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Never   Mind

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Concluding The Eras Tour an
Official Never Mind Concert Review

Review Written by Abigail Scoggin with Introduction

& Graphic Design by Emma Walker

The Eras Tour needs no introduction, as chances are you are aware of the billion dollar tour that’s officially made Taylor Swift the highest-earning female musician of all time. To share just a few of the records broken, The Eras Tour officially holds the record for the most attendees of a female musician’s tour of all time, de-throning Madonna, Swift had 69,000 people in attendance in Glendale, Arizona on opening night and she has continued to break this record throughout the tour. For example, Swift has officially played Wembley stadium more times in a single tour than any other artist ever, having 8 sold out nights with 90,000 people capacity, the record previously held by Michael Jackson. More Eras Tour tickets have been sold than any other artist in a single day,  more than 2 million tickets were purchased the first day they were available. This historic tour has truly made more than just waves in the touring scene, it’s changed the landscape of possibility for female artists and solidifies Taylor Swift as one of the most influential artists of all time. Never Mind Magazine’s Editor-In Chief, Emma Walker worked with Taylor’s team to bring you this review of the last US Eras Tour stop in Indianapolis, IN. written by official correspondent & certified swiftie, Abigail Scoggin.

Taylor Alison Swift is one of the few artists who can bring a crowd to tears, leaving everyone covered in goosebumps, before the show actually begins. There is no greater feeling than hearing the introduction to the Eras tour, weaving in references from her entire discography. The stadium explodes when the line, “My name is Taylor and I was born in 1989,” booms through the speakers. Her presence is already known, even before she steps on stage. A wash of pinks, oranges, and purples flush the stage, and before anyone is truly prepared, the one and only Taylor Swift appears.

Graphic Design by Emma Walker, Original Photo Credit: TAS management 

Indianapolis had me reminiscing about the start of this incredible journey that Swifties, and fans of all kinds, have witnessed Taylor embark on. Two years ago, the tour announcement was made on Good Morning America, setting off a wave of anticipation, excitement, and even a little stress. From the start, we knew this would be a difficult tour to snag tickets for. Beginning in March 2023 in Glendale, Arizona, the Eras Tour has taken Taylor across the globe, with stops in Europe, Australia, and Asia, connecting fans worldwide. As we swiftly near the end, the final shows will take place on December 6-8th in Vancouver, bringing this unforgettable chapter to a close.

It’s hard not to feel incredibly grateful and overjoyed for the opportunity to attend the final night of the Indianapolis stop on the Eras Tour. The atmosphere was filled with a mix of excitement and bittersweet realization, as many in the crowd knew this might be their last, or only, chance to experience this tour live. As the show opened with the Lover Era, Taylor introduced herself and her opener, Gracie Abrams, expressing her gratitude and excitement about playing in Indy. She told the audience that this performance would be an adventure spanning eighteen years of music. My favorite part of her speech was when she mentioned that while her songs often remind us of the things she went through and felt while writing them, from now on, they’ll carry a new meaning. We’ll start to associate them with the memories we made together at this concert, adding a special layer to every listen. 

 

Classic albums, like Fearless, Speak Now, and 1989 were featured with their own Eras on this tour, bringing floods of memories from my childhood and teenage years and also reminding me of when I first fell in love with Taylor and her music. I was so glad to see that my personal favorite Fearless dress was worn for this evening! Do I wish "Long Live" had stayed on the setlist for this era? Absolutely. But it’s hard to be disappointed when you get to witness Swift gracefully glide across the stage during “Enchanted,” delivering that iconic over-the-shoulder look as she exits.  

The “Folkmore” Era, a combination between the sister albums Folklore and Evermore, dove into deeply personal and narrative-driven songs, creating a stark contrast to the high-energy numbers from earlier eras. One of the most touching moments during this segment is the performance of “Marjorie,” a heartfelt tribute to Taylor's late grandmother, Marjorie. Witnessing this song live is truly special, even more so than on the grainy live streams I have spent my evenings consumed in. As Taylor sings about the memories and lessons passed down by her grandmother, the crowd often participates by turning on their phone flashlights, illuminating the entire stadium in a sea of lights. This spontaneous gesture of solidarity feels like a collective tribute, with everyone paying their respects to a woman who played a significant role in Taylor’s life and legacy. 

