By: Isabel Petrou
The big question lately has been, who’s more globally famous Taylor Swift or the President? The truth is there’s a pretty good argument that Taylor Swift is more known globally. I mean she is selling out shows all over the world! Almost every girl grew up with her, but now more than ever, she is shaping girlhood into what it is today.
Taylor Swift is a wonderful role model to girls all around the world. She teaches them to stand up for themselves, be unapologetically who they are, and not fear vulnerability. She empowers women to be confident and express themselves in whichever way they want.
We have gone through so many different eras with Swift. From being a small-town country singer to entering the pop world by storm to magically gracing every genre in existence, Taylor has done it all and her “Swifties” have never left her side even through tough times.
Swift’s tours have always been a sanctuary for comfort. The Eras Tour truly represents pure and genuine girlhood at its core like no other tour. From trading friendship bracelets with strangers to elaborate costumes to dancing and singing for three hours straight, The Eras Tour captured it all. Stepping into that stadium feels like coming home. You’re surrounded by people just like you, all here for the same reason.
What I’m about to describe is girlhood. It’s feeling like you belong as a woman and having people around you who understand your deepest darkest feelings in an unexplainable way. In a world full of fear, you feel safe here.
Let’s set the scene.
The Eras Tour begins with the most iconic openers which include Gracie Abrams, Phoebe Bridgers, Haim, Paramore, Sabrina Carpenter, and many more. It’s very likely that if you’re a Swiftie, you’re also a huge fan of these other artists. This already builds a high energy throughout the entire stadium and everyone is on their feet. If you went to a Gracie show, the first chant of the night begins with “SORRY!” during “I Miss you, I’m Sorry” which got louder with each night.
The openers finish their sets and before you know it “Applause” by Lady Gaga is playing and Taylor is coming out in “secret” riding inside of a janitor’s cart. All of a sudden “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore ends and the countdown begins. You can spiritually feel the entire statement’s excitement in your bones and in your soul.
The show begins with the most monumental Taylor Swift tour intro in history. She serenades us in a recording singing “It’s been a long time coming” as she mentions each era in an extremely catchy tune. Then it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for: Taylor comes up from under the stage in the most gorgeous bejeweled Versace Lover album-themed bodysuit. Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince is the first song of the first era and it’s everything and more. Next thing you know, the “Cruel Summer” bridge begins and boy does everyone scream it. I don’t think I’ve seen this many smiles in one room than at the show. It’s so positive and uplifting. You forget the rest of the world and you truly feel proud to be a fangirl, which is often looked down upon by many people in our society.
The next era is the Fearless album and the nostalgia is radiating. The heart hands and the guitar spins make you feel like a little girl again. Everyone is transported into their childlike selves and everything is simple. Where else can you feel this way?
We transition into the autumn woods as the Evermore album set begins. Everyone’s flashlights go on during “Marjorie,” a beautiful tribute to Swift’s late grandmother. At this moment, everyone feels the most connected. I remember looking around the stadium and feeling pure love and support. It made many emotional either due to their own grieving or just that feeling of community. It’s beautiful and it’s genuine. After, “Champagne Problems” Swifties begins the competition of having the longest-standing ovation than the previous show. Despite the competitiveness, it’s honestly just a way to thank Taylor for her impact and applaud her for her accomplishments. You get chills from how loud it is (you may also retain permanent hearing loss but that’s a worry for another time).
After singing your heart out to the most heart wrenching song, “Tolerate It,” the Reputation album set begins with a rattling snake and sharp footsteps. Are you ready for it? No. No, you’re not. The reputation era is that girl. The next chant is up during “Delicate.” “1..2..3 let’s go bitch!” echoes through the stadium. We then get taken to Swiftie church with the Don’t Blame Me/Look What You Made Me Do mashup. You ascend and you feel the girl power within yourself. It feels unreal.
The Speak Now album era is a shorter set, but that doesn’t stop Swifties from screaming their hearts out to “Enchanted,” an ode to love and lust that many people can relate to. Some lucky ones even got to hear “Long Live” which is a love song from Taylor to her fans. The feels are felt during this one.
The Red album era is full of hits and it’s time to sing the most vulnerable heartwrenching song on the set. This is none of the than the one and only “All Too Well (10 minutes version).” It’s acoustic, it’s raw and man, is the crowd singing. The passion of every single fan is heard and felt. It’s a true testament to the Swifties’ love for Taylor- who else knows every single lyric to a ten-minute song?
Folklore is a fan favorite for a reason. Its storytelling and lyrics are unlike any other album Swift has written. If you didn’t go through an emotional roller coaster during “Illicit Affairs” and “My Tears Ricochet” then you must be stable because I know it had me in shock. Many girls label themselves as a “Betty” or an “August” in reference to the female characters in a love triangle who Swift sings about throughout the album.
Her name is Taylor and she was born in 1989! Swift introduces one of her most iconic albums by introducing herself: “My name is Taylor and I was born in 1989!” The 1989 album broke records and it changed lives. The set is pop perfection. The chant of “You forgive, you forget, but you never let it go!” during “Bad Blood” is sung loudly as fire comes out from the stage.
Then it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for the entire show: Surprise O’Clock. Taylor sings two surprise songs on the guitar and the piano. The suspense before she begins is out of this world and once she sings that first verse, the crowd goes wild. It’s always someone’s favorite and they feel like Taylor sang it for them specifically which makes their entire day. The magic of guessing is the Swifties’ favorite pastime.
We end the night with the Midnights album and the set decorations are magical. I still can’t believe I saw “Vigilante Shit” live. Taylor shines a bright light on femininity and confidence during this performance. The show ends with “Karma” in all its confetti and dancing glory.
You leave The Eras Tour on a permanent high. It’s likely that you won’t stop thinking about it for days and the PCD (post-concert depression) is very real.
Taylor Swift will forever be remembered as the girl who showcased girlhood in the most positive light and inspired people all around the world to take pride in what they love. So, whenever you see a friendship bracelet, I bet you think about Taylor Swift and the Eras Tour.