Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which has grossed over $1.15 billion since March 17, 2023, is scheduled to end on Dec. 8, after navigating 51 cities worldwide and major milestones in the performer’s life.
Though Swift was hard at work, traveling around the world and performing for countless hours each week, she managed to release three separate albums during the tour, including rereleases of her 2014 album ‘1989’ and her 2012 album ‘Speak Now’, and an original album titled ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’
Swift was also able to perform through a breakup with her long-term boyfriend of six years, Joe Alwyn. Following the breakup, Swift maintained a fresh relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce, all while performing 10 sets each night over at least three nights per city. Swift and Kelce’s relationship created publicity for both the NFL and the Eras Tour, adding to the popularity of this monumental tour.
As the tour draws to its close, students and teachers throughout the school reflect on their experiences leading up to and during the shows that they saw.
“I went to see her in Liverpool, on June 13, which was her 100th show,” senior Kennedy Gilbert said. “Paying for three VIP tickets to the show, hotel rooms, and the flight were all cheaper than one VIP ticket in the U.S.”
Gilbert traveled roughly 3,500 miles primarily to watch Swift perform. During the tour, the highest price for a ticket sold in the U.S. was over $10,000, which granted access to Swift’s show in Miami. Some Canadian fans paid over $14,000.The spirit and dedication of “Swifties” is clearly unmatched, fans even singing their hearts out to the point of seismic activity.
“I was at Edinburgh night three, and my cousin sent me an article about the earthquake right after the show,” sophomore Olivia Finamore said. “I didn’t feel it while it was happening, but I danced hard enough that I believed it.”
Swift created an environment that was incredibly high-energy and united all of her 50,000 to 70,000 fans inside vast arenas.
“Taylor Swift Fans are connected and hold a bond no other fans can compare to,” sophomore Ada Rizley said. “The friendship bracelet exchange throughout the tour was very special to be a part of. I was able to make some new friends that I am still connected with to this day.”
Trading friendship bracelets, made of plastic colorful beads and containing many references to Swift’s music and career, was common practice before shows. Fans left shows with a piece of Swift’s lyrics on their wrists.
“Her shows are like a production,” Mrs. Rizley said. “It’s not only a concert. It’s a spectacle, there’s so many sets and costumes and special effects.”
In comparison to other artists and their performances, the Eras Tour has been more than just a concert.This cultural phenomenon will be remembered for years to come.
“Being able to attend the Eras tour was a life changing experience that I will never forget,” Rizley said.
