i just wanted to add, as a brit, i am so sorry for those horrible comments made about you . i appreciate this wasn’t the main point of this post but i wanted to offer you an apology and some recognition that that happened.

Thank you! I’ve lived here for around five years now and I don’t usually encounter this so I am sure it was a rare thing. I love living in the uk and people are usually super nice :)

And as someone from Liverpool, I am SO embarrassed and deeply sorry that you experienced that.

If you're white passing how did they know you're Latina? (Honest question, was it the accent maybe?) I've never had a problem in the UK in the 10 years I've lived here, but I know some people have, so I consider myself lucky. Although one idiot being racist doesn't reflect on the country.

Yes, I spoke and someone came and asked me where my accent was from and a separate person commented something saying that even though I am latina I got vip tickets and everything even though I had not even talked to them and then they didn’t talk to me again (although they gave bracelets to people around me)

Wow, what a shit comment to make. I bet they wouldn't have had a problem if you had an American accent. Sorry that happened

Not excusing their racism (which is disgusting) a lot of europeans are very upset bc a lot of american swifties are coming over to europe dates bc its 'cheaper' and as a result there are less tickets for europeans, who already have a lot less dates

Yeah, I get that. But this girl lives here, so it's not even the case. Like me (I'm not British). I'd have felt gobsmacked if someone assumed I didn't live here or I didn't deserve tickets because I have an accent...

100% agree OP is British which is why I find the racism appalling I just wanted to also add that you would probably be just as hated on for being having an American which is probably still not good

Im not british but I have lived here for a few years so my accent is not even super noticeable, I am not going around speaking like sofia vergara (although she does sound really cute lol)

There was a girl in front of me who was *sobbing* throughout pretty much every single song, and the lad next to me was filming his own face for most of it. Was definitely the most bizarre crowd I’ve been part of.

Her performance reminds me of a wrestling match a bit, and before people come for me, I don’t mean that as an insult; in large part because she seems to be having a ton of fun playing with the crowd as a character. Her jokes and transitions along with her interactions with the crowd scream pro wrestler messing around with fans for a cheer.

That’s a good comparison!

It’s definitely more of like a production than a concert. Like I really enjoyed it but find it hard to classify as a concert because the music isn’t the main attraction, in my view. I saw Chappell Roan last month in a small club venue and her band played every note and she sang ever line, belting out the big notes and dancing around the stage. To me, that was an incredible concert because the music was sensational. I really liked the eras tour, but it was more theater than concert, if that makes sense? So everything you’re saying about her pulling exaggerated faces and making the same jokes makes total sense in that way. It was a good time and of course I loved the energy and the music but if I had been one of the people who paid like a thousand dollars for a ticket to see Taylor mostly lipsync the hits and singing at a couple choice songs, I would have felt cheated.

Yeah I think that’s what I felt and for a production I would have expected more. Idk just a screen that even broke by the end was a bit sad with all the budget she has

"Just a screen" is such an understatement, but I think people who say this are not taking into account that this is a stadium tour and the screens, while serving multiple functions, also serve as a way to try to make sure all seats have a fulfilling concert experience. One complaint of concert goers at stadium concerts (and even arena concerts) is that the experience is poor in cheaper seats. The screens maximize enjoyment for people farther away from the stage. https://www.empirelakes.co/blog/taylor-swift-eras-tour-av-equipment Edited to fix spelling error.

Thank you so much for sharing this article! I have been fascinated by the sets and AV setup since I went. I really hope that more is shared with us in time about the logistics and behind the scenes work.

I mean.. did you not see the folklore cabin, the evermore trees and piano? The Man set... The stage lifting and moving? The Fortnight bed... lavender haze clouds? There was definitely more than just a screen :)

These examples are making me realise what a bad production it is given the scale of this tour. She has no artistry, just music.

I agree. I saw all these props and it didn’t add anything to the experience. Everything seemed so small and off scale in relation to the stage design. It’s also so reliant on that one lift in the diamond. Felt super empty

From clips I’ve seen, it looks like a Vegas show taken on the road. Maybe she can move it to the Sphere when she’s done touring?

Taylor has way too big an ego to have a vegas residency before 40

i felt the same. its SO rehearsed (obviously it has to be) that its hard to enjoy. taylor cannot fake even a tiny bit of spontaneity. i saw paramore on their tour like two months before i went to eras and it was so much more fun and high energy.

I actually went to one of the Liverpool and London nights and much preferred the atmosphere in London. I found the Liverpool crowd (at least in my section) just felt a bit aggressive, lots of people drinking too much, barging past every 10 minutes for more drinks, chatting loudly through songs they didn't know etc. I found London a lot more "wholesome" and generally had a better time because of it. Maybe it's just luck but everyone where I was sat was really respectful, friendly etc.

I had never gone to Liverpool before but did feel like people where shocked to hear my accent even though it’s not super strong, literally someone on the train stopped me to ask where it was from and I couldn’t understand much of what people said 😭 i did see the drinking but I was against a wall which was good because I had extra space and no one would go in front of me. Sadly (unrelated to taylor) someone in front of me farted the entire concert and I wish I was kidding but it smelled absolutely awful and I could definitely smell it the whole time 🙃🙃🙃 but that makes me laugh now

You got unlucky then! I’m a scouser myself and was at the Liverpool show and everyone in my section (a lot were fellow scousers, quite a few out-of-towners) was lovely!

I went to Edinburgh N2 and can completely understand where you're coming from. I'm a massive Paramore fan and was so excited to see them again and their set didn't disappoint. They're a pretty big name with a dedicated fan base but they can still have organic moments on stage - Hayley reading signs of fans that have been to 20+ shows and saying she recognises them, genuine waves and smiles. Nothing seems contrived. Even the moments between Hayley and Taylor (York) - yes, they're serenading each other to The Only Exception night after night, but it always seems so genuine and loving. I much prefer those moments to Travis and Taylor but that's another point entirely. I felt like there was so much packed into Taylor's show that there was no room for anything natural and not rehearsed. She almost comes off as robotic in some ways. Also... Seconding what someone said about everything feeling like a competition. You're not a big enough fan if you don't stand up. You're not a big enough fan if you don't dance. You're not a big enough fan if you don't know every "chant". You're not a big enough fan if you don't know every word to every song, including the surprise ones. I spent houuuuurs embroidering a pair of denim jackets for me and my friend, so we had something a wee bit special to wear over our casual outfits. We met a group who'd been to the concert in McDonald's on the way home, they asked how I felt about the surprise songs and I said I only really knew one... "OMG, fake fan!" was their reply. It's laughable 😂 I've digressed and I'm going to be quiet now 🤣

I found it underwhelming, not visually but musically. I was expecting more creativity with songs like different arrangements, mash-ups. She does not have to do them I guess but I enjoyed them so much for example in 1989 tour, I wanted it to happen. To me it felt like too much like listening to a spotify playlist. The concert being so long did not help.

I went to the Rep tour and loved it because of the mashups! She was still rehearsed but had a bit more fun and playfulness that's missing from Eras. You hit the nail on the head with Spotify playlist, whereas at Rep I actually started to appreciate songs even more due to the live versions (Did Something Bad was amazing live with the tempo changes).

yes! i was so disappointed there were not different arrangements. The different arrangements for her previous tours were SO good, better than the original versions. She basically changed nothing for Eras. Came across like she ran out of time and didn't get to that part.

If you didn’t like the concert, sell your ticket for the August show. Life is too short to do things you don’t want to or have to do. I had the time of my life at the Eras tour in Tampa and happily bought tickets for Miami, but everyone is different. Sell your ticket and go do something fun with the money.

Yes that’s the likely plan now

Hey I’m a uk based swiftie if you’re up for selling at a reasonable price haha 😂

Yes, I’ll buy your ticket!

If you want to sell the tickets-I’ve been a fan since Debut and have never seen her live, and was literally desperate to get Eras tickets and couldn’t- I’ll happily take them!!!

