Pop icon Taylor Swift finished her run of hometown Pennsylvania shows to a record breaking crowd in Pittsburgh Saturday, June 17. She also happened to be the first tour to play in the Acrisure Stadium twice. However, breaking records is nothing new for Taylor. She has been dominating the music charts for the past decade and somehow still continues to surpass her previous records.
A sunny day in Pittsburgh made it perfect for the first opener of the night OWENN to make his mark on The Eras Tour. This artist looks to mix bluesy rock with airy R&B. He exudes an enigmatic spirit that no doubt comes from his many years working as a backup dancer for Taylor and other renowned pop stars. Indie pop musician Girl in Red followed up the night with her intense guitar riffs and rockstar energy. She creates music in the lens of a gay woman who talks about love in the queer space. She performed popular hits “… i wanna be your girlfriend,” and “bad idea!”.
Settling into everyones seats before Taylor took the stage is an environment that can not be recreated anywhere else. Fans are decked out in memes, iconic Swift looks, handmade outfits, and even dressed as her pet cat. From young girls to dads, the crowd is full of an array of people. A lot of which carry around friendship bracelets that they trade with other fans. All inspired by the song “You’re On Your Own Kid.” The Eras Tour pushes connection and bonding between people who might not rather say a word to each other. How many concerts do you go to and not even talk to all the strangers standing around you for those few hours? The level that Taylor Swift is at undoubtedly prompts lack of intimacy that smaller shows get. Taylor recognizes this and uses tactics to create a loving space for her fans. Something that the artist is all too familiar with: seeing the status quo and going against it yet again.
No Bad Seats
The anticipation before Taylor took the stage was uncanny as fans ran to their seats. Chaos definitely ensued once the two-minute timer went on the big screen. Something about a Taylor Swift concert that stands true is that calling it a “concert” just doesn’t feel like a big enough word to encapsulate the broadway production happening on stage. The countless outfit changes, dance routines, fireworks, introspective visuals, pyro, and acting performances are nothing short of spectacular. There is no bad seats at this show. No matter if you’re in the nosebleeds or on the floor, this tour offers so much to their audience visually.
Immediately as Taylor was seen by the crowd everyone went insane. There were tears shed, people hugging, and just about everyone screaming. It’s been five years since she has toured so it was only fitting that she opened up the night with “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince,” with the line ‘it’s been a long time coming.’ As the night proceeded Taylor took us through the many eras she has had over the years beginning with the album Lover.
With a throwback to Fearless and traveling to the Folklore house this show was a journey for fans. Many of which have grown up with Taylor and could pin point moments in their life with song releases. As she has gone through these different eras so has her avid listeners. The artist pays homage to her lifelong fans by having an acoustic session each night to play two secret surprise songs. She first brought out special guest Aaron Dessner in honor of Father’s Day Weekend. The two performed “seven” which examines troubled relationships with fathers. Taylor called to celebrate her own Dad that day as well as any fathers or father figures for those in the crowd. The second surprise song wished to celebrate Taylor’s rerecording of Speak Now which releases on July 7. She played the song “The Story of Us” on that album which left fans excited.
The Eras Tour Leaving its Mark
The span of The Eras Tour goes through Taylor’s 10 studio albums beginning in 2006 with Debut. There’s something special about seeing a musical artist have an intense and overwhelming support over the many years. Each album has countless hits that has broken records. Her heart wrenching lyricism and catchy beats has only improved with each release. The fanbase has strengthened over the years and continues to takeover cities with each stop over the weekend. A craze that seems all too similar to Beatlemania. Swifties are dominating the concert space. They have supported her relreases of albums so she can own her own art and sold out this tour. Even fans who couldn’t score tickets have driven countless hours just to stand outside the stadium to hear her songs.
Whether you are a hardcore Taylor Swift fan or not, you can’t deny that she is the moment. She herself has defined this era in time, not only in the music space but in our culture. In the way we tell stories and view our idols. In the way we choose to consume media and celebrate our friendships. In the way we hope to call out the wrongdoings we see in the world and make conscious choices everyday to correct them. In the way that we are trying to improve on the upbringing of the next generation of young girls. In hopes that those girls can see women in positions of power and never have to question if they can do the same.
Setlist: Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince, Cruel Summer, The Man, You Need to Calm Down, Lover, The Archer, Fearless, You Belong With Me, Love Story, ’tis the damn season, willow, marjorie, champagne problems, tolerate it, …Ready for It?, Delicate, Don’t Blame Me, Look What You Made Me Do, Enchanted, 22, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, I Knew You Were Trouble, All Too Well (10 Minute Version), the 1, betty, the last great american dynasty, august, my tears ricochet, illicit affairs, cardigan, Style, Blank Space, Shake It Off, Wildest Dreams, Bad Blood, seven, The Story of Us, Lavender Haze, Anti-Hero, Midnight Rain, Vigilante Shit, Bejeweled, Mastermind, Karma
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