A fresh billboard in Pasadena, California, is urging singer Chappell Roan to fulfill her viral promise of moving to Saskatchewan. Skyscanner, a travel company, initiated a billboard campaign before Roan’s two packed concerts in Pasadena, encouraging her to perform in the Prairie province. The billboard boldly states, “If you’re serious, Chappell — flights to Saskatchewan are $189 on Skyscanner.” In addition to the billboards, mobile trucks will be circling the concert venues as part of the “Saskatchewan DeTour” by the company.
This campaign marks another interesting point in Saskatchewan’s unexpected rise in pop culture after Roan mentioned the province in her song “The Subway.” Roan’s mention of Saskatchewan ignited a wave of excitement among fans. Toronto-based writer Abby Zinman expressed her excitement, stating that such shoutouts in mainstream American music are rare and leave a lasting impact.
For Saskatchewan’s 2SLGBTQ+ community, Roan’s lyrics felt like a heartfelt message to queer fans in the Prairies. Kris Bynes, also known as Little Twink on the Prairies, emphasized that Roan’s acknowledgment validates the presence and importance of the community in Saskatchewan.
Even politicians joined in on the excitement, with Saskatoon MLA Nathaniel Teed reaching out to Roan’s management team, highlighting the joy and connection sparked by her song. Despite Roan acknowledging her debt to her fans in Saskatchewan, her current tour, Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things, does not include a stop in the province.
The buzz around Roan’s reference to Saskatchewan has generated widespread interest and support, showcasing the impact of music and pop culture in connecting communities across borders.