 

One of the most moving moments on this tour is the Red Era "22" hat send-off. Taylor and her team take time to carefully research and scan the crowd, sometimes even before the show, checking social media, and other times during the performance itself, watching the audience. One lucky fan, usually a younger child, gets the chance to meet Taylor at the end of the stage and receive her hat during the song “22.” The chosen one, or I guess you could say, “The Lucky One,” was a 6-year-old girl, Emerson. After receiving a hug from Taylor, the moment was so special as Emerson asked, “Is this real?”. Taylor warmly reassured her, saying that it was real and shook her hand. After transferring the hat over, Taylor blew a chef’s kiss and then headed back to the dancers on the stage. It’s incredible to see how this tradition has evolved over the past 130-something shows. From the early days when the interaction was brief, it has transformed into a more extended, personal experience. Now, Taylor adjusts the dance number to take a moment with each fan, making the hat handoff feel even more meaningful and intimate—a small but impactful gesture that connects her with the audience in a unique way each night. 

Photo Credit: TAS management 

As the show neared the reputation Era, fans were highly anticipating something magical to happen. For months now, the Swiftie community has been filled with speculation that an announcement for reputation (Taylor’s Version) could drop any day. This anticipation is fueled by a mix of small, subtle hints from Taylor, far-fetched fan theories, and some not-so-outlandish predictions. My absolute favorite moments during the reputation Era of the show are the performances of “Don’t Blame Me” and “Look What You Made Me Do.” I get full-body chills when Taylor launches into the chorus of “Don’t Blame Me.” As she belts out, "Oh Lord save me, my drug is my baby, I’ll be usin’ for the rest of my life," she’s lifted on a platform at the center of the stage. The dramatic lighting beams upward like a spotlight or beacon, amplifying the intensity of the song. It’s a mesmerizing visual where the production and her vocals come together to create something truly captivating. At the end of this, Swift transitions into “Look What You Made Me Do,” going back and forth saying “Don’t blame me, don’t blame me for what you made me do.” The lighting shifts to a strobe effect, heightening the drama as she begins the next track. This buildup is one of the most exhilarating parts of the show. What stands out to me most during this set is the prominence of the live guitar. The rock elements really shine through, adding a gritty, raw edge to the performance that feels even more powerful than the studio version. I’m not certain if this heavier guitar sound has always been emphasized in past live renditions of the song, but I’m hopeful that in the upcoming re-recordings of reputation, Taylor will amplify this rock influence in the production, mirroring the sound experienced during the live show. 

Each stop on the Eras Tour has featured a distinctive highlight: the surprise song set. This portion of the show initially included two acoustic performances, one on guitar and the other on piano. It has become one of the most anticipated parts of the night, as Taylor plays songs not regularly included in the setlist, keeping the audience guessing until the moment begins. As the Eras tour has evolved, it is now common for Taylor to mash up songs together on each instrument, often telling a deeper story to the audience. Before heading into the shows this weekend, I had a personal surprise song wish list: “Death By A Thousand Cuts,” “Hits Different,” “Cowboy Like Me,” “The Bolter,” and “The Black Dog.” I was thrilled to hear two of these songs live in one night. For the guitar set, Taylor mashed up “Cornelia Street” and “The Bolter,” and for the piano set, “Death By A Thousand Cuts” and “The Great War” seamlessly came together. I was brought to tears as the lines of the guitar set danced together, creating the line “I don't want to lose you, I hope it never ends… But as she was leaving, it felt like freedom”. Although there was no special album announcement, I was far from disappointed as the surprise songs felt like they were made just for me, almost as if my prayers had been answered and I couldn’t have asked for a better set. 

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Last year, when I attended the tour in Los Angeles, CA, I did not get to experience the Tortured Poets Department live, because it was not yet announced. Now any Taylor Swift concert is memorable, but it was even more memorable to get to see the TTPD Era live. The cinematic and theatrical feel that each song takes the audience through is only something that Swift can accomplish. The entire set is nothing short of dramatic and emotional from start to finish. A lot of fans have dubbed this portion, “Female Rage: The Musical”, which Taylor has now trademarked and embraced. 

It was hard to see something so good come to an end. The Midnights Era was over in the blink of an eye and before I knew it, Swift was performing the outro song, “Karma”. I have never listened to this song and felt emotional, but as the night came to a close, it signified the end of not just one Era, but the end of all the Eras. 

Surrounded by confetti, Swift and her dancers took their final bow, and I couldn’t hold back the tears. As Indianapolis marked the last U.S. stop, I couldn't help but feel proud to be a Swiftie. Taylor’s ability to make all 69,000 fans feel loved, seen, and heard is something you experience only once in a lifetime. I am excited for the new adventures that Swift will embark on and I can only hope that I get to experience something like this again. 

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