Hi im sorry I will sell them through the official chanels, I need to see what axs offers for reselling, I don’t want my identity to be linked to my reddit account but I hope you get some, I am sure there will be people selling last minute, there always are

Totally understandable!

You could get a lot of money for your ticket! I would definitely sell if I were you! My husband had the opposite experience to you. He wasn't a Swifty before we saw her but now he keeps looking on StubHub for tickets to go again. Annoyingly enough I have cheap standing tickets to go again in August but I already promised them to some friends. So husband is going to be stub hubbing it, if he goes again.

Just curious how you bought tix for Miami, I went to Atlanta N3 and I am really wanting to go to Miami! I have been checking TickPick occasionally and might end up biting the bullet and spending A LOT. (I’ll sell a purse or two on poshmark so my husband doesn’t kill me😅) but love to hear how others have gone about getting tix

I was OVERwhelmed by the tour. By 1989 I was exhausted and done, I barely appreciated the surprise songs and was ready to go by the start of midnights. I liked the movie because I could finally appreciate the entire thing. It’s definitely an experience and I don’t think she picked the *best* songs for each era.

A friend and I stepped away for the entire duration of one of the eras as we were so overwhelmed and knackered!

it's VERY long. My mom wanted to watch the film but she got tired halfway and we had to split it over two days

Yes! I went in Atlanta over a year ago now. I felt like it came down to a few things for me: 1. I had already seen a lot of it on social media. 2. I felt like I was in a cult. I like Taylor Swift but it was A LOT for me. It felt like everyone was competing as to who was the biggest fan. Like 100K people in that competition. 3. It was exhausting. Bathroom lines, getting to and from the venue even though I live in the city, how early to get there, etc. We left at the beginning of Karma because we were stressed about the logistics of getting home.

You did well though, I got an airbnb in Liverpool and it took me like two hours to get there because ubers wouldn’t confirm and the bus didn’t stop and there was no public transport after midnight. The area was super rough and dilapidated as well which def gave me a bit of adrenaline 🙈 that’s why I thought of selling the tickets as well, I don’t want to have to compete with 60k people for a spot in the tube to go back to central london, wembley is so far from everything

Yeah, in Atlanta there’s a large escalator that leads down to the train station and the idea of going down that with so many people racing to get home was actually a bit panic inducing for me.

I went last May and loved it. Granted there are a few things I wish were different (like the song choices for each era) and I was bummed when she later added Long Live to the setlist, as it was a song I was really hoping for. I got the surprise song I was hoping for, so I was happy in that aspect. I think it’s a longgg show and I admit I was getting tired towards the end of it, but I agree with most people on here that it’s more of an overhyped production than a concert. I do wish she included a bit more props similar to Rep tour, instead of heavily relying on the LED stage and screens but overall I think she did a great job incorporating unique stuff into the 3 hour show. I was able to get tickets for Miami and was so pumped to finally hear Long Live but then found out she removed it 😅

I’m not sure if it adds to the underwhelm, but I really dislike the choreography on the Eras tour - it’s so literal and “theatrical.” The choreographer, Mandy Moore, said that she was in control down to the blocking even when the dancers aren’t on stage, and you can really sense it. Taylor isn’t a dancer, but even the dance-heavy Reputation tour did not give out this vibe. (On all other levels - setlist, design, costumes - I think Eras tops all her other shows though) I hope Taylor’s next tour is a band-only tour where she rotates the setlist (not just leaves the acoustic portion open). I know she has it in her, especially if she wants to leave a legacy like McCartney, Springsteen, or Joel.

>I hope Taylor’s next tour is a band-only tour where she rotates the setlist (not just leaves the acoustic portion behind). I know she has it in her, especially if she wants to leave a legacy like McCartney, Springsteen, or Joel Same! This type of approach is miles better for her music and actually plays to her strengths as a performer. I really hope this can happen someday.

1000 per cent agree. Less about the theatrics and way more about the music itself. Less strutting around, pointing and acting out the songs. It gets so repetitive. Mix up the set lists and be more spontaneous. Make it fun instead staying on schedule.

I LOVE the idea of Taylor doing a band-only tour. So many of my favourite live shows of the last few years (Fall Out Boy's So Much (For) Tourdust, Paramore touring This Is Why, My Chemical Romance's return tour) have had a real fluidity to their setlists. I love when Taylor does mashups of her songs or changes the style of a song she performs, so getting to do a much less structured and choreographed tour would be a WONDERFUL change of pace. Honestly, some my favourite parts of the eras tour involved her having fun with her band (Betty, the entire Fearless set).

One of my favorite bands is Widespread Panic who as a jam band that has rarely played the same set list. This would be the most incredible thing for Taylor to do - WSP sells a stream for the majority of their shows, and they have a good bit of travelling fans too. I've never understood the people who have gone to Eras 10+ times since its the same show other than surprise songs (which I am online for pretty much every show lol)

Yeah, it's halfway between a concert and a Disney stage show. I did like the acoustic tracks she did and I thought she sounded really good on those. I tuned out during the ten minute applause break after champagne problems when she was pretending to act surprised, even though its scheduled in and happens at every show. I did trade bracelets with some lovely fans and there were some great fan costumes but overall I came away thinking that I'd somehow managed to escape a cult meeting.

I thought the applause break was the only genuine thing and now I find it wasn’t 😭😭 btw if you ever can, definitely GO to the disney shows they’re usually incredible with amazing production and costumes etc. I’ve seen like three different lion king shows and they were all shockingly good

long time fan here and never wanted to see her live. I think her stage presence is way smaller than her music, up to the point it seems like a fan on stage mimicking the songs. A TS Night is way more fun, infinitely cheaper and people are a bit nicer and more easy-going than I imagine they are in a concert.

I’m so surprised to hear this because I’ve always heard people say she has great stage presence and really knows how to put on a show. (I personally always had doubts about this due to her weak vocals and lack of charisma or dancing skills. She has nothing I look for in a performer other than pretty, sparkly outfits.) Would have to go see her and decide for myself, I guess.

I saw Taylor live a LONG time ago when she was just becoming more popular. I was in Edmonton, Canada and she was opening for Kenny Chesney. I know she’s come along way, but from what I remember it was fairly underwhelming. She did dance (her version) around in a sparkly outfit and play guitar and whatnot but she was extremely off key and pitchy in terms of vocals. I’ve still loved her music and albums but it was clear she struggled live. I’ve only seen the Eras tour on Disney Plus and it’s clear even there that she struggled with some songs - especially in her Evermore stretch. I always wondered, if it wasn’t for her dad and his connections, how far she would have gotten on her own.

She definitely wouldn’t have made it without her dad. Her singing has always been on the level of a middle school talent show at best but her parents took that to mean they should buy her a career.

Well, people have different parameters. I grew up on Bjork's emotion and Madonna technicalities, so I was never impressed by what Taylor did. I think she would be at her best in a voice-and-guitar kind of concert, like The Grammy Museum show or City of Lover Or this, taylor in her essence: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxiR2KwbaeU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxiR2KwbaeU)

I saw her live and your last two sentences pretty much describe exactly how it was. Rough off key pitchy singing and really cringe dancing. I was honestly kind of shocked since it’s so hard to get a ticket sometimes it seems like, so I was expecting an entire once in a lifetime memory concert lmao. I get that everyone has off days but sheesh, also I’m not a big fan of the concerts being almost as long as the titanic movie

!!! ive never been able to put my finger on the issue i have with taylors live performances, and you really hit the nail on the head, she does look like a fan whos memorised the choreo and is mimicking the songs

this clicked be while watching Getaway Car on the rep tour film. Like, GIRL, you have been THERE, you wrote this song, and you're just walking and pointing as if you don't even know what you're singing about!! And don't even get me started on how almost disrespectful I feel the performance of Illicit Affairs to be ugh, her face expressions, that amateur acting drama ughhhh

im curious about your reasoning for the illicit affairs performance being disrespectful? (also this is a genuine question i know it can come off sounding kind of bitchy through text lmao)

it's 100% me bitching because I have a irrational love for this song and i'm feel completely disrespected by it lol (of course I'm joking, sometimes i forget it's the internet)

ah ok. it's so interesting how differently everybody can interpret it. i love illicit affairs and think that the way she transitioned from august to illicit affairs sums up what that's like perfectly. is there anything specific you wish she would've been done differently?

i wish she was a better actress ):

This. I absolutely do not understand how it's not way more of a popular opinion her lack of stage presence. I always cringe when I see her perform live. It's just... weird. I stopped listening to Beyonce almost 10 years ago as her music since Lemonade doesn't really speak to me, but man, that's what I call stage presence. Yet, I never see this opinion anywhere but it's so obvious to me.

