Taylor Swift has kicked off her European tour. After Paris, Switzerland and Portugal this weekend, the American singer is set to take to the stage at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon in early June. Two dates are sold out. Mari, a Lotoise fan, is attending the first night and doesn't hide her excitement.
Out of sight but close to heart, many Lotoise residents live their passion for Taylor Swift, the talented American singer, from a distance. These Swifties (the nickname given to fans of the musician) eagerly await her concerts in Lyon, or elsewhere in Europe, to declare their love for the artist. The Eras Tour has already rocked Paris with four sold-out dates at La Défense Arena. In less than ten days, the superstar will take to the stage at the Groupama stadium to win the hearts of his French fans.
Marie, 32, from Brissac, is one of them. Her encounter with Taylor Swift dates back to 2008. “I was a huge fan of the Jonas Brothers. On a forum dedicated to them, I discovered the world of Taylor Swift. At that time, I listened to her music on YouTube. Then the album Speak Now came out and I had the opportunity to see her in concert in Paris in 2011. I was not even 19. That was the right time to go see Taylor,” the young woman recalls. What she likes: the country side of the singer’s beginnings, something that was somewhat unique in France about ten years ago.
“We are united by his music.”
Since then, Taylor Swift has not left Mary's playlist. “Little by little, her lyrics began to speak to me. They tell her whole life, all her stories… And at a certain moment, we can connect with her songs. For everyone, there is necessarily, at least, a song “by Taylor that can talk to her”, assures the fan from the beginning. Recently, the American star released his 11th album “The Tortured Poets' Section”, which was met with universal acclaim. “On the day of the release, around 8 in the morning, I received a notification from Taylor and I saw that she had released a double album!” smiles Mary, for whom the album was an immediate success.
The albums that speak to him the most? Obviously “Speak Now”, but also “Reputation”. The album according to which she chose to dress during the concert in Lyon on June 2 (during the Eras tour, where Taylor Swift traces her entire career, fans love to dress according to their favorite “era”): a black slit skirt and a black sequin top – an outfit that Lotoise spent time choosing online. Without forgetting the snake accessories. La Lotoise pays the details to the tips of her nails: a manicure was scheduled inspired by her favorite album.
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Swifties also like to exchange friendship bracelets (friendship bracelets with song names or references to the star) during the concert. This tradition comes from Taylor Swift's song “You're On Your Own Kid” where the artist sings:So, make friendship bracelets, seize the moment and savor it.“I haven’t started making anything yet, but I still have a week to go. I love the idea of it. It shows that we are a community that supports each other. Taylor shows that: we are all different but we all love each other, and we are all united by his music,” Mary describes.
“It will move quickly.”
Lotoise fans are counting down the days before going on the Eras Tour. “It's really different. There, I go with friends who like Taylor. While on the Speak Now tour, I didn't know anyone. And on the Reputation Stadium tour in London, I was a babysitter and took the little girl I was looking after. In Lyon, it's going to be a different exchange, we've been waiting a year and now it's going to be fast!”, laughs Marie, who listens to the Eras Tour playlist frequently (3:30 concerts, over forty songs).
The young woman already knows that she will have an unforgettable time. So much so that she is looking for tickets for other dates in Europe. “Everything is sold out, but I am sure I would like to see this concert again!”, assures the band Lotoise. Until then, all she has to do is pack her bag, review the lyrics and, above all, enjoy Taylor Swift. “It's not only the third time I've seen her, and it won't be the last!” concludes Marie.
