“It was rare I was there”: I Remember the Eras Tour All Too Well 

An extensive experience…

The Eras Tour is making history, and it was definitely my favorite event of the year. I was wondering, where do I even start this post? Getting ready for the show, arriving at the arena, Taylor Swift coming on stage? Or over one year ago where I was in the Ticketmaster queue, buying beads to make dozens of friendship bracelets or scouting every shop for clothes that could become my eras tour outfit? 

The Eras Tour is something so extensive that it is hard to put the experience into a few words. It is reliving girlhood surrounded by other fans going through the same thing. It is a time travel through all the albums that you grew up with. It is a sneak peek into all the tours you missed or ones that never happened. It is a place in time where you reminisce about all the memories these songs bring up while creating another core memory. To sum it up, it’s all a Swiftie could ever ask for! 

Welcome to Swiftkirchen…

It is the 19th of July 2024, Night 3 of Taylor Swift playing the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen. Or should I say Swiftkirchen, because the mayor of the German city decided to change the name of Gelsenkirchen in regards of Taylors special visit. Swiftkirchen, looks sparkling as I arrive. Everyone is in their best outfit matching one of Taylor Swifts Eras. Swifties just have the dedication and creativity…nothing compares to that. Glitter everywhere, and I happily swap friendship bracelets as I make my way to the entrance. 

I find my seats and it is the most amazing feeling to see the stage and realize that tonight it will be my turn. After years of watching blurry live streams, going to the cinema to watch the Eras Tour Movie and keeping up with surprise songs each night, I will finally see a Taylor Swift concert with my own eyes. As a big Paramore fan, I of course also look forward to them opening for Taylor. The band was amazing, Hayley Williams voice is insanely good and don’t get me started on their setlist… They played “Last Hope” (my all-time favorite song of them), “The Only Exception”, “This Is Why”, and many older and newer songs. Time flies when you are having a good time, so it felt like their set was over quickly. 

1,2,3, let’s go…

Then it is time for Taylor Swift. For over 3 hours she plays more than 40 songs, and the eras seamlessly blend into one beautiful show. From the pop anthems of “Lover” to the beloved “Fearless” songs and melancholic “Folklore” and “Evermore” songs. The crowd is up on their feet and fully engaged in the extraordinary show. There is so much going on. Wherever you look something will catch your eye. The talented dancers, the light effects created by the crowds’ interactive wristbands, or Taylors energetic performance and incredible voice. It is a good kind of overwhelming that fully throws you into the Taylor Swift world. 

Then we come to not only Taylor Swifts but also the fans’ favorite part of the show, the acoustic set! Or better known as the surprise songs. Taylor has a huge discography and even though the setlist is already long, she wants to play a few extra songs each night. In Gelsenkirchen Night 3 we got a mashup of “Paper Rings” (Lover) and “Stay, Stay, Stay” (Red) on the guitar. On the piano Taylor played “it’s time to go” (Evermore) and “Better Man” (Red). We got the best of both worlds: Two super fun songs first, and the sad piano moment. The acoustic set was such a special moment that finally gave me that feeling of “Oh, I’m actually seeing Taylor Swift right now.” 

Especially during the all- time classics from “1989”, “Red” or the “Reputation” era the crowd’s energy is unmatched. Each song that starts playing is met with excited chants and more dancing. The energy builds up to the newest albums “The Tortured Poets Department” and “Midnights”. With the arena fully dimmed the show looks even more spectacular and during “Karma” everyone danced one more time and memorized the beauty of this moment. 

Best believe I’m still bejeweled…

As the light goes back on, and people start to stream out of the stadium a weird feeling is in the air. Pure bliss and excitement from the spectacle we witnessed those last 3 and a half hours. And the lingering feeling of it being over. But the happiness outweighs the slight sadness, because I know these memories will last a lifetime and I am so grateful I got to be there. Taylor Swift put on an incredible show and honestly the feeling will last me a few more days and weeks, because damn it’s hard to get this glitter off my face!