(Taylor Swift performing at the Eras Tour, image by Western Sydney University student Harmony Spencer, 2024)
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour isn’t just a concert – it’s a cultural phenomenon. From outfits that shimmered like fireworks, to emotional singalongs and dancing, fans travelled around the world to experience The Eras Tour magic. Each show brought feelings of nostalgia and excitement as Swift journeyed through her musical career in front of millions of fans around the world.
W’SUP News asked Western Sydney University students about their thoughts, feelings and experiences on The Era’s Tour. These are some of their replies:
“The tour was an experience that brought me and my online friend together and gave us an opportunity to meet.” – Harmony Spencer
“It meant healing a lot of old wounds, it meant experiencing girlhood unapologetically.” – Lauren McGregor
When asked about friendship bracelets, the students replied:
“I made some many bracelets, it was so much fun making them with my friend, our friendship grew closer during the tour.” – Lauren McGregor
“We only made 4 as we ran out of time but the minute we entered I went to get a drink and immediately swapped and it started from there. It was definitely an action from raving culture that brought fans together.” – Harmony Spencer
W’SUP News asked about the importance of Swift’s music growing up:
“Taylor swift was a huge part of music growing up. I remember listening to it on my mum’s iPod dancing around.” – Harmony Spencer
“She was my first favourite singer. But then I got bullied for liking her music, so I pretended I didn’t. But in the end, I guess I taught myself to not care about other people’s perceptions of me.” – Bea Birett or ‘BEA’
These responses show that for many Western students, Taylor Swift was a significant figure growing up. It also shows how many people bonded with their friends and loved ones throughout the tour.
A TikTok video posted by the University (@westernsydneyu) shows students catching shuttle buses to and from the tour. The University’s response indicated the tour’s scale and cultural impact. Students were also asked about the most memorable experience in the tour:
“Honestly, not only was I amazed at Taylor’s performance. I was stunned my Sabrina Carpenter; I got to learn her strength as a performer especially when she sang Hopelessly devoted.” – Harmony Spencer
“Having Taylor bring out Sabrina [Carpenter] during our surprise songs session!” – Lauren McGregor
A remarkable aspect of The Eras Tour is the bond it strengthened between fans, commonly known as ‘Swifties.’ Concertgoers (and even fans who didn’t attend the event) exchanged handmade friendship bracelets representing the colours of certain albums, with beaded lyrics or song names. This tradition was inspired by the lyric ‘so, make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it’ from Swift’s song You’re on Your Own, Kid. These friendship bracelets created a global network between Swfities, with Taylor Swift herself jumping on the trend and exchanging friendship bracelets with eager fans.
A Billion Dollar Success Story
The Eras Tour sold out stadiums across the globe. Even with Swift’s team adding extra shows, the tour was unable to keep up with the unprecedented demand, with many fans unable to secure tickets. Swift’s sixth concert tour has become one of the highest-grossing tours in history and becoming the first tour to surpass the billion-dollar revenue mark.
More Than Just a Concert
The Eras Tour represents more than just a concert – and certainly more than just music. The Eras Tour is an emotional and moving experience, a place where fans can feel safe, loved and accepted. This tour is a celebration of love, artistry, resilience and girlhood. Taylor Swift has curated an experience for fans to feel these things through surprise songs, her heartfelt speeches full of gratitude and being in a stadium full of like-minded individuals who can all connect over Swift’s remarkable artistry. She has made The Eras Tour experience feel personal to every single fan.
(Photo by BEA of Sabrina Carpenter performing at the Era’s Tour, 2024)
Student testimony show just how much of an impact Swift has on young people, especially when $2 billion was generated from ticket sales alone.
Even though The Eras Tour concluded in 2024, Taylor Swift will be remembered for creating a space where music unites people. She has brought fans together through her artistry, new friendships have been formed through her tour and old ones reconnected. Although the 22 hat has been given to the final recipient, and the last surprise song has been sung; one thing is certain: the magic of The Eras Tour will be remembered for many years to come.