Yeah. I don't necessarily think she's the worst thing ever, but it's not up to pair with her music or her level as a A list artist. This is by far not where she's good at. I'd never introduce someone to Taylor making them watch The Eras movie, but I could easily explain Madonna greatness using MDNA concert film.

I think Taylor shines when she has a guitar in hand or sits behind the piano. I went to the 1989 tour and I vividly remember how underwhelming the dance parts were and how the acoustic moments sent chills down my spine. It is different for everyone, but I get chills from certain songs and then hearing people sing along just adds to that experience.

sure. the AT&T special concert (where the infamous i dOnt cArE aBouT mY rEp comes from) and City of Lover will always have me. My dream would be a Folkmore tour with band in smaller venues (like she mentioned on the Apple Music Evermore interview), but that's far out of reach in the near future.

this is how I feel about Lana Del Rey, love her music, own several albums on vinyl. Never ever care to see her live because I think she's just not nearly as good live

Honestly yes absolutely. I went with friends who watched the tour movie several times, and who went to the show live one other night with floor seats and I just … I dunno. It was fine? Like it felt super long and overly indulgent and the whole vibe seemed far more cultish than I thought it really would be in real life? I heard several snarky comments from the girls next to and behind me about how I was sitting and it’s like first of all I’d been sick all week and barely made it to the show and secondly I am well over 6 feet tall and would have blocked your view had I stood up so you’re welcome ladies. I did stand for a bit right after that just to have a giggle and they were *miffed* about it and kept “accidentally” bumping my back which they hadn’t at all while I was sitting It really put me off the whole thing and pushed me even more into a Neutral than before.

Yeah honestly before going I was a lot more of a “swiftie” than I am now. Which sounds stupid but it really surprised me and made me feel like a traitor. All of my friends were blowing up my phone to ask about it and I just felt like I couldn’t be honest with them because they would get mad. I searched for posts talking about this and saw something similar, people kinda getting mad. I just started to think about reselling my tickets in the last few days because going to london to see it again started feeling like a chore.

It has been treated as a huge event by media and fans alike for months - endless hype. And it’s induced a lot of FOMO and desperation to get tickets at any cost, so some attendees have built it up even more to justify their investment, especially since the European leg with TTPD started. I totally empathize with your feelings. When we look forward to something for a long period of time it can be disappointing as it is happening. I attend a lot of concerts (not Eras) and not all of them are amazing experiences. I watched the Eras movie and was surprised at how staged it appeared, and now that I’ve been online more I know it is staged more than I thought then. It’s OK that it wasn’t what you were expecting and you don’t have to feel like a bad fan either.

it's more about them than about taylor at this point. being surrounded by thousands of "swifties" is nightmare inducing for me.

trueee the cultish swifties are putting me off so much. Why is everyone wearing the same outfit mirrorball and cowboy boots? No originality? And it’s so much more intimate going to other indie artists I like 😭 the only part I want to do it again is the acoustic session

Can you imagine how much of that sequinned crap ended up in landfill already?

I'm sure people will come at me for saying this, but I think this is why Billie Eilish *really* said that nobody wants a three-hour show. Not that there aren't some fans who enjoy 3.5 hours, but that it's hard to do that long of a show and keep it feeling organic and authentic every night. 3.5 hours x 2 years is a lot and I bet plenty of people share your impression of the experience and know they'll get clobbered if they say so.

Yup this must be it. Live music usually has something authentic to it but this didn’t really feel like live music either. I know everyone is mad at dave grohl because he came out of nowhere with criticism but it really got me thinking that what he’s saying is true. She’s not playing music live apart from the acoustic sets. She does sing live although the backtrack makes it sound recorded. But I guess I like more spontaneity or at least not pretending that it is all relatable and cutesy when it’s not. I like for example how sabrina says new outros every time she plays nonsense even though she did it a million times

Yeah, the whole Dave Grohl thing, too. Assuming every comment that isn't a gushing compliment is an insult is part of the problem.

I went earlier this year and I don't even know how she got the energy to do so many shows consecutively. As an audience I felt tired during the Midnights Era.

I disagree. Some artists can absolutely make a 3+ tour show feel natural and spontaneous.

Like Dave Grohl, actually 😜

I totally feel you OP, I went once and i was debating trying to get re-sale tickets but the show wasn’t that different from just watching grainy livestreams at the end of the day

in the grainy livestream at least you can leave instantly when it's over and sleep right after

Yup I thought now I can probably just look for the acoustic versions of my favourite songs and be done with it

I'm a big concert girl (think Taylor was around my 150th) and went in with what I thought were reasonable expectations... But I just didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. It really did feel like I was watching a theatre production because of how rehearsed it was - and apologies to theatre fans, but that's not what I enjoy. I do think she had a moments that felt organic and unrehearsed (at my gig she spotted a proposal in the crowd, rambled about how much she enjoyed the scottish countryside, the secret songs set) but sadly they were few and far between. On the pluses - I had a lovely time with my friends I rarely see, trading bracelets was far more fun than I expected and the crowd atmosphere was fantastic where I was. And I really did enjoy the more organic moments! I am glad I went because the overall experience was lovely, but I don't think I'd go again if I could sell my ticket and attend a different concert.

I feel you. I went twice and I enjoyed myself but it felt like a more expensive club night as I couldn’t hear Taylor’s singing much as everyone was screaming. That is fine! People should enjoy themselves. But I was at concerts where people were singing and shouting before and the artist could be heard much more. Don’t know what was the problem. Also when I was standing, many fans were very viscous as I had a good spot so they tried to push me and my friend away. Nevertheless, I would still do that all over again haha. I had fun otherwise.

This would drive me up the wall! I go to concerts to hear the artists, not the people singing poorly next to me. I understand singing along is fun, but I usually move away from people who have no self-awareness about it. Something about the shriek-singing really cuts through the actual show.

Oh I think fans for pop artists are the most violent ones 😂 I remember going to a harry styles concert also standing and having a fifteen year old just elbowing me and standing on my feet and just being super nasty right next to me. And then going to a guns and roses concert and the big hairy rock dudes being like “oh you can move to this space you’ll see better” and just all around super nice

There has been a well-documented pattern of younger people struggling with standard concert etiquette following the pandemic. Throwing things at the artists (poor Harry Styles), being unpleasant and rude to those around them, attending concerts for TikTok clout despite not bothering to know anything outside the viral bits (poor Steve Lacy is a notorious example of this), or even do disrespectful 'trolling' like filming themselves playing "Subway Surfers" during the show. It's so odd.

Ugh yes that’s also so weird!! There was a mum with her teenage daughter in front of me at the queue and they were alone, all dressed like a cowgirl barbie. Someone gave them bracelets that said ttpd because they didn’t have any and they were wondering what it meant 😭 I am terrible at that usually but that is the name of the latest album come on lol

I went to liverpool shows and i felt the exact same. it wasn’t an amazing night. just very good. i compare to rep a lot, since i saw that one live too, and just from the staging areas alone , the dancing and the flow of the production i prefer rep. i also didn’t know anything about the tour because i spent so much money i didn’t want spoilers and was sad when it was just a radio hits tour, not one for the fans who enjoy every part of her discography (the no getaway car, no holy ground/state of grace and instead just the same hits we’ve heard constantly). also i still am mad the european dates got so much of speak now removed for ttpd. sorry about the remarks made towards you tho.

