Since the release of her self-titled debut album in 2006, Taylor Swift has evolved from a popular country artist to a pop culture phenomenon. If that is in doubt, take a look at her current record-setting Eras Tour. According to Billboard, the US tour is expected to generate $591 million from ticket sales alone, making her "the highest-grossing female touring artist of all time" (Madonna currently holds that title with her 2008-2009 Sticky and Sweet Tour grossing $407 million). The drama surrounding ticket sales led to a US Senate hearing to investigate the Ticketmaster chaos in which pre-registered fans were unable to secure tickets due to the site being flooded with bots and fans who didn't have codes when tickets went on sale, causing the site to crash repeatedly. After waiting in an online queue for over 4 hours, I was one of the lucky ones who snapped up tickets for the East Rutherford leg of the tour.
Taylor performs an impressive 44 songs (including two surprise acoustic songs which differ each night) spanning her entire discography and separated into 10 separate eras, within a breathtaking visual extravaganza. Indeed, Consequence of Sound describes the show was one that aims "to engage all human senses, offering an extraordinary 4-D cognitive experience through its innovative stage design, cutting-edge visual mapping, and top-of-the-line production values that far surpassed most of today’s touring show standards".
There are so many words to describe the experience: electrifying, magical, jaw-dropping, emotional but most importantly, fun. It was clear that Taylor was having a blast on stage and every audience member was having the time of their lives (even the non-Swifties who'd been dragged there by their partners or children). I agree with Rolling Stone's Waiss David Aramesh's conclusion that "The Eras Tour is a feat...it's live music at its highest spectacle and greatest excess" as well as a testimony to Taylor's talent and star power.
Some of my personal highlights were:
The Swifties' creative costumes and looks. There was even someone in a full cat suit, a nod to her role in the Cats movie.
Getting a copy of the limited Midnights (The Late Night Edition) CD, only available at the East Rutherford Shows - this after standing in the merch line for 2 hours!
The synchronized LED wristbands which lit up at different times throughout the show. The most amazing part was the LED "snakes" that moved through the audience during Look What You Made Me Do.
The rainbow extravaganza for You Need To Calm Down.
The witchy forest scenery for the evermore era.
The five minute screaming ovation with chants of "Taylor! Taylor!" during the evermore set that left Taylor speechless and emotional.
The entire Reputation era set.
The treehouse in the woods for the folklore era.
Taylor "diving" under the stage with graphics on the stage showing her swimming under water, culminating with a massive wave crashing on a shore.
The entire 1989 era set (my favorite Taylor album).
And of course, the final era, Midnights, where I got to experience the incredible Anti-Hero with a stadium of roughly 74K people.
The complete setlist was as follows:
Lover Era
Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince
Cruel Summer
The Man
You Need to Calm Down
Lover
The Archer
Fearless Era
Fearless
You Belong With Me
Love Story
'Tis the Damn Season
evermore Era
willow
marjorie
champagne problems
tolerate it
Reputation Era
Ready For It?
Delicate
Don't Blame Me
Look What You Made Me Do
Speak Now Era
Enchanted
Red Era
22
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
I Knew You Were Trouble
All Too Well (10-Minute Version)
folklore Era
the 1
betty
the last great american dynasty
august
illicit affairs
my tears ricochet
cardigan
1989 Era
Style
Blank Space
Shake it Off
Wildest Dreams
Bad Blood
Surprise Acoustic Songs
- Holy Ground (from Red)
- False God (from Lover)
Midnights Era
Lavender Haze
Anti-Hero
Midnight Rain
Vigilante S---
Bejeweled
Mastermind
Karma
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