THE ERAS TOUR
TAYLOR SWIFT,
GRACIE ABRAMS, MUNA
PAYCOR STADIUM
CINCINNATI, OHIO | JUNE 30, 2023
By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications
Taylor Swift’s dedicated multi-generational fan base, better known as “Swifties,” has never left her side—even as she’s evolved through different musical endeavors since her first album in 2006, transitioning from country to pop, they’ve remained. Record stadium sellouts of 65,000+ prove her fans’ diehard devotion, and Swift is just as equally supportive of her fans.
The 33-year-old artist has made history and continues to do so; most recently, she has become the first artist to spend 70 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 100 Chart.
Before yesterday’s Cincinnati show (one of two), many walked around the Paycor Stadium area to partake in a sort of block party or festival-like environment with loud music, merch vendors and food trucks—instead of “Tailgating” fans were “Tayl-gaiting.” An outside electronic billboard flickered to drivers: “Karma is watching pedestrians.” Even local radio stations had “Taylor Takeovers,” playing all Swift songs in advance of the concert.
Once inside the stadium, the sun was bright and the air was warm and humid. Many fans wore sequenced shirts, making the stadium sparkle like scattered blots of glitter shimmering in the sunlight. Others sported five or more sets of brightly colored homemade bracelets per hand, each bracelet with Swift-related wording; many Swifties handed out their friendship bracelets or traded them with others. Gracie Abrams and MUNA opened the show.
The hype and Beatlemania for the pop icon’s widely sold-out Eras Tour was justified as the show took attendees on a more than three-hour journey through her nearly two-decade long career—not just musically, but personally.
“I hope every time you hear one of these songs after tonight you’ll always think of this concert,” Swift told screaming fans.
The concert was more like a theatrical musical or play divided into Acts (or…Eras), with select songs (including all the hits) from each of her 10 albums essentially being its own sequential Act.
There were no sleepers, never a dull moment with the extraordinary meticulous production on an enormous T-shaped stage—from classy wardrobe changes (12-13 outfits) reflective of each Era, to astounding choreography, smoke bursts, explosive pyro, special effects, fireworks, confetti, fog, interactive synched light-up fan bracelets, and backgrounds/sets that brought the songs to life visually like music videos. Swift’s active onstage endurance is impeccable.
Throughout the set Swift connected with the crowd personally and sincerely, often pausing to sing directly to fans, making eye contact as she walked down the stage’s runway.
Before going into her last and most current Era, Midnights, Swift switches it up every night with two different “surprise songs.” Last night’s songs were: “I’m Only Me When I’m With You” on guitar and “evermore” on piano.
Nobody is doing it like Taylor Swift. If you don’t believe in magic now, you certainly will after witnessing The Taylor Swift Live Experience.
Swift has also been re-recording her albums so she will be able to own the masters (the original recordings of the songs). So far she has re-released Taylor Versions (TV) of Fearless and Red, next up is Speak Now out July 7.
Although the massive stadium tour will go steady into summer 2024 (the tour began March 2023 and will have a month off in Sept. Oct. Dec. and will continue internationally through August 2024, ending with three dates at Wembley Stadium) fans are already eagerly pondering what Taylor Swift’s next Era will be.
TAYLOR SWIFT (click photos to enlarge)
MUNA (click photos to enlarge)
GRACIE ABRAMS (click photos to enlarge)
Awesome review as well photos! Well done
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