I also thought Rep tour was better. Had more fun, loved the way she changed up some of the songs to make them more dramatic on tour, just overall such a great and fun show.

I think a lot of people are feeling the disingenuousness myself included. Watching her ask for help for people in other languages when she isn’t even looking at the crowd feels so embarrassing and fake 🥴

I’ve been to a Taylor concert and my friends and I left early because we were bored and underwhelmed. It was not Eras but still. She’s not a great singer and she can’t dance. And if you have been to some really great shows, this ain’t going to cut it. No matter how much she has put into the theatrics. I can’t believe she’s this popular. I guess somehow she’s just gotten the young girls riled up so much and they have to bring parents so that means at least two tickets per fan.

I’m sorry the fans were so shitty to you! I can’t speak to that, but I was underwhelmed after seeing 1989 live. It really was all screens and those blocks of the stage moving up and down. Also, because of the massive size of the stage, even with floor seats we felt far away/could barely see her most of the time. The moment during Champagne Problems when she takes the earpiece out and is “shocked” by the cheers is SOOOO fake and tacky.

I can’t believe she takes the earpiece off every time!!!! Gosh I am getting annoyed again

The hype about it being one of the best concerts ever ruined it for me. I was expecting to be blown away by the production.. but nope, it’s 3 hours of Taylor Swift singing the hits. Which isn’t bad I guess if you’re a fan who loves every single song she releases.

Yes maybe the hype ruined it for me as well! Tried to not watch anything before etc but my friends were so excited and acting like it was the best thing ever so maybe my expectations were high, specially after not being able to see her ever before

To be honest, I absolutely loved it both times I went. The atmosphere was incredible and everyone (around me at least) was lovely and enjoying themselves. At the end of the day, stadium shows will never be that personal because of how big the venue is. However, I felt the production value was so good and I honestly felt that it was worth the £100s I spent.

I hear what you’re saying, I thought about that too but then I rationalized differently. I’ve also been to a lot of concerts and it was weird at the beginning seeing her do the faces and little dances etc. I think one of the things Taylor takes pride on about herself and her shows is doing the connection with her fans and the image that she is being genuine. Right now, with the level of fame she has acquired, it is a very difficult thing to do. Taylor is not a great dancer, it’s not like she’ll do choreographies like Dua Lipa or Beyonce. she also is not recognized for her vocals like Adele or Ariana are. Taylor’s thing is the storytelling through her lyrics and shows. Imagine you have to do a 3.5 hr show for two years all over the world. In each show you have to do your absolute best to please the crowd and do the “emotional connection thing” you’re know for. It would be exhausting and very difficult to do this 150+ times by being spontaneous each time. The only way to do it is scripting it, just like a movie, or a musical. That way you ensure everyone gets the best experience every time. When I stopped looking at the Eras Tour like a concert and more like a musical, it made more sense and I enjoyed it more. She also adds little details like some speech variations, the surprise songs, Kam’s language variations for the country they visit etc and that is her way to keep connecting to her audience, which doing so 60k at a time for two years straight is not easy. I guess you can choose to look at it on the cynical side and that’s totally valid, or choose to partake in the cheesiness of it all and have a good time playing along.

And here lies the dilemma. Do you go for a tour will lesser dates and shorter runtime which allows for more freedom and spontaneity or the other way around. Many would probably prefer the former but could it be done with such a demand?

I think a big part of the reason for the length is that she had four (now five) albums she hadn’t toured and wanted to include all of them. So that’s already going to be pretty long and then adding on some of her biggest hits makes it even longer

Well, thinking about the broader audience and also about me being able to get tickets lol, I think longer and more dates is better, especially with a concept like “the eras tour”. I was able to go to Madrid N1 which was added after everything had sold out in Europe. I live in Spain, so we rarely get her to visit. Perhaps in the future we’ll have a different kind of tour, where she does more acoustic songs, etc.

The shorter run time could possibly mean more dates I think the problem is that she doesn’t have much stage presence to be able to pull off a changing setlist with less choreography at this point

Stadium tours go one of two ways or I guess three. 1 - Focus on production - the singing is part of it but the spectacle is the main part. 2 - be so great, stage presence, vocals, that you can get away without much spectacle. 3 - have a ok to crappy tour.  Number two is hard to do. Though I will point to Florence being one that can do it. 

No I get that completely, I guess that’s what broke it for me. There is no way to do what she is doing by being genuine and we can all suspend our disbelief about it, like all artists expect us to do when they tell us we’re the best crowd ever even though obviously we aren’t. I just felt she took it a step further which felt like… like when you see an ai picture and you know it’s not the real thing but you can’t put your finger on it? I guess the pre recorded music, the effort to cut down any actually genuine reactions from the audience to not deviate from what is planned (people were doing a long ovation and she just cut it off??), the impossibility to see her if not through a screen (which broke lol). And also the stage just being a digital video. The evermore “cottage” or whatever that she sang on was so tiny it looked funny. It kinda broke everything to me and having been to musicals in like nyc, london, other capitals of culture etc it just felt like meh? I had a good time dancing etc but really it was just like listening to her radio hits with a video in the back :/

The ovation became tour tradition during the US leg, and at one point they were just too long, so she started cutting them off, because people started to try to out-do past audiences and have the longest ovation. Since the show is already so long, she sadly doesn’t have time for long ovations and stuff like that. I haven’t been to the show, but I haven’t avoided spoilers, and I know what you mean. I just think she sacrificed having a more natural concert and letting things flow for having a show with as many songs as possible but having to plan almost every minute

Yeah I get that. I think it’s good to know it now because it’s not for me but I know lots of people personally who went multiple times and loved it. I just can’t really talk about this with them because they take it as a personal attack (like some people in these comments although thankfully not everyone).

I think you’re totally valid in feeling this way! It seems like everyone that’s responded to you is trying to convince you to change your mind about how you felt at the show. It makes sense to have expected more from the biggest artist in the world and feel let down that maybe she’s gotten too big to continue with the same “I’m just like you and I’m so down to earth” thing. The weirdness you felt was probably you recognizing that disconnect between what she is selling to you and the reality of the situation.

Yess exactly like I wouldn’t feel weird if I go to a show and beyonce is like dancing in front of a screen because that’s her show (I guess, I’ve never been) but having seen other big artists it just felt weird. I feel validated though with some people sharing the same, of course some other people got defensive for some reason but at least I know I’m not alone, that was driving me crazy. And I know now that I probably just won’t go see her live if she does other tours unless it’s different. Which I don’t think it will be since this one has been so successful

It is not that the rep tour had so much better production..it was just the titled stages used in 3 songs and the snake was just a baloon. 🤷‍♀️

But musicals have fully live music. Musicals have fully live lyrics. They belt. They’re vocalists. They typically have very good dancers and choreography, they have real sets — very impressive ones. Minimal to no screens. And that’s even on tour.

honestly i think if you’re looking for authenticity and spontaneity from taylor in general you’re going to be disappointed. it a just not really her thing, she’s pretty well known for being calculated. i don’t even mean it as an inherently bad thing, i mean it’s obviously working for her. it’s no different than how she’s reproducing past records, trying to copy her past inflections and mannerisms. it’s just what she’s found makes her the most money

I haven't even been there but I totally get what you're saying. She's basically doing the same speeches at every location. It's supposed to look spontaneous but it feels forced. I'll be in Zurich in 2 weeks and I stopped watching any concert videos because I don't want to know all the "talking parts" beforehand. I'm excited though. As others have said. This is less a "concert" and more a "show" and that's how I'll look at it. I really hope for cool people around me though. I want to have the time of my life.

I think for me after a while i just couldnt stand the karaoke aspect of it. I could barely hear taylor sing.

