An Epoch of Eras
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind this article contains spoilers about the Eras tour.
Maybe it’s just me, but it appears that any member of the Gen Z or Millenial population can recognize Taylor Swift. They may even be able to jam to the “You Belong With Me” chorus, or perhaps even recall all the outfits she rocked since the Fearless tour. As many may know, this March, the hit singer-songwriter began the Eras tour: imaginative concert performances featuring bops from all ten albums. To no surprise, she and her team bedazzled the crowd with her attire: the sequined dresses that can be spotted miles away to the Easter egg references laced throughout the show.
Alas, it is beyond impossible to encapsulate the enthrallment and glamor of the tour, but here is a snippet recap of all things Eras.
Lover Era
Taylor decided to open her long-awaited and highly-anticipated performance with the endearing Lover album. Whether it be due to the fact that this was her first independently-owned album or that this was the tour that got canceled due to the Covid pandemic, Taylor set the stage in tribute for a whirlwind production. The set and fits for this opening era depicted whimsical cotton candy hues paired with her signature dose of sequins.
Fearless Era
Fans were immersed in a time-traveling experience as Taylor jammed to Roberto Cavalli dress, a well-acclaimed Italian fashion designer known for exotic prints. An adornment that was quite reminiscent of her sparkly fringe dress seen back in 2009 when she went on tour for Fearless, but the shimmering silver guitar does nothing but take this look to another level.
Evermore Era
Just as the name implies, the set, the visionary, and of course the costumes appeal to the woodsy mythical aesthetic. Whilst playing on a moss-covered piano, Swift topped it off with a sunset orange maxi dress, matching the cozy orange sweater worn on the album cover.
Reputation Era
During this thrilling glimpse of her career, Tay sported a captivating one-legged jumpsuit made by no other than Roberto Cavalli. Taylor kept the conniving serpent aesthetic alive, a look that fans saw during the Look What You Made Me Do music video.
Speak Now Era
It’s well-known to many Swiftie fans that Taylor is quite fond of her lucky number 13, so it is no surprise that the one track she plays from this album is well, her 13th song, Enchanted. While many Swifties are quite curious as to why there is only one Speak Now song (myself included), much of the media deduces that this is a premonition of Speak Now being rereleased as “Taylor’s version”. Beyond that, our talented artist leaves us with a mystery that will hopefully be cracked soon: at one point of the concert, a different Taylor from various eras each appear to be trapped in a clear box. While all of them are set free, the version of Taylor from Speak Now remained trapped inside. Seems like a screaming message that Speak Now will be released again?…only time will solve this mystery.
Red Era
In the midst of this performance, it feels that everything is rosy red and just all too well (pun most definitely intended)! We’re back in Fall 2012…black fedoras and crimson pouts. We saw a change of pace from flamboyant gowns and instead get a call-back to the 22 music video; on opening night she wore a t-shirt saying “Not A Lot Going On At The Moment”. Each night the text has appeared to change, and fans quickly had a hunch that she may be decoding a secret message throughout the tour.
Folklore Era
Despite the singer’s maximalist glimmering aesthetic of the night, Folklore most definitely outshines it all, as this album had the most songs played over any other album. Cottagecore and whimsical flowy dresses embellished this portion of the night. At one point in the night, she even displayed an angelic floor-length cream dress, making some skeptical Swifties wonder if the rumor of her once being secretly married to Joe Alwyn was true.
1989 Era
To tastefully pay homage to this transition from country music to pop, Taylor dons an emerald green two-piece set. Throughout different nights of this tour, she wore matching sets of various colors, paying ode to the silver shimmering fringe set from the 2014 MTV Music Awards in which the iconic artist first introduced the album.
Midnights Era
Tay made sure to complete her night with an exceptionally memorable hurrah. She left fans in awe with a glimmering Oscar de la Renta bodysuit packed with thousands of crystals and beads. From mind-boggling optical illusions, to witty album transitions, to catchy dance moves, it is safe to say that she left every fan starstruck and bedazzled, stuck in a “lavender haze”.
All in all, the Midnights artist transports her millions of fans in a whirlwind of epochs, as each portion of the night is reminiscent of a different era of her career. From heart-tugging nostalgia, to disbelief over her optical illusions on stage, this ever-changing icon will never go out of style.
Written by Hannah Toy, Graphic Design: Lynn Nie, Social Media: Sofia Felker