Those who were not able to attend “The Eras Tour” this summer now have an opportunity to see a pretty close second: “The Eras Tour Film.” With a price of $22 instead of $500, these tickets began to sell at extremely fast rates after Taylor Swift announced the presale on Aug. 31, 2023. On the first day of availability, these tickets garnered $26 million in sales. If that doesn’t show the power of Swift, what does?
As someone who attended “The Eras Tour” live in Philadelphia this past May, I can say that nothing can truly compare. However, I would be lying if I said the film didn’t come close. As I sat in a theater with about 50 other fans, I felt like I was back on the floor at Lincoln Financial Field screaming the bridge to “Cruel Summer,” crying during “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) [Taylor’s Version] [From The Vault]” and cheering for five extra minutes after “champagne problems.” Although movie viewers do not get to be in the same venue as Swift while watching the film, it certainly feels like she is speaking to you and singing with you. Something that Swifties have always been able to do well is make people feel like a part of a community. Swift told her fans to treat this movie like a concert, and that is exactly what they did.
Upon entry into the theater, I was met with the sight of exclusive Eras Tour popcorn buckets, cups, light-up wands and tote bags. Swift also knows how to market to her fans, pricing these bundle packages of merchandise at $13 (her lucky number) and $19.89 (in honor of the release of “1989 (Taylor’s Version).” By the time I made my way to the front of the line, the only item left was the popcorn bucket, which I bought with joy. The movie began with the famous countdown that was shown at the in-person concert, followed by her opening song: “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince.” Even though I was sitting in a folding chair watching her from afar, I got the same skip in my heart when I saw the unveiling of the artist on the big screen. Watching these songs being performed on a screen was a completely different — but equally phenomenal — experience. Not only were the speakers playing these songs at the perfect, loud and crisp volume, but the camera work was also impeccable. Viewers got a clear, close-up view of the band, dancers, stage effects, fans in the crowd and Swift, of course. There is something special about getting to watch others’ reactions to these personal, moving and iconic songs that brings a new level of appreciation to the concert.
Just as the artist took the fans through a journey of her musical career at the concert, she did the same with the film, bringing the crowd through nine eras of albums: “Fearless,” “Speak Now,” “Red,” “1989,” “Reputation,” “Lover,” “folklore,” “evermore” and “Midnights.” In addition to these albums, the film also included two surprise songs that Swift performed on the final night of the U.S. leg of the tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles: “Our Song” and “You’re On Your Own, Kid.” If you’re not already aware, these surprise songs are performed between the “1989” and “Midnights” eras. Swift grabs her guitar and sits at the piano, and plays two songs that the crowd has not yet heard, giving us an authentic, acoustic performance. This is an extremely special part of the concert, and one that I am pleased made it into the film. I can confidently say that I left the theater that night with the same pit in my stomach that left with me in May after the concert. If you have not yet had the opportunity to see this film, I would strongly advise purchasing tickets, as watching this concert on the big screen is something that every Swiftie (and non-Swiftie) should experience.