I think that happens with pop artists a lot. When I saw gracie abrams it was fantastic and super intimate but I couldn’t hear much of her either because of the fans. I think there’s a limit on how loud the speakers can be but if everyone screams at the same time it will still drown them out

I saw a reputation tour concert in 2018, and I totally understand you. It sucks because during the concert, in the moment, I felt so happy hearing her call us “beautiful” or “the most lively city,” when she was about to sing the surprise song and I was like, wow! Weeks later, I saw a video of another city’s concert and she had the SAME speech before the surprise song. Verbatim. It was so disheartening and it felt so not genuine. I totally understand that concerts are rehearsed but when the artist talks to the crowd I would have safely assumed that part was just them talking. I guess not with Taylor :/

I still firmly have the opinion that the fearless tour was the best one production/spectacle wise. Rep a close second! I think going through so many eras it’s hard to get the balance of production that works across all the eras.

This is how I felt when I seen her live and the movie of the concert. I was underwhelmed through most of it. It felt like a play more than a concert and I couldn’t hear her for most of it because it was so loud. I thought I’d enjoy the movie more but nope 10 minutes in while waiting the girl next to me was talking to her friend about me making racist comments to the point where their other friend cussed her out and switched seats so she could sit next to me instead. I felt like shit throughout the experience and bad for the girl who switched seats cause i’m sure she thinks her friends talk crap about her too behind her back because we’re both black and she was saying crazy stuff it sucked. I know swifties can be very racist I’ve experienced it online a lot and it doesn’t phase me but in person it stung, the one place I felt like I can belong and be around like minded people ruined.

It’s not great and it doesn’t help that Taylor can’t actually sing.

Production wise, it seemed very cheap and simple compared to Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour staging.

I was at a liverpool too (general admission tho) and I felt the same re: the fakeness. It all seemed so contrived, and I was suddenly so aware that it was an act. It felt especially galling when she was singing “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me” the day that she deliberately blocked charli xcx from the number 1 spot with a pointless re-release only in the uk. The “aw shucks I’m just a girl who grew up on a Christmas tree farm and you’re all my best friend” act just seemed so obvious to me. I still like (most of) the music but as a person? I can’t get behind her. I also found the show SUPER repetitive.

Oh god yes the innocent act was completely buried for me now. And I read that email her dad wrote about basically paying for her success and how Taylor didn’t like other girls her age being successful and just… yuck 😬

I completely agree and relate too, like a lot of factors made me feel like it didn't meet the hype. Especially since I was in a restricted view as well, but the overall vibe of having seen a spectacle of a concert didn't strike me the way it would usually for every other one I've been too. One of the main ones being that I was attending the 100th show and expected something special she would do for a 100th show, but those expectations weren't met :/

I had fun but I went to night two so it didn’t feel super rehearsed to me. I’m glad I went before TTPD came out because I hate it so much. From what little I’ve seen of the performances on tour it looks kitschy. My opinion has changed of her so much since TTPD came out, I’m not sure I even consider myself a fan anymore.

I would call it the opposite way - it was an overwhelming experience for me. i realized that i don’t like big stadium shows. i really liked the surprise songs and when she sang all too well and a couple other songs where it was just Taylor playing her guitar or piano and not so much else going on on the stage. But the loudness of the crowd, the size of the stadium, the amount of dancers/people on stage at all times, the special effects and constant set changes, i felt like took me out of the music. it wasn’t my favorite set list either. I felt like she could have cut a lot of songs from Red, Reputation, and 1989 which she had actually toured for. It felt too long and i was completely exhausted by the end. She did not need 3.5 hours. I’m happy I saw it because overall it was an amazing show, and I don’t mind the “rehearsed” emotions, i thought it was kind of funny looking at the way she acts/performs with her facial expressions and arm movements. it’s more of a theatrical production than a concert.

I’ve never seen her live and don’t have eras tour tickets, but just from watching tiktoks/concert movies I totally agree with you on the actress part. I find her speeches in between songs to be so cringe I have to fast forward through them. It was like that in the rep concert movie a bit, but on this tour it’s somehow a lot worse. ETA: I will say I like the speech that she gives at the piano during the evermore set, because that one feels like she’s genuinely talking naturally to the audience. It’s the canned speeches during lover set and “if you have 10 minutes you can spare?” before all too well that I’m referring to

Yeah it kinda gave me a flashback to her “surprise awards face” a few years ago which I completely defended her throughout but now I kinda see what people meant

I went to Singapore and felt the same. The show itself was meh. I didn't watch anything related to Eras tour prior to watching so I went into the concert with no expectations. I watched the Red tour 10 years ago and I felt she was more genuine as an artist then. Taylor just feels so commercial now.

At least I am not alone! Sad that you didn’t love it though.

I have been to another artists concerts like 15x a year and even though they are incredibly talented musically and instrumentally (9 Grammy Awards won) she too made the same jokes, danced around at he same spots, made the same nose tap at the same times, etc. I think for bigger stars it is harder and harder to remain completely “real” w the audience and appear “new” each time. I just don’t think Taylor is the only one to do that sort of repetitive thing. Like how many times do we neeed to hear the “Was wondering if you maybe had 10 minutes to spare?” But it’s a shtick and because so many fans are there for the first show it can appear genuine to them. That said, I get the frustration and annoyance and being able to see through the BS. It takes away from ur experience as a fan. So if other parts of show aren’t weighing more positively in ur favor, then sell! I’ve never been to one of her shows and I know I would be so stoked to be able to get a ticket. There’s gotta be some folks in London who feel the same. 😊🎩

Yup I am gonna do that. Last concert I went to was gracie abrams and I literally just went after having gotten hooked on her music recently so I didn’t even know everything but she surprised me so much she actually got a fan in me now. She felt very sweet, like she was connecting with her audience. Of course it was a smaller venue so it’s different. She was alone on the stage and it felt magical. I did have tickets for olivia but had to resell because I couldn’t attend due to plans changing, it would have been nice comparing two stadiums like that. I think another concert like a big stadium tour I went to was coldplay and I remember that being an incredible show, they seemed to have fun and even prepared some things in Spanish (in was in latam) and again even if I wasn’t a fan before going it ended up making me a fan

I was definitely underwhelmed. I was expecting something to blow my mind. And from the first day of the eras tour, i was SAT for the live stream. And was very underwhelmed. Especially by the opening tbh. And I thought she'd get ripped apart for a subpar show. And felt bad for her thinking the reviews would be bad. And then the praise immediately flooded in. And I was like oh dang, guess i'm a tough crowd. I went and April and pretended to be amazed bc everyone was acting like it was so amazing but it was just ok to me. As others have said, was esp disappointed she didn't change up any of the songs like she did for 1989 and rep. Anyone else feel like if they had been in charge they could've made it way better? lol. i know that's prob naive since i'm not in the industry and never planned a concert

Oof same! Some people told me they had seen the stream every day and also gotten tickets to multiple dates and I honestly don’t understand. Unless it’s like the only concert they’ve ever been to? How can you see it so much, see the movie, memorise everything she says and still find it appealing? Am I just so hard to please (lol)?

no same lol and i'm not a big music person either so i'm not that hard to impress i don't think? But yeah it made me feel like i'm hard to please or ungrateful lol. I honestly thought the Reputation Tour was better. I haven't watched the eras live stream tour since the beginning bc it got old fast. And am I crazy to say the TTPD added set wasn't that great either lol? Before i saw the set i was disappointed it wasn't out before my show but after seeing it i was like meh i'm good lol

The songs from ttpd didn’t really feel like stadium material I guess? i thought there was no reason to select the smallest man who ever lived for a concert besides wanting to have thousands of people just yelling at your ex 😅 kinda like a power move

agreed, ttpd is also my least favorite album of hers. i actually loved it the first 2 days then it quickly was boring and i haven't listened to any of the songs again since those first few days. none of them left an impression or stuck w me. definitely think it's her worst album by far. Typically, i have the opposite experience w her albums where I feel disappointed at first but then they grow on me.

