays game was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I entered the stadium, I was captivated by the sheer grandeur of the venue. The iconic CN Tower loomed overhead, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening of baseball.

One of the standout features of Rogers Centre is its remarkable retractable roof. No matter the weather outside, I was comfortably shielded from rain or intense sunlight. This ensured that the game could go on uninterrupted, and fans like me could focus entirely on the action on the field.

Speaking of the field, my seat had a fantastic view of it. I was able to witness every pitch, catch, and home run with pristine clarity. The stadium's seating arrangement provides an intimate experience, making you feel like you're right in the heart of the game.

The staff at Rogers Centre deserves special commendation. They were not only friendly but also incredibly efficient. Whether I had a question about seating or needed assistance finding a concession stand, they were always ready to help, ensuring that my visit was as smooth as possible.

Now, let's talk about the food. The variety of options available was impressive. While attending the game, I couldn't resist indulging in some classic ballpark fare. The hot dogs were perfectly grilled, and the popcorn was the ideal snack to munch on while cheering for the Blue Jays. The dining experience was as much a part of the event as the game itself.

And what a game it was! The Blue Jays' performance was outstanding, and the crowd's energy was infectious. The stadium came alive with cheers and applause as we supported our team. It was evident that Rogers Centre is a place where lifelong memories are made.

In conclusion, a visit to Rogers Centre for a Blue Jays game is an absolute must for any baseball enthusiast. It offers an incredible blend of world-class facilities, excellent staff, delectable food, and an electric atmosphere. I can't wait to return to this iconic venue for another...