“The Era’s Tour” is a concert movie designed to recreate the live concert experience of Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” in a way that is affordable and accessible to a wider audience. Adult ticket prices ranged from $19.89 to $24.99 depending on the theater. This cost, though more costly than a standard movie ticket, is much cheaper than the hundreds to thousands of dollars to attend the actual tour.
The tour was designed to showcase each of Swift’s 10 albums or “eras:” “Taylor Swift” (Debut), “Fearless,” “Speak Now,” “RED,” “1989,” “Reputation,” “Lover,” “folklore,” “evermore” and “Midnights.” Each era receives an individual setlist and corresponding costumes.
Five songs and several of Swift’s transitions that were in the regular tour were cut from the movie, making the movie 2 hours and 49 minutes long compared to the tour’s 3 hours and 30 minutes. The cuts included, “The Archer,” from her “Lover” setlist, “No Body, No Crime,” from her “evermore” setlist, “Long Live,” from her “Speak Now” setlist, “Cardigan,” from her “folklore” setlist and “Wildest Dreams,” from her “1989” setlist.
By far, “Wildest Dreams” was the song most missed by the crowd. On Friday Nov. 27, the release date of Swift’s “1989” album rerecord, the song was especially missed from the movie’s setlist. Though “Long Live” did not make it into the actual setlist, it is the song used in the credits.
In many other theaters, it has been common for attendees of the movie to trade friendship bracelets, a tradition started at the regular tour inspired by lyrics in Swift’s “You’re On Your Own, Kid.” Individuals would also stand up and dance to the music. Sadly, those attending the Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m. showing at the Marcus South Pointe Cinema, largely did not partake in either experience.
Despite this, almost the entire theater sang along at some point. Audience members could be seen leaning in on their friends, with smiles plastered across their faces. The theater was filled by a diverse group, from little girls and their moms to teenagers with their friends to elderly married couples. Swift created a bond between community members with a shared love for her performance.
Overall, the movie was highly anticipated by those who could not afford to attend the actual tour. In the end, though the crowd may have been a bit disappointing, the actual movie was definitely worth attending. It could be said that the movie rates a 13/10.
