Released in theaters on Oct. 13, the film gives students a chance to see the pop superstar perform her biggest tour yet
Taylor Swift announced she would be embarking on “The Eras Tour” in November of last year. Ticket presales for the much-anticipated tour quickly descended into chaos as record numbers of people attempted to buy tickets. The frenzy left many disappointed fans without tickets, and because the tour had such a high demand, resale prices averaged nearly $4,000.
Luckily for Swifties, Taylor Swift always has a plan.
Swift announced a filmed version of the tour on Aug. 31, shortly after the conclusion of the first part of the tour. The film, titled “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” hit the silver screen on Oct. 13. The film promised to bring the global phenomenon to theaters worldwide, giving audiences an up close, onstage view of Swift and her background dancers.
Whether you’re a seasoned Swiftie or a casual listener, “The Eras Tour” film brought a record-breaking concert tour to a broader audience. Now, people can experience the magic of the tour without having to commit to astronomical ticket prices, three or more hours in a stadium and elaborate costumes bejeweled with glitter, sequins and colors.
For MU students, the film was an exciting new way to see the concert up close.
“It was cool to see it from that perspective because you can see everything closer — [you can] see the costumes better and the choreography,” freshman Rachel Schaefer said. “You couldn’t see that exactly if you were further away at the concert.”
Whether or not fans were able to see the tour, the film gave everyone the opportunity to “Shake It Off” with other Swifties.
“It’s an opportunity for people to get to see the tour where they live without having to worry about travel if they weren’t able to get a ticket, or for people who saw the tour and loved it to get to experience it all over again,” doctoral student Maile Newberry-Wortham said.
At most screenings, Swiftie fever filled the movie theater. Audience members purchased themed popcorn buckets and cups. Friendship bracelets were traded and Swift-themed outfits were everywhere, from tour merch to Travis Kelce jerseys — a homage to her rumored current boyfriend. People screamed their hearts out to “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor’s Version)” and danced to “Lavender Haze.”
“There were groups of people standing and dancing,” freshman Piper Dickson said. “We were all still shouting along, but it was more chill, which honestly I enjoy because sometimes concerts can be a lot.”
For Columbia Swifties, the movie was a chance to celebrate a shared love of Swift’s music.
“[Swift] kind of feels like an older sister, like I grew up with her,” Dickson said. “When I was little, she was writing songs about idyllic love … it’s kind of like having someone to look up to.”
For many fans, their love of all things Swift dates back to the beginning of her career in 2005. Still, the Swiftie community is constantly expanding and the movie provides another opportunity for people to discover her music.
“I’ve loved her since the first time I heard her on the radio in like 2005 or 2006,” Newberry-Wortham said. “I’ve just always loved her. And I loved ‘The Eras Tour’ so much that we managed to miraculously get to go twice, which was really awesome. And now we just want to see it again, because it was the best concert I’ve ever seen.”
After 17 years in the music industry, Swift is still able to make her oldest hits feel fresh. As Swift sings, “Long live all the magic we made,” this film is just another example of her magic.
Edited by Annie Goldman | agoldman@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Briana Iordan and Grace KnightEdited by Sophie Rentschler | srentschler@themaneater.com