Most events geared at Swifties not officially ‘Taylor’s Version’

Though it may seem like a sheen of Swift is coating the city of Toronto, only some of the hoopla can really be counted as 'Taylor's Version.'

When fans converge on a convention centre in downtown Toronto this week, they’ll be talking about Taylor Swift and listening to her music, but they won’t see her name or photo in any official capacity — instead, the event is both literally and figuratively adjacent to the pop star and her mega-popular Eras Tour.

Though it may seem like a sheen of Swift is coating the city of Toronto, only some of the hoopla can really be counted as “Taylor’s Version.”

“This is adjacent to the brand, but this is not about Taylor,” said Bram Goldstein, organizer of the unofficial Swiftie event “Toronto’s Version: Taylgate ’24.”

“This is about fans enjoying themselves at our bracelet exchange, at our glam beauty bar — that are not associated with anything to do with the Eras Tour.”

Indeed, the Taylgate website steers clear of mentioning the tour or the artist by name except in a legal disclaimer at the bottom of every page, which notes that the company has no affiliation with Swift or her businesses.

Instead, fans are encouraged to stop by before “the big show” and join a “TSwift Dance Party.”

They can participate in activities that have become associated with Swift’s fandom, including making friendship bracelets and singing along to her music.

Other event features are more tangential, such as a “best friends chapel” where besties can “renew their friendship vows.”