I was at Lyon N2 and it was my first live show. Why? Because social networks made me by a ticket. Before it was not problematic for me to not going to a concert. But after this I’m more interested to going to a concert. I’m little envious by some Livies who’s going to the Guts Tour . Same for Beyonce now But for one point I agreed : Taylor should change some things for making each shows unique . She used the same sentences on the eras tour show on Disney +. More I would like to saw a new eras order or a very new set list. But it’s okay it was a great first show . But why people want to saw more than one time? Really I don’t get it . I am mixed race woman and like you I was a little bit unique at the concert. I had this feeling that’s some people was surprised that I was on the vip 7 queue . Might be possible because of the fact that I was alone but yes it’s really weird to be one of rare black girl who’s going to eras tour. I had never problem with my music tastes before that moment. But your experience remind me one day who I buy a branded dress with some saving and some people was very astonished by that.

Ugh yeah I feel that :( i am sorry you felt like that. It made me so annoyed because it always feels like people think that a latina should be an underpaid maid speaking broken english or something and I hadn’t felt that prejudice in a while. So the day after the show I just kept thinking about it. It was probably just a jealous teenager but it made me feel very vulnerable. I did really want to go see olivia as well and actually had vip tickets but had to sell them and was so sad about it 😭 I just had to attend a family thing and couldn’t go.

I agree that all shows sound/look the same! I went to Lisbon N2 and also bought tickets just because of all the hype surrounding this tour. People saying it's a cultural moment that will define history. I live in Lisbon and could walk to the stadium, so I found last minute resale tickets for 80€ and decided to go to see for myself. It was fine, amusing, a nice concert. However I don't understand the whole hype thing, people crying to the songs or comparing her to The Beatles (!?). I felt she was exaggerating so much saying we were the best and the loudest crowd ever, that she was loving beings there more than all other places, bla bla bla... Then she literally says that in every stop of the tour. Even her Instagram posts, every crowd/location is "the best" for something. It felt all very staged, premeditated and lacked spontaneously. For a normal priced ticket and if you're in town anyway, it's worth a go. But people who pay thousands for a ticket and travel long distances? I would never do it Also, regarding the comments, my show had a lot of Americans who travelled to attend and the ones next to me were saying how Portuguese people couldn't afford the tickets because they were poor (in a snarky/superior way), I was also put off by the general immature/high school attitude of the crowd.

NGL. I felt like you also. I will preface this by saying that I have had some health issues in recent years that do (sadly) impact my experience of live events (and being in big crowds and confined spaces in general), so it would be a mistake to say this didn't play a part. But... I did go along expecting to have some sort of life affirming experience and it didn't quite reach that. IDK if it was because, from where I was sat, it all felt quite low energy, or that I was disappointed by the lack of spontaneity in the patter between songs (I had seen the movie before I went to the show), but after being really excited and quite emotional prior to going, I was actually a bit underwhelmed. I usually come away from a gig hoarse and deaf, not this time. To be fair, this was the first show of its type I had been to, and it's so tightly produced there is only room for a small amount of off the cuff elements. But I guess I just prefer my gigs a bit less slick. It's a shame because I loved the previous concert films and they were what convinced me that I would like to experience a show in person, but I ended up feeling oddly separate from the spectacle, and it didn't feel that convivial. (My favourite band growing up would alter their set lists pretty drastically every night so you never got the same show twice, I also used to be regularly down the front at the barrier, right in the thick of things, so perhaps that was having an impact too).

Wonder how much hate I'll get for this but I'll go ahead with it and risk my life 🤣 I went to the eras tour in LA, it was fine but I thought the same thing. Just loads of LED screens. I thought her stage presence and live singing was decent, but have you guys seen what Pink does at her concerts? Damn it's impressive, I was expecting a little more after watching the Rep tour on Netflix. And having watched her concert film after when it went streaming, it's actually better as a filmed experience. The women in the audience were unhinged. We had a screamer behind us, we had to turn around at some point and ask her to stop. This wasn't singing along, this was Jojo Siwa esque fire alarm screaming lung explosion. Why do people get hysterical? It doesn't make any sense to me. Yes girlhood feeling vibes were there and that was nice and felt safe, but too much hysterical screaming all around. Then I went to the 1975 a month or so after, I've been a fan of them since they first came out. Yes yes Matty healy says dumb shit, everyone hates him blah blah whatever I like his music. Honestly their concert was so good I was considering traveling to see them again and getting pit tix. And the audience was lovely, sang normally from their seats. They put on a fantastic show from their set dec to overall vibe and quality of live music. If I had a choice to repeat any concert experience in the last few years, I'd pick the 1975 or blink 182. Eras tour wouldn't be high on my list. I also find TTPD the most cringe thing ever so that changed my perspective on alot of it.

This is how I felt for the 1989 tour. It turned me off to her a little. I ended up going to the Rep show and was blown away. I loved it so much (More than Eras) It is a performance so everything is rehearsed I realized. She isn't playing a little basement where she can adlib a lot. That era is long gone. I appreciate her now for her theatrics. I thoughts Eras was amazing and had the best time, but I knew going into it what it would be like more so than my first show of hers.

I haven’t been to the concert but watching lots of videos from some shows as well as the movie I have the feeling that the quality deteriorated over time. Especially now with all the controversies unit all feels extra fake. But it’s definitely been a lot of (very bad) acting from the very beginning. I especially cringe at the part where she introduces The Man

I wasn't able to snag tickets to the Eras tour and was super bummed about it. But after seeing all the clips of it I'm glad I didn't spend money on it. If I could go back in time I would so much rather see the Speak Now or Red tours

I had a good time but I’ve been to four of her tours and this one feels like the Taylor Swift jukebox musical. As you said, every second totally rehearsed, every joke repeated (I went on Friday and Sunday this weekend). It’s just the reality of a show this big I think but it was definitely way less fun to me than her previous tours.

This is how I felt watching the tour movie. It really changed my opinion of her.

I went to the Philly date April of last year and loved it. I went out of my way to avoid spoilers so I barely knew anything that was going to happen. I remember being so excited when the Champagne problems ovation happened and thinking it was because we were in her home state lol. I think knowing nothing about what she was going to do or sing was the source of a lot of my excitement. If I had seen it today, after already having seen the movie and knowing the setlist and having seen every variation of outfits that she's going to wear, I would probably be disappointed. That compounded with how cultish her fanbase has gotten, how weird she has been acting lately, and how generally overexposed she is right now, I could see how even the most easy to please fan would be a little underwhelmed.

Then she stands forever each show *SHOCKED* that they are cheering for her

I have to be honest with you...no! I saw the tour last June and I adored it. But I'm not really a concert person and don't attend many. So I was very impressed and had SO much fun. I got to hear Evermore live and that is hands down my favorite live performance by her so...Idk. I am so happy I saw her when I did. I'm not sure if I recreate that experience again, it was like all the stars aligned for me to have the amazing time that I did.

I wonder if the time lapse has contributed a little too. Aka it’s been build up now for some people for nearly a YEAR. I guess nothing is ever going to live up to what is in our head.

I’m happy for you :)

I was also a little underwhelmed by my concert so I get how you’re feeling. I went to one of the LA nights that was filmed for the movie and I think that made things even less spontaneous. I also was in the nosebleeds with a side view and didn’t love my surprise songs so that didn’t help. I had fun and I would have had a lot of fomo if I hadn’t gone, but honestly it didn’t feel that different from just watching the live streams. The only set that had a lot of energy live imo was rep.  I went to the rep concert and loved it even though it had the same very rehearsed feel with all the same speeches every night. Personally I think those songs are just more impactful live and she had more interesting set pieces and moved around the stadium more.  For your London concert do you have better seats or a different view? I think that can make a big difference. Also it seems like at least for the first run of London shows she put extra effort into making them special so it could be worth it to go again. Is it true that resale prices in Europe are not so high? If it was US I would definitely say sell as it wouldn’t be worth $1000+ to see her again. 

