TAYLOR Swift’s Eras Tour comes to Vancouver for three shows at BC Place from December 6-8.

They are the final shows of the two-year, 149-performance tour that touched down on five continents. It is the highest-grossing music tour of all time and is expected to surpass $2 billion in revenue by the end of this year.

We spoke with UBC experts in several fields about Swift and her impact.

How do fandom rituals, like ‘friendship bracelets’ at Taylor Swift’s concerts, contribute to feelings of belonging and help combat loneliness?

Dr. Kimberley Brownlee, Professor of Philosophy, Department of Philosophy:

Friendship bracelets, like MAGA hats, team shirts, and even our accent, can offer us a quick way to identify someone as ‘one of us’. We are highly attuned to these signals of common identity because we are deeply social creatures.

Our species has evolved in such a way that our wellbeing is inextricably intertwined with our sociality. We thirst for connection. Social connection is a key predictor of longevity and physical and mental health; and the benefits of good connection extend beyond health to affect our educational attainment, workplace satisfaction, economic prospects, and overall wellbeing.

Conversely, weak social connections, isolation, ostracism, and loneliness are deeply debilitating experiences that are worse for our health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

My work draws on this empirical foundation to identify the kinds of social human rights we must have as the fundamentally social beings we are.

What is the appeal of Taylor Swift’s music?

Dr. David Metzer, PhD, Professor, School of Music:

As a historian of popular music, I see many reasons why we have been listening to Taylor Swift for almost 20 years. First, she pulls off that rare feat of great songwriting in which catchy melodies, vivacious grooves, and witty lyrics converge to create captivating moments. One of my favourite moments is how a heavy synth bass line plunges through “pain” and “insane” to get at the “blank space” to be filled with another guy’s name.

Taylor’s wink-wink at the media depiction of her as a “nasty” lover in “Blank Space” is part of the emotional confidence that she has formed with fans. Treasuring that intimacy, we have listened to album after album to learn more about her romances, losses, joys and triumphs. The albums also give us new sounds as Taylor changes the genre hues with each one. The changing sound worlds of the albums keeps us listening as we hear that great songwriting realized in new ways.

What impact will these concerts have on the local tourism and hospitality industry?

Jarrett Vaughan, Adjunct Professor, UBC Sauder School of Business:

Taylor Swift’s visit will create a temporary tourism boom in Vancouver, attracting thousands of fans from across Canada and beyond. Hotels will enjoy high occupancy rates, often at premium prices, while restaurants and entertainment venues will see an influx of customers. Local businesses near the concert venue, such as cafes and shops, can expect increased foot traffic. Ride-share services and public transportation may also experience a surge in demand.

The concerts will spotlight Vancouver as a destination, potentially encouraging return visits.

There is also an interesting story behind hotels hosting Taylor Swift focussed promotions in their hotel lobbies such as bracelet-making stations.