Sunday night, December 8th marked the conclusion of the nearly two-year international Eras Tour, spanning from March 2023 to December 2024. Swift finished her most acclaimed tour in Vancouver in an emotionally inducing performance. She remarks that the most rewarding takeaway of this once-in-a-lifetime experience was the traditions and passion that over 10 million attending fans instilled. Swift emphasizes that this is the lasting legacy of this tour. Namely, the exchange of friendship bracelets, stemming from Taylor Swift’s hit song on Midnights (2022), You’re On Your Own Kid, was a stark uniquity that culminated throughout this tour setting.
Throughout, her setlist contained 44 songs. The 3-hour performance served the purpose of traveling throughout the discourse of her musical career. To fans this was more than a simple concert; fans were able to reminisce on their own eras of life. The setlist traversed from her debut album, released in 2006, to her most recent release The Tortured Poet Department (April 2024).
Enhancing the magical nature of this tour, each show would receive two acoustic live songs: one featured on piano and one played instrumentally on the guitar. Each, is special to their specific city and night. Towards the end of Swift’s 2nd leg of the Eras tour, she began to mashup her “Surprise Songs,” fabricating an unparalleled experience for the fans.
Upon the duration of the Eras Tour, the renowned pop singer announced Speak Now Taylor’s version, as well as 1989 Taylor’s Version. The show also served as a ground for inviting longtime friends and special guests. A few keen examples were the appearances of Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Lautner, Jack Antonoff, Travis Kelce, Marcus Mumford, Ice Spice, Marren Morris, Aaron Dessner, and Hayley Williams.
I was fortunate enough to be a part of this unequivocal concert. I attended Atlanta, night 3, receiving surprise songs I Bet You Think About Me (Red TV) and How You Get The Girl (1989 TV). I attended the concert with my two sisters and mother. This experience was unmatched, with nothing else quite compared to such.
The gravest notion I was able to take from my time in Atlanta was the common feeling of absolute captivation as I watched my favorite artist play at a sold-out stadium. I saw myself as a young girl taking a road trip with my entire family while Taylor played in the background, a juvenile adolescent who was learning how to navigate a broken heart, and a teenage girl who wished time would stand still. My childhood fervor burned relentlessly as I stood in Mercedes Benz Stadium for the entire 3 hours, wishing I could stay in that moment forever.
Upon interviewing Junior, Kelly Harmon who attended the Tampa, Florida show on April 13th, 2023, she regards, “The most transformative part of this tour was just the environment. Traveling with my mom, sisters, and best friend was half the enjoyment. Getting ready in our different eras in the hotel, rushing to make the opening acts of the tour is a memory I’ll always hold onto. I got to be there with the people I love and I think that was my largest takeaway.” Harmon, who chose to dress as Swift’s Red Era, after being prompted at the conclusion of the tour, emphasizes, “I wish I could go back. Knowing it’s finally concluded is bittersweet, especially considered the fact that we won’t see her tour for a while. I really do miss it.”
This was a commonality between all attending fans. Even those who did not have the opportunity to watch a live show were adamant about joining TikTok livestreams in order to witness the wonders of the Eras Tour. The environment was excentric and unlike any of her other projects. This left fans with a feeling of longing, proceeding to the finale of her tour.
Senior, Lexi Arbon shared this experience with Harmon. She denotes feeling a sense of sadness due to the conclusion of such. Arbon states, “It was such a transformative experience because of how unique it was. No one has ever done what she has before.” After reflecting on this further she discerns, “I may never get the chance to see her again I just feel really fortunate to have had the opportunity. I am sad knowing I will never see all her albums at once though, ever again.” Swift hoisted the power to change the scope of live music. Her ability to fluidly transport fans through time, while covering her entire course of music was rare, influential, and the first of its nature.
In the wise words of Swift, it was the end of a decade, but the start of an age. The conclusion of this chapter for Taylor Swift and fans everywhere entails history being made. This tour was healing for the fans, the band, as well as Taylor Swift herself. Fans took this opportunity to connect with each other, escape their current reality, and gather under one common initiative: fufill their dreams of witnessing their favorite artist, all while being a part of something bigger than themselves. She utilized the power of music to heal and inspire. As the lights of the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver dimmed and the pop-sensation took her final bow, alongside her talented band members, the echoes of the tour will consistently resonate. This tour did not merely celebrate Swift’s all-too-successful past, rather it was the launchpad for what lies ahead.