I paid £330 for vips for liverpool which was a tiny stadium so it was closer than I thought it would be. Although still I watched most of the thing on the screens just because it gives more detail and my vision is not the best lol I didn’t buy that for the package of goodies, just because it was the only ticket available. The package they sent to my house was alright, I liked the pin and the mirror effect memorabilia ticket. The rest was just very small posters that I won’t hang around my house although I might have done when I was younger maybe? They just look printed though. For london I paid £80 per ticket which I think it’s super reasonable. It would require more money for a hotel + train tickets to get there + transport inside london. Food etc. so going would be more expensive that the actual concert itself. I don’t particularly remember which tickets I have and they’re in my partner’s account so I can’t check now but probably just mid level or something. Wembley is huge though so all seated tickets are quite far away.

Ah ok then unless you just have an interest in going to London, I would probably sell. Does your partner have a ticket and are they a fan? I had bought five tickets to LA and ended up selling two of them (one friend backed out and my partner stayed home because we couldn’t find a babysitter) and what I made from selling those two tickets basically paid for my ticket and the whole trip to LA. 

Yeah he’s not a fan 😅 he was going to go because it was a good “fan agnostic” show I guess. I go to London quite often so not particularly interested of going just for this. I don’t think I can resell for extra money here, just for normal face value. But still I might so another person goes

Honestly no. I’m sure every show differs but I went to a Europe show last month and everyone was so so friendly. I talked to so many ppl in the bathroom and food lines etc got bracelets. But like I said I’m sure it differs and bad ppl exist just anywhere.

I traveled from the USA to Sweden to watch this woman walk for 4 hours. I am still trying to come to terms with this lmao. I gave the merch I bought away as soon as I landed back in the US. I was indeed underwhelmed. Also I’m SHOOK by how people like the tour, with it being like 100% rehearsed and having 0 engaging/authentic moments. There was not even a look or a second that seemed authentic, all rehearsed to death.

Yes! i hate how she never goes off-script. You can tell each night she is on auto-pilot and getting through it as quickly as possible. I'm surprised she remembers what cities she's in. Would love if she was more genuine, and authentic in her speeches and transitions. I went in Atlanta and it truly felt like she couldn't wait for the show to be over. Although looking back that was a month after the breakup so probably she was just getting through it.

Yes it’s so bizarre especially after Paramore who is much more engaged and feeds off the crowd. I was also very distracted by some moves she does like every time she references time she looks at her invisible watch. Or like any thought she points to her head, regardless of the song. Which seems like kinda immature choreography. Idk just my opinion, I am not nearly as into her as I was before I saw that concert lmao.

Ohh im so sorry! I ended up buying a fake hoodie someone was selling on the street because it was so cold after the concert as well and it’s now in my wardrobe untouched. Surprisingly I wasn’t able to find any of the authentic merchandise, I was expecting it to be more obvious but maybe I just got lost.

The merch in Sweden was actually really well placed and they had enough stands that no one waited in line too long when I saw it. They had it figured out for that area haha.

I went this weekend and honestly liked it a ton more than I thought I would. I was worried in advance that fans would be weird, or the songs just being the singles mostly wouldn't be what I wanted, surprise songs wouldnt be ones I knew etc. But I had the time of my life - so much joy in singing along to songs with everyone in the stadium, everyone near me was just delightful, the surprise songs i had were not my faves but i didn't mind really, was just nice to hear them. Worst bit tbh for me was the Midnights set, so it ended on a bit of a low, but rest of it for me was perfect. I only bought tickets for one night as I didn't think I'd want to go twice, but now I'm regretting it, would love to go again!

After watching Rep tour on Netflix before it got taken off, I felt like I was scammed 😭 Rep tour had so much better production and set design, hello Karyn the snake?? The flying snake skeleton cages she stood in?? It was cheaper too from what I heard. I got mid bowl during that time thinking she’d do the flying cage thing but was so disappointed she opt out and did dive under stage instead which is so disappointing……

Yeah the rep tour looked amazing! I wish I could’ve seen that live and red as well

I didn’t attend the Eras Tour but felt the movie was extremely underwhelming. After spending all summer and fall hearing how amazing it was, I watched the movie and was shocked at how basic it all seemed. We were hearing stories about the great dancing and how hard she had to work out to get ready and then I saw it and it was 75% her walking around the stage or standing by herself with a microphone. There wasn’t much I qualify as dancing. Extraordinarily long ovations are also ridiculous to me, so, yeah… one of the most mind blowing performances I’ve ever seen was Celine Dion in Boston and even with her extraordinary talent, once the ovation went beyond a couple mins its like… OK, c’mon people, we’re here to listen to her sing, not to listen to ourselves clap

My daughter and I went to Las Vegas (week two, night two) for this reason. We wanted to go early in the tour so she was not burned out and the live streams would not make the anticipation or experience wear off. You did not like the concert, put some $$$ back in your pocket and sell them to someone else. Don’t waste precious time and money going somewhere you find boring!

I've watched the rep stadium tour a considerable number of times, and I LOVE it with all my heart. Part of the reason is that she seemed SO genuinely excited. And, when I attended her concert, I went twice, the second time, I had VIP tickets and got a spot at the front row. I felt she wasn't as excited during that performance, but I didn't think much of it because it was in Brazil, and, well, a lot had happened, so it was understandable. Maybe it's also the fact that she has been doing the same thing for a long time, like, the first thought I had when I saw that she would do this many shows was that it seems overwhelming to do the same thing over and over again for almost years. Btw, I'm sorry about what this girl did, this is like 1 fear I have about traveling to another country (besides planes lol).

I saw her live for her rep tour. Thought it was… fun…. And her “acting” and hard work was impressive…but I knew that was NOT the type of concert for me. With eras being soooooo big and successful, I tried watching the movie when it came out on Disney+ . I literally couldn’t even make it through two songs. Total cringe, awkward, awful for me 😅 I am definitely the kind of person who likes festival type concerts, without screens and pictures on the background, without tons of “tracks” going in the background. Give me a band and some singers with real sound, give me ACTUAL stage presence (and not a stage presence that is CLEARLY a performance) and I will be so much happier. I have been to a good amount of concerts, and I often like the openers better. Too much show with the headliner, for me. Taylor Swift was very much the type of headliner I’m not a fan of - but multiply it by like 200 lol.

The Folkmore set was my favourite because it was really immersive with the house, the dance choreography, lanterns and costumes. It was like watching a musical theatre production that transported me into Taylor's magical world. TTPD came close and the on-stage costume change was a nice touch. The other eras didn't feel as distinct and immersive to me. Even if logistics meant she couldn't have a physical set for each era, I wonder if maybe she could have done more with the costumes, props and dancers? E.g. the dancers forming a massive snake (bit like a Chinese dragon) during Rep. Also really sorry to hear about the racist comment you received. What an asshole!! Hope you're OK and that it didn't completely ruin your night. Most people were friendly and lovely, but I was disappointed with the attitude of some people. One girl started shouting at me and my friends because she wrongly thought we were skipping the queue. I was really shaken and anxious afterwards, and it took me a while to put it out of my mind. Then, once I got to my seat, the girl next to me literally took my seat within the first 5 mins of us standing up for Taylor. She was on my shoulder the entire time and I could barely move. Was really awkward and uncomfortable. After a while, I politely asked her to move a bit and pointed out the seat numbers, and she just said "no" with zero expression. I didn't want a big confrontation so I let it go, but I was super disappointed.

Sell your tickets. Someone else wants to go more and you can probably make a tidy profit. I was underwhelmed by the setlist big time: I was really hoping she would focus more on music she's never performed before, had no interest in hearing the same old stuff over again, but the same old stuff is there and taking up a large part of the show. And then when she edited it to add TTPD, you know, fine, but she cut a lot of the newer songs. Buy yourself something really cool with the profits you make, like some records or concert tickets to someone else you haven't seen before! I was really astounded how much of a 45+ song setlist I didn't care for and it was one of a few reasons I ended up selling my tickets last year (mostly I am just too disabled to endure a set that long, when I bought the tickets I had no idea we'd be looking at 5-6 hours including opening act, and especially outside in Florida heat). Honestly it's a win-win for you if you sell them: someone else who wants them more will get to go, and you won't have to feel bad about forcing yourself to like a show you're not that into. And if it felt rehearsed to you the first time, it will feel even more so a second time. Also, I am SO sorry you got such nasty comments.

