Raymond J. de Souza: The secret to Swift and Springsteen's success

Sad songs say so much when sung by singers who are not sad. It is a rare gift. They both have it

Canada is hosting one of the greatest musical legends on the planet. And if that weren’t enough, Taylor Swift has six shows in Toronto.

Saturday night includes Bruce Springsteen at the Saddledome and Swift at the Skydome. The latter is more than a mere tour; it is a cultural moment of consumerist excess.

Swift’s concerts are sponsored by Rogers, which owns the Skydome and the Toronto Blue Jays. Cleverly, Rogers is selling season’s tickets to the Blue Jays which, if bought, entitle the purchaser to drop several grand on a luxury box for Swift. Given the dismal record of the Blue Jays this past season, she might be the team’s most valuable product.