by Nisha Khatri ‘26

After a record-shattering two years, the Eras Tour finally came to an end on December 8 in Vancouver, Canada. Since the tour’s start in Glendale, Arizona in March 2023, Taylor Swift has traveled to five continents and over twenty countries. From the moment the lights dimmed to the final song, fans were taken on an ethereal journey encompassing tracks from Swift’s extraordinary eighteen-year-long career.

While I had expected more song mash-ups when I saw the show, Swift’s strategy of granting each album (aside from the debut) its own “era” was brilliant. Instead of going in order, Swift opted to formulate a unique arrangement to maintain engagement and energy.

From the beginning of the concert with the Lover set, Swift wore masterfully crafted outfits. I was lucky enough to have been close to the stage, and one of my favorite parts of this experience was seeing the intricate details such as the sparkles of her bodysuits, jackets, and boots. After this set, she fully turned the concert into a show by guiding fans through a journey of her music, from the high-energy reminiscent set of Fearless to the mystical world of folklore.

Among the striking aspects of the concert was Swift’s ability to connect with the audience. Before performances of songs such as “Champagne Problems,” Swift gave insight into her writing process and expressed what the songs meant to her. During songs such as “marjorie,” crowds were completely united in celebration, from filling the stadium with lights to cheering for over five minutes straight.
Along with this, the production was simply next-level. During “Don’t Blame Me,” for instance, Swift climbed down steps on the stage while spotlights shined high enough to reach a plane. Swift’s choreography was also truly incredible. While performing songs off the 1989 set such as “Style,” she shook it off with sensational choreography in a two-piece outfit perfectly reminiscent of the original 1989 World Tour. Songs such as “willow” also incorporated orbs and capes.

During the finale set of her new album Midnights, Swift performed hits like “Lavender Haze” and “Anti-Hero,” but the last song was extraordinary, as she brought out Ice Spice for a special performance of “Karma.” The two came close up and interacted with us, ending the night on a memorable note.

The experience on the floor was out of this world. Everywhere I turned, I saw someone wearing an intricate outfit and arms adorned with friendship bracelets. Swifties excitedly drew inspiration from “You’re on Your Own, Kid,” as Swift says to “make the friendship bracelets.”

The fans also did not disappoint with their carefully chosen clothing, sometimes matching Swift or recreating an outfit from a previous era. Someone had a similar outfit to me from the 1989 era, and it was incredibly special to come together with strangers and attend a concert that felt like the soundtrack for our life.

For fans unable to attend the show in-person, they were given the opportunity to experience the tour’s magic in the film Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, which was released in theaters and on Disney Plus. As someone who attended the movie as well, I can confirm it encapsulates the feeling of this momentous tour. Fans were able to relive their memories of the tour by singing along in fancy outfits representing different eras.