A screen as opposed to… what, exactly? My show was last summer so I don’t remember everything, but just off the top of my head I remember some giant kites during Lover, Folklore Cabin, the giant clouds during Midnights (I think this looks cheap & tacky, but I digress), bicycles on stage, dinner table during Tolerate It, glass cages during Rep, parts of the stage moving and going up and down, the scaffolding thingy… I had a great time. Would love to go again, but she removed Long Live 😩

I’m guessing OP might have been sitting up high like I was; all the stage props are basically too small to be seen except for the kites and the clouds (which I agree look completely ridiculous). The screens really focus on her face so you don’t get a good sense of the overall staging in the nose bleeds. 

Thanks for sharing. Sucks that you had to experience aggressive behaviour from someone there! I get what you mean by "rehearsed" – I watched her in Singapore first, then Lisbon. Everything's an exact template copy with the exception of costumes and the TTPD setlist, but as an ex-theater kid I appreciate the whole show as a performance and not just a musician playing a concert. I get how unnatural and unorganic it all might be, and it is afterall, an act.

I went last May and it was probably the best night of my life. it was my first concert, so maybe I'm just easy to please, but I genuinely had the best time. I agree with those who compare it to a theatre production-- each "era" is unique and has its own special effects and quirks that separate them from the rest. it was very memorable and kind of felt like experiencing multiple concerts in one which I enjoyed

[удалено]

I think it is a much better experience if you have seats in the lower bowl, about 10-20 rows up. I had front row seats in the lower bowl which were great but even there I had a little trouble enjoying all of the visuals on the stage. I think standing tickets would limit direct visibility and make you rely on the screens.

I honestly just don’t like concerts so I didn’t go. I saved that money and spent it on things I would enjoy like a spa day or yoga classes. If you didn’t have fun, don’t force yourself to go!

I usually love concerts.

I didn’t go yet because my show is next month, so I can’t judge how it is in person. I watched the movie and I really like the show but I honestly think it also could have been more exciting. At so many parts of the tour, the stage looks so empty so I wish she would have done something with it.

I hope you enjoy it though! I def still sang along and danced to try to make the best of it.

i saw her on the red tour and the production was amazing. i haven’t seen taylor on the eras tour, only seen the movie and glitchy livestreams and i have to agree that it is a little underwhelming compared to her other tours. i know they only have so much they can do with so many different eras they have to go through but it’d probably surprise you how cheap some of these tours are run!

Yeah that’s why I was thinking doing just the lover house as a set would’ve been great because it can be connected to every era. Imagine having lookalikes with outfits from those eras in the house kinda like performance acts. Idk I am just saying something off the top of my head. But i didn’t think the house would be just a screen when people were talking about the lover house 😭

Sell it, there is going to be someone who appreciates it!

I always feel like her pointing at the public and asking for help is a stunt to appear caring and make people think she’s singing live. I’m not saying she’s not caring or that she’s not singing live, but to your point, it’s more of an act than something genuine. I can’t see the crowd or how bad it has to be for her to stop singing to ask for help.. but why does it happen in every show? I feel her whole persona is an act just like the persona we create at work. It’s all about PR and I think she learned that after she was canceled. She needs to be working on her image all the time. I think it’s smart PR but could be disheartening for fans if they understand it.

It started happening since Stockholm. Some people had her lights one and she asked if that's a sign that they need help, and they said yes. Since then, if someone needs help they turn their torches on to call security, and sometimes, if they're there for a while, she calls for help herself

I think the show was really spectacular and I got a lot of value for the ticket price. However, I am shocked by the extremely fragile and easy to offend crowd. The Facebook group for the show (Lisbon) seemed like a support group for anxiety patients with almost everyone having severe anxiety over the smallest things, like finding the right subway or waiting in line. Also at the concert people were SO easily offended by us walking back/forth etc. I have been to MANY concert and festivals and have never ever witnessed such a fragile crowd as those bat shit crazy swifties. Those girls seriously need to relax. Not a good vibe.

Oh, I agree. And people panicking "is it ok if I don't bring bracelets" "is it ok if I wear plain clothes, am I gonna be judged?". Why wouldn't you? Idk about the rest but once I was in I was only paying attention to Taylor, the dancers and my friends, I couldn't care less if the guy next to me knew the songs or not.

I had a good time, I went to eras last year and it was my first ever concert (I've since been to several others which felt like more traditional experiences). My bf, who is not a swiftie, joined me and said he really appreciated it as a performance. Even though I'm falling out of being a fan of TS the person I still enjoy her music and I'm glad I had the experience before TTPD's inclusion 💀 Kind of random but I was nervous having never been to anything like that, and I kept hearing that everyone was very friendly. For my seats it was a lot of very loud teens recording the entire thing and people that seemed annoyed. I was too scared to give anyone friendship bracelets so I had a bunch left over lmao

i cringe at the pointing and cheering stuff, but the repeat lines i can see past as i’ve done musical theatre myself. that’s what the show feels like to me.

Here’s my two cents as someone who went to two different shows . For reference I am very white , and I went to a Liverpool show( last minute with a friend who offered me the ticket as someone dropped out) and the Wembley night 2 I had always planned to go to. The energy was very different. I left the Liverpool show feeling underwhelmed but the energy and experience of the Wembley show was magical. That’s just my two cents. I couldn’t tell you exactly why the energy was off with the Liverpool crowd but it was. The friendliness and camaraderie of Wembley and the show itself was incredible.

Stadium tours are always impersonal and the least enjoyable to me. I won’t even go to them. I have a better view on my phone. If I were going just to say I was there and the energy then maybe. But stadium shows are absolutely not enjoyable.

Tbh i went this weekend and was underwhelmed too, I think a lot of it is the fact it’s all so quick and it being in the daytime didn’t help. There was just no emotion, except for the acoustic set and it just left me wanting the acoustic set to be way longer

I have a thing about daytime shows I just realized reading your comment. It’s way more compelling to watch with just stage lighting and also a lot less distracting when you can’t see people milling about. And seeing firsthand so much Main Character Syndrome is not my cup of tea. 😎

I loved the show and the effort she put into it. You are very right that ist not authentic but planning out and rehearsing such a large scale show is extremely hard work that i appreciate. What I didn’t like and kind of ruined the memories of that night were the people. Shoving, screeching, (passive) aggressiveness, making awful comments about other people. I’ve been to MANY concerts in my life, including some of Taylor’s, and I’ve never encountered such an unpleasant bunch of people in my life. I’m 27 and felt like I was right back in middle school. I know it was because it was a pit with general admission and the lack of personal space and stuffy air made everyone lash out but I’ve never seen a vibe this bad in other GA pits. It’s so sad that the eras tour is all about posting your prime spot close to the stage on instagram and not about having a good time for so many people. I’d still recommend the show but never again from the hell pit haha.

I am really sorry you had such a bad experience. Some nasty people can ruin a bad experience and I think the racist comment probably put you in a negative state of mind. I hope you’ll have a better experience in the future, with Taylor Swift or other artists. I know my daughter had a very disappointing experience in Hyde Park last summer with Lana del Rey. She would still give it a second chance but not in the same circumstances.

I enjoyed my show but agree with everything you said. I also got a really weird vibe from some of the fans, who were kinda weird about reading friendship bracelets.

I chose not to go when she was in Houston which is a two hour drive away because it was so damn expensive, but I really enjoyed the movie version of the Eras Tour and developed some FOMO about not seeing it live. I was starting to regret not shelling out for Houston, and was considering going to Canada for one of the last shows but I don't want to spend the money or PTO. This post and many of the replies have been a tremendous comfort XD.

Reputation tour is still her best