Why Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour hits different on the big screen

14:13Does Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour hit different on the big screen?

We're in the aisles of a crowded  movie theatre on a Saturday night, exchanging friendship bracelets with three pre-teen girls sitting behind us.

I don't realize I'm holding my breath until one of them says, "I'll trade you this one that says '1989' for the one of yours that says 'Blank Space'?"

"It's a no-brainer," I squeal as I accept the deal. The young girl removes one of her bracelets from her own forearm-length stockpile and I follow suit. We're both so giddy, I hardly notice how tight her tween-sized bracelet feels on my 20-something wrist.

And just like that, I've made my first trade at The Eras Tour — or, as close as I can get to the tour for now.

Non-Taylor Swift fans probably won't understand the scene. If you were at an Eras Tour concert film screening on opening weekend, however, then you'll know that moments like this are what being a fan of Taylor Swift is all about — camaraderie, creativity and community.

I'm one of the lucky few who was able to snag a ticket to see Taylor at her Toronto tour stop next November. Even with that ticket burning a hole in my Ticketmaster app (and my wallet), I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see The Eras Tour concert film this fall, because it meant being able to share a quintessential fan experience with more of my friends. As I told Commotion guest host Amil Niazi on the show Monday, "listening to Taylor Swift alone is great, but listening to Taylor Swift with your friends is everything."

Dressed in outfits ranging from official merch to full-on Swift cosplay, my friends and I stick out in the crowd of regular subway riders on our way to the movie theatre. To our delight, a passerby recognizes my friend's red dress, camel trench coat and velvet fisherman's hat for the homage to the Red (Taylor's Version) album cover shoot that it is.

For a moment, I worry movie-goers might not rise to the occasion in the same way we had, but those fears vanish on arrival. In line for a drink, I spy young fans begging their adults for the now-viral commemorative popcorn bucket and cup. Groups of friends strike poses in front of the cardboard movie poster display. People are dressed in everything from Eras Tour tees to sparkly outfits befitting the Eras stage, to costumes plucked right out of the Swift Cinematic Universe.

Inside the theatre (lucky seat number 13!) I scan the crowd, trying to suss out what kind of screening this will be. Admittedly, I'm a bit nervous that things will get out of hand.

This isn't my first concert movie; I saw Justin Bieber belt out the soundtrack of my middle school years during his Never Say Never concert film, and Katy Perry's larger-than-life stage visuals up close and personal during Part of Me. It was overwhelming, and exhilarating — and I resented those pesky social conventions that stopped me from jumping out of my seat and singing along.

WATCH | Official trailer for The Eras Tour Concert Film:

In my mind's eye, I expect some singing along, clapping and a little seat dancing,but I also know that Swifties have always been on another level. As the title card and the big Cruel Summer opening number pass without incident, I believe my screening will be tame. Then, the opening guitar strums to You Belong With Me begin and the audience erupts.

Yet, I can't blame my fellow Swifties for abandoning all movie etiquette. I surprise myself with how often I'm applauding a performer who isn't in the room; I'm completely in awe of the spectacle Swift has put together. If this screening is as close as some people will get, I want them to feel as part of this formidable moment in Swift's career as anyone who attends the live show.

From the Fearless set onward, the screening feels like a real concert: the people sitting in front of me are often on their feet, dancing and screaming along to the lyrics, making it sometimes difficult to see or hear Swift even with an IMAX screen and surround sound. Fans shout original chants like they're at a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. When Swift gestures for the crowd to wave their arms in the air, people in my theatre follow suit. During slower songs, the people sitting behind me dutifully raise their phone lights (except unlike at a real concert, this only makes it harder to see the projection onscreen).

But there is a real sense of camaraderie, too. At one point during We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, I sneak away to the washroom (a cardinal sin, I know). On my sprint back to the theatre, I pass a pair of girls running to the washroom. Without hesitation, as our paths cross for a split-second, they whisper-scream that we're still on the Red set and I assure them that they can make it back in time for All Too Well. The Eras Tour is a marathon, not a sprint, and it truly felt like we were all in this relay together.

I leave the theatre almost three hours later, hoarse and with an unmistakable post-concert high. So yeah, I guess you could say I've been to The Eras Tour. And I can't wait to go again.

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.