US city changes name to ‘Swift City’ for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour launch
Glendale, a city located in LA County, California is changing its name to ‘Swift City’ for two days to commemorate the start of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers — who declared himself Mayor Swiftie — took to Twitter to announce the transition, decorating his official statement with loads of Swift’s songs as puns. “There is no need to calm down, we’re fearless and doing something highly unusual to celebrate the fact that Taylor’s concerts start right here!” he wrote. “We know all too well that she’s one of the most influential artists of her generation and we are writing our own love story for her and greeting every Swiftie in style!”
The Eras Tour will kick off in Glendale on March 17 at the State Farm Stadium with Gayle and Paramore as Swift’s openers, according to Rolling Stone. Weiers’ tweet included photos of him and other city officials, holding pastel-coloured t-shirts that read “Welcome to Swift City” at a press conference.
“Swifties are encouraged to share their smiles ‘that could light up this whole town’ on social media platforms because ‘the best people in life are free’,” read the official proclamation.
“Glendale is so ‘bejeweled’ for Taylor Swift’s #TSTheErasTour that we’re renaming the city in her honour,” the city tweeted Monday. Additionally, Swift broke records with her State Farm Stadium shows, becoming the first act in history to sell out two shows at the venue on a single tour.
The ‘Bad Blood’ singer’s tour will continue through August — she will be on the road making stops in cities like Houston, Nashville, Chicago and Los Angeles. Artists such as Muna, Gayle, Phoebe Bridgers, Haim and Gracie Abrams will be accompanying her to provide support on select dates.
