On December 8th, 2024 in Vancouver, Canada, the most profitable musical concert in history came to an end. The Eras Tour performed by Taylor Swift brought in over $2 Billion dollars by its end. I have never traveled for a concert or event before The Eras Tour. Needless to say, was an experience I’ll never forget.
My husband and I began our journey in New York, flying from JFK to Seattle. On a cold and early December morning, we hustled into the airport for relief from the frigid temperature and quickly passed through security (thank you TSA Precheck). Since we had time to kill, we went to the American Express Centurion Lounge. My husband was allowed a free guest, so we took full advantage. It was still too early in the morning, and no hot breakfast was served yet. We stuck to pasties and hot tea. By the time there was hot breakfast, it was our time to begin boarding. At the gate, you can sense the excitement in the air. We saw moms and daughters wearing Taylor Swift shirts, friendship bracelets and chattering with excitement over the concert. We flew Delta to Seattle. They provided snacks as well as in flight entertainment, including live TV. Once in Seattle – Tacoma International Airport, we decided to locate our gate for our flight to Vancouver first (to make sure it exists). That gate was buzzing with all things Taylor Swift as expected. If you’re going to Vancouver that weekend you must be going to see her concert, right? We overheard Swifties who attended her concert about 3-4 times, one claiming they attended her concert a whopping 7 times, sometimes dropping $4k on her floor seat tickets! I was in silent disbelief which could only be conveyed to my husband my facial expression. Thankfully our layover was short and we were soon on our much smaller plane to Vancouver. The attendants were super funny making concert references in their announcements stating they would get us there “swiftly” (it was funnier in the moment). They sure did get us there swiftly, because less than an hour later we were coming in for landing.
Vancouver was electrified with Taylor Swift in town. As a New York native, I had never seen a city gather around one event, one person, the way this city gathered around Taylor Swift and The Eras Tour. Train stations had friendship bracelet themed stops, hotels had Taylor Swift themed drinks, photo props, and concert bags for sale, the city had the title of some of her biggest hits scattered throughout the city and people lined up for pictures with them. It seemed as if every single person was there for the same reason. Everyone, everything, everywhere went all in on The Eras Tour.
Vancouver was electrified with Taylor Swift in town. As a New York native, I had never seen a city gather around one event, one person, the way this city gathered around Taylor Swift and The Eras Tour. Train stations had friendship bracelet themed stops, hotels had Taylor Swift themed drinks, photo props, and concert bags for sale, the city had the title of some of her biggest hits scattered throughout the city and people lined up for pictures with them. It seemed as if every single person was there for the same reason. Everyone, everything, everywhere went all in on The Eras Tour.
Taylor Swift performing Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince, December 8th 2024 in Vancouver, Canada.
I was particularly excited about her1989 Era. This album brings me back to when I was about a sophomore in college, trying to figure out what to do with my life. So I had to reflect on how far I have come since then. Particularly her song Style and Shake it Off, my mom’s favorite song.
Did I mention the crowd sang Happy Birthday? Her birthday was just a few days away, and the half the crowd sang Happy Birthday to her. I wish I had a better video of it but I do not. In the moment I was just looking around at the crowd in complete awe at its roar, enthusiasm, and shear size.
She of course gave the crowd some favorite moments such as having one of her backup dancers say “for the last time NO!” during We Are Never Getting Back Together. Incorporating the crowd yelling “Let’s go bitch” during Reputation. And gave another little girl her coveted hat during 22.
As someone who is a fan of her music but hasn’t followed her closely as of recently, I wasn’t sure that I believed the hype of the concert. After attending I can truly say I was in awe of her professionalism, her live singing for 3 hours, her swift outfit changes (see what I did there?), and her amazing backup singers and dancers. The fans also made this all possible with their dedication and enthusiasm.
More importantly this made me reflect. Just days after her last show of The Eras Tour, Taylor Swift returned to NYC and celebrated her 35th birthday. As a female who is also coming up on her 30s, I was proud. Taylor Swift showed us that we don’t peak in our 20s. We never know what lies ahead for us and we never know when the best is yet to come. Recently it seems that people have been seeing 30 as “old” and something to fear. Seeing Taylor Swift, a 35-year-old woman, being in the most popular and lucrative phase of her career, reminded me that getting older is not something to fear, but something to embrace. We are ever growing and evolving beings and can always become better versions of ourselves as time goes on. She reminded me to remain “Fearless” and embrace the next chapter of my life. And I hope my realization makes you feel the same as well.