Taylor Swift's Era's Tour Has Officially Conquered The Windy City
Taylor Swift’s Era’s Tour has finally arrived at Soldier Field in Chicago, and it was everything fans hoped for and more. The atmosphere was electric, the stage was magnificent, and Taylor Swift was an absolute delight. The night started with the opening acts Gracie Abrams and Muna, who did an excellent job of hyping up the crowd before the main event. But it was Taylor Swift who brought the energy and excitement to the stage. Swift lived up to her reputation as a captivating performer, delivering a show full of energy and emotion.
With a setlist spanning her entire career, going through each era one by one. Taylor Swift had the crowd singing and dancing all night long. The audience was made up of around 65,000 attendees, with thousands listening outside the stadium. This made the concert an even more memorable experience as fans shared their excitement for the show. Overall, Soldier Field saw close to 200,000 Swifties embark on the Windy City from around the world. The energy inside and outside the stadium was electric, as even those who didn't make it inside were part of the magical night.
Credit: TAS Rights Management
Once Taylor Swift hit the stage, there wasn't a single empty seat in the arena. The audience was a spectacular sight of sequins, ballgowns, and glitter, as everyone was dressed in their finest Taylor-made era attire. From the start of the show, you could feel the electric energy radiating throughout the stadium as the crowd cheered and sang along with every word of each song. It was clear that the crowd was absolutely enthralled by the experience, as not one person left their seat throughout the entirety of the performance.
One of the most unforgettable moments of the concert was when Taylor Swift briefly had to clear her throat, claiming she had swallowed a bug while performing. After some moments, Swift laughed along with the crowd, then came back and started singing again.
“Ooh, delicious … Is there any chance none of you saw that?”
Her professionalism and humor, despite this incident, only further endeared her to the crowd. She was apologetic and visibly shaken but managed to carry on with her signature grace and poise. It was heartwarming to see her fans support her as they cheered on and waited patiently for her to continue the show.
Now, let’s dive into the highlights of the night’s setlist.
The concert started with a bang as the intro played, she then began to take the crowd on a magical journey through the eras of her past albums, including Fearless, 1989, Lover, Evermore, Reputation, Red, Folklore, Midnights and Speak Now. The clock struck zero, & the crowd went wild as Taylor emerged from a trapdoor on the stage and started to sing Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince. She looked stunning in a sequin bodysuit, knee-high boots, and her signature red lipstick.
One of the performances that stood out to me was Taylor's rendition of The Archer. The lyrics of the song touched the hearts of everyone in the audience, and the mesmerizing melody had a way of capturing their souls. When the song ended, the crowd was left in a trance, trying to process what they had just witnessed.
Credit: TAS Rights Management
Another moment that left an indelible impression was her performance of 'You Belong With Me'. This fan-favorite track is from her earlier work, and as soon as it began, the entire crowd was singing along. It's evident that even after years of stardom, Taylor Swift still adores her old songs as much as her new ones. As the audience continued to sing, the atmosphere’s energy was palpable. This song is undoubtedly one of her classics, and it's incredible to see how she's been able to keep it relevant and alive with the passion that she puts into her performances.
The performance that stole the show, however, was the 10-minute version of All Too Well. Taylor started the song by talking about one of her goals which have always been to own her music. She started rerecording all her albums calling them “Taylor’s Version” as a passion project. It kicked off with Fearless, and the next installment will be Speak Now. The emotional depth and raw vulnerability in the lyrics took the crowd on a roller coaster of emotions. Taylor's vocals were flawless, and she showcased her exceptional talent as a musician. The performance was a standout moment in the entire show, and it was clear that it would be one of the fans' favorite parts of the night.
Credit: TAS Rights Management
Apart from the amazing performances, the concert's lighting was spectacular, but it was leaving the stadium that kept the magic alive. The Willis Tower antennas were illuminated in different colors each night of the three-day tour stop. On Friday night, the antennas shined in green and teal to honor Taylor Swift (her debut album) and 1989, while on Saturday, the second day of performances, they were lit in purple and gold for Speak Now and Fearless. On Sunday, Swift's final night of performances, the antennas are visible in red and pink to represent both her 4th album Red and her 7th album Lover. It was an awe-inspiring sight.
Credit: TAS Rights Management
Overall, the Era's Tour in Chicago was a massive success, and it's safe to say that fans got their money's worth and more. It was a night of love, fun, and unforgettable moments. It's amazing how music brings people together, and Taylor Swift did just that, captivating the audience with her performances and stage presence. The Willis Tower's antenna lights added to the beauty of the night, making it a memorable experience for all. This is what music is all about, and Taylor Swift proved to be one of the greatest performers of our time.
For More on Taylor Swift Visit TaylorSwift.com
Taylor Swift Set-List | Soldier Field Chicago, IL | Sunday, June 4th, 2023
Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince (Shortened)
Cruel Summer
The Man
You Need to Calm Down (Shortened)
Lover
The Archer
Fearless (Shortened)
You Belong With Me
Love Story
'tis the damn season (Shortened)
willow
Marjorie (Shortened)
champagne problems
tolerate it (shortened)
...Ready for It?
Delicate
Don't Blame Me (Shortened)
Look What You Made Me Do
Enchanted (shortened)
22
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
I Knew You Were Trouble (Shortened)
All Too Well (10-Minute Version)
seven
the 1
Betty
the last great American dynasty
August
illicit affairs (Shortened)
my tears ricochet
Cardigan
Style (Shortened)
Blank Space
Shake It Off
Wildest Dreams (Shortened)
Bad Blood (Shortened)
Hits Different (Live debut; on guitar)
The Moment I Knew (Live debut, on piano)
Lavender Haze
Anti‐Hero
Midnight Rain
Vigilante Shit
Bejeweled
Mastermind
Karma
Cover Photo By Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune
