As a newer Swiftie and a broke college student, I did not get the chance to see the Eras Tour in person, which is a little bit sad, but as Taylor Swift does, she worked her magic, and I was able to watch the concert in theaters (which is a massive slay in my book). However, unlike me, my partner did have the wonderful, fantastic chance of being able to see the concert live (jealous).
There were clear differences that my partner pointed out between seeing the concert live versus in theaters. Now obviously there are distinct differences seeing it live vs. on a screen but the main difference was the energy surrounding it. We decided to give it the effort it deserved and dressed up for it as Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince, a reference to one of her songs. We did this thinking people would dress up as well, WRONG! Unlike the concert, which flaunted extravagant costumes, elaborate makeup, and all around see what era or song they were trying to embody, many of the moviegoers wore simple shirts and jeans. The energy was also completely different, no one was up singing or dancing, and at one point we even got shushed for singing. This was completely different from the concert, or any concert, where everyone was singing, dancing, and having an all-around good time. Even with the difference in experience and the vibe that the theater embodied. They mentioned that it was still worthwhile to see it in theaters and how everyone who is a Swiftie should try their best to go out and watch it because of all of the work that Taylor Swift put into it. My partner said that she made sure to follow the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes by avoiding using big Hollywood producers and making it herself with her team, providing showings directly to AMC Theaters.
For my first Taylor Swift tour experience, I was sad that the energy was not there because everyone was hyping up the movie. Taylor Swift usually loves her fans to bring energy to her events, so the lack of energy in theaters was disappointing, however, the movie concert itself was immaculate. Her voice sounded just like it does on her recorded albums, but there are specific instances where you can tell it is her live voice and not her lip singing. I have never had much experience with concerts of artists that I enjoy, so this was one of the best experiences for me, partially because it was Mother (Taylor Swift) and partially because it was an artist that I really like. If you were to ask my friends what kind of music I listen to, they would wholeheartedly without any hesitation say Taylor Swift and nothing else, which is not 100% a lie. Walking in, I did not really know what to expect watching the concert. Yes, I have seen clips of the concert through my social media feed, but I have not looked at the setlist or order of songs/albums. I am a Reputation girly through and through (I have a Reputation snake tattoo for proof), so I was most excited for that era, and Mother did not disappoint. The graphics that they used to create a snake going around the stage…chef’s kiss. It was so life-like and the details were amazing. Her outfit? Impeccable. I have seen so many analyses about it, and one that I have come up with is that she had two identities when she released the album which she also explores within the album itself; one being the reputation the world saw her as at the time and the Taylor she truly was. Her outfit embodied the duality she had because when you look at her from either side, it looks like two totally different outfits; one side being pants and long sleeves, the other being sleeveless and no pant leg. The vast difference in the outfit from each side demonstrates how depending on how people look at you, or what they can see shows them a different version of you.
All around I loved this experience. Do I wish there was a different energy in the theater? Absolutely. But I still had an amazing time and sang my heart out. I would with full certainty do this again if I am unable to go to one of her concerts in person or let myself relive the concert again in a theater if I am able to go.