People dance while attending The Taylor Party on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at The Blue Note in Columbia, Mo. The Taylor Party is a Taylor Swift inspired dance party that travels the country hosting concerts that play an assortment of music from each of Swift’s albums.
A Swiftie’s perspective on a night of all things Taylor Swift
Swifties of Columbia, it’s that time of year! On Sept. 14, The Blue Note club hosted The Taylor Party which was the perfect way to end this “cruel summer” as attendees “shake it off” and are “enchanted” by all things Taylor Swift.The magic started at 8 p.m. when The Blue Note’s doors opened to the Swifties of Columbia gathered in their sparkly outfits and Eras Tour t-shirts. While this semi-annual party shares no affiliation with Swift or her team, it’s a night that sparkled with all the classics and recent hits of her discography.
Starting off with originals that summed up the vibe of the evening like “Blank Space” and “Bejeweled,” the “lavender haze,” enhanced by the purple flashing lights, perfectly accompanied the night.
Saint Louis University junior Sam Huster, left, and University of Oregon junior Erin Kalemis attend The Taylor Party on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at The Blue Note in Columbia, Mo. Attendees danced, sang and cheered all night to songs from Taylor Swift’s 14-album discography.
With a multi-level dance floor, Swifties gathered together to sing all of their favorite songs. The beginning of the evening included hits like “Lover’s,” “You Need To Calm Down” along with “Red (Taylor’s Version)’s” “Message In A Bottle.”
Even if you’re not familiar with Swift’s work, you’ve likely still heard of tracks like “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” which echoed throughout the venue. These songs helped set the stage for the rest of the night.
Additionally, while vengeful songs like “Vigilante Shit” and “Look What You Made Me Do” were played, they were offset by more relaxed and somber tracks like “right where you left me” and “You’re Own Your Own Kid,” both surprise songs of The Eras Tour.
My personal favorite songs, “The Story Of Us” and “Out Of The Woods” easily brought me to my knees. My voice nearly left my body from screaming “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” so hard that my head hurt.
Other songs that had me on the floor included “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)(Taylor’s Version),” “Now That We Don’t Talk” and “Death By A Thousand Cuts.” These songs consistently speak to me through their depressing lyrics but upbeat nature.
The Taylor Party, mixed by expert Swiftie Isabel, also known as @djeras.ih on Instagram, had Swifties dancing all night. Not only was she enthusiastic about interacting with the crowd, she also traded friendship bracelets with some of the concert-goers– a tradition that Swifties have picked up at her concerts.
Isabel finished out the memorable night with three of her favorite tracks, including “Fearless,” “I Did Something Bad” and “Long Live.” While all the Swifties were sad to see the night end, there was a lingering excitement for when the event will return.
DJ Eras sings to Taylor Swift’s music with the crowd at The Taylor Party on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at The Blue Note in Columbia, Mo. “There’s a really solid community that Taylor Swift was able to create and no matter where I go in the country it feels the same,” said DJ Eras.
To me, one of the most important things about being a Swiftie is the community that being a fan has created. Whether it’s dancing with strangers, or bonding over outfits, the connection never ceases. No matter where you come from or where you’re going, any kind of Taylor Swift event is sure to bring strangers closer together.
If you weren’t able to make it to this chapter of The Taylor Party, no worries! Another Taylor Party is coming to Kansas City, MO on Oct. 19 at The Truman, the perfect event if you weren’t able to attend The Eras Tour.
Hopefully, The Taylor Party never goes out of style, as I fully intend to be at every future Swiftie-themed party The Blue Note hosts. Getting to attend The Taylor Party and being able to dance with other Swifties is a once in a lifetime experience.
As if an “invisible string” ties us together, we all dance and sing together to admire our favorite artist’s songs. The privilege of watching Taylor Swift evolve into more than a musician is like no other.To anyone who was at the Blue Note for The Taylor Party, thank you for letting me ‘fight the dragons’ with you. I had the time of my life.
Edited by Ava McCluer | amccluer@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Caroline Sweet and Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com
Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com