It’s been a long time coming for millions of Swifties around the world for the highly anticipated Eras tour. The tour spans 146 shows, with each show being 3 hours and 25 minutes long. Swift has produced ten albums, and three re-recorded albums with another re-record on the way. The Eras Tour is Taylor Swift’s first tour since her Reputation stadium tour in 2018, because Loverfest, her other tour, was sadly canceled on February 26th, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With 53 shows already out of the way, let’s recap this magical experience for many people globally.
Before the show, fans line up at the merch trucks located outside of the shows to trade bracelets with other fans, hang out, and make new friends. The merch truck lines are wildly popular, so some people get there hours before the show to secure the merch of their choice. There are also trucks the day before the shows for people who were not able to get tickets. Bracelet trading at the shows was inspired by her song “You’re On Your Own, Kid” on her new album Midnights in which it says “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it”. People make bracelets inspired off of songs, album titles, phrases, and many other Taylor Swift inspired ideas. Since Swift does not take the stage until 8pm, some people also arrive early to see the variety of 10 openers that are at the shows. These openers include Gracie Abrams, Phoebe Bridgers, Paramore, Haim, Girl in red, Beabadoobee, Muna, Owenn, Gayle, and Sabrina Carpenter. Sabrina Carpenter is yet to join the tour, but we are very excited for her arrival. These opening acts get fans anticipated for Swift’s arrival. The duration of the concert typically has 43 songs played during the show. Two extra songs are played after her 1989 portion of the show, called surprise songs. These songs are, which is a good surprise element for everybody there. Ayden Mcdonald, a sophomore, said this about the surprise songs: ”My surprise songs were” Your on Your Own Kid “and” The Great War.” I was really excited for the surprise songs going into the concert and they did not disappoint. Those are two of my all time favorite Taylor Swift songs.”
Thousands of fans around the world wait up at night and watch the surprise songs on social media, whether viewing through TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube. Other fans that did not get tickets also waited outside of the stadium to watch the show, and set up chairs and blankets to enjoy Swift’s performance in comfort.
Many students that attend Seminole High School got to experience the tour. One of those students is Hailey Ann Pierce, another sophomore, and a huge Taylor Swift fan. She had this to say about the Eras tour: “I’ve loved Taylor Swift ever since I was a little kid, and it was a dream come true to be able to see her in real life and be in her presence. She is such an amazing role model for so many people around the world and inspires me in so many ways. She also puts on an amazing performance at every show.’’ Students at SHS agree with Pierce in that Taylor Swift changed the lives of many.
The Eras tour has only been going on since March 17th, but it has already had such a global impact. So much of an impact that it is now the highest grossing tour of all time, putting it at about 2.2 billion dollars earned. Swift made a generous donation to all of her crew members and truck drivers that helped make the tour what it has become. There is still so much more to come for Swift, and we can’t wait to see what she does with her career next. Good luck to everybody trying to get Eras tickets!