The Eras Tour: the Taylor Swift concert series that broke the internet, triggered seismic activity, and permanently altered many people’s lives.
This past summer, many Royals, including myself, had the chance to see the one and only Taylor Alison Swift. When you think of a concert, the first things that comes to mind are probably lights and live music; however, The Eras Tour concerts consisted of everything from acting and poetry to flames and choreographed dances.
A common outfit trend at The Eras Tour is dressing up in the theme of one of her 10 studio albums, also known as the album’s “era.” Many Royals who attended The Eras Tour followed this ongoing trend including myself (“Lover Era”) and Paige Sorensen ’24: “I dressed up in a purple dress as the ‘Speak Now’ album. This is definitely my favorite Taylor Swift album, and I couldn’t wait to wear it! My voice was shot by the end of the night from screaming so much.”
Similar to Paige, I couldn’t talk for at least 24 hours after leaving the concert. I think this was an issue for many of the concert attendees. I mean, how could you go to The Eras Tour and not sing (or scream) at ear drum bursting volumes? If you didn’t come home with permanent hearing and vocal chord damage, you didn’t do it right.
Another popular trend at The Eras Tour was making friendship bracelets and trading them with people you meet at the concert. This trend stems from a lyric on one of Taylor’s songs, “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” that says “so make the friendship bracelets.” I can say from personal experience that many hours full of literal blood, sweat, and tears went into handmaking these Taylor Swift themed friendship bracelets; however, it was so worth it to be able to meet so many cool people from all across the world who travelled just to see Taylor. I met someone who travelled all the way from Italy to LA because she wasn’t able to get tickets in Europe.
Siena Lopez ’24 has also experienced the pain that went into making hundreds of bracelets to trade: “I didn’t think making friendship bracelets would be so laborious and time consuming. It took me two days to make 40 bracelets with the help of my sister (who isn’t even a Swiftie). Overall, the blood, sweat, and tears I experienced while making these bracelets was so worth it. My favorite part of the whole bracelet ordeal was trading bracelets with younger fans.”
Leonor Ceballos ’24 got the opportunity to see Taylor Swift on her birthday: “I saw Taylor on my birthday, and I got to hug her mom! It was the best moment of my entire life. Definitely the best birthday gift ever.” Leonor had the honor of hugging the person who gave birth to Taylor Swift which means she basically hugged Taylor Swift. I think we’re all living vicariously through her.
Two Royals even travelled out of state to see Taylor. Paloma Borsari ’24 saw Taylor Swift in Las Vegas: “This was the best night of my life. My mom and I made a quick 24 hour trip to Vegas to see The Eras Tour with my family. I was sobbing uncontrollably throughout the concert, specifically when Taylor first appeared in the beginning of her show. My surprise songs were ‘Cowboy like me’ and ‘White horse’ and she even brought out Marcus Mumford to perform with her. This was a night I will never forget, and I am a changed woman because of it.”
Marci Rau ’24 travelled all the way to Tennessee: “My mom and I flew out to Nashville so we could see my favorite artist, Phoebe Bridgers, open for the amazing Taylor Swift, and spend the weekend in Music City. Unfortunately, a thunderstorm caused a multiple hour delay, so there weren’t any opening acts. I still got to see Phoebe preform “Nothing New” with Taylor, which was the highlight of my life. I even got to hear my favorite song, “Mine,” as a surprise song. Though Taylor and the audience were all drenched due to the storm, the whole concert was absolutely enchanting.”
Even some of Rosary’s teachers attended The Eras Tour. Ms. Barclay ’94 shared her experience seeing Taylor Swift: “I LOVED everything about the Taylor Swift concert although I do wish someone would have warned me about the friendship bracelet thing. My girl never got sweaty. I could have loved her for that alone, but it was everything together that made it so special: her outfit changes, her voice, her energy. She’s an angel and I’m now a SWIFTIE FOR LIFE!”
I think Ms. Barclay speaks for the strong majority of people who attended The Eras Tour when she says she’s a Swiftie for life. After experiencing one of Taylor’s extraordinary performances, there’s no way you could not love her.
Christina Vaughan • Sep 5, 2023 at 9:03 am
Great article Lianna!