Eras Tour Insights: Key Takeaways from Taylor Swift’s Book
Discover the hidden gems and intriguing details about Swift’s iconic Eras Tour that every fan should know.
Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour Book was launched at Target in the U.S. on the bustling shopping day of Black Friday (Nov. 29). This stunning hardcover edition spans 256 pages and is a treasure trove of concert photos, offering a deep dive into the spectacular journey of The Eras Tour. It includes a wealth of insights and facts that even the most ardent fans may find enlightening, providing a comprehensive overview that celebrates the tour’s achievements and milestones.
In her heartfelt introduction to The Eras Tour Book, Swift shares her ambitious vision: “I decided to create the longest, most ambitious show I’d ever even attempted.” The tour averages an impressive 3 hours and 15 minutes, featuring a staggering 45 songs. Her dedication is evident as she emphasizes her goal: for every fan in attendance to leave feeling like she poured her heart and soul into the performance, giving them everything she had to offer.
Reflecting the structure of the tour’s set list, the table of contents of the book is thoughtfully organized by era. Each section is beautifully crafted with words from Swift herself, accompanied by stunning concert photography that captures the essence of each distinct phase of her evolving artistry and musical journey.
Readers will also gain insight into the behind-the-scenes world of the tour. The book features sections that acknowledge her talented band members, backup vocalists, and dancers, along with unique glimpses into Swift’s rehearsal process and backstage moments. Visual tributes in the book highlight her impressive mic and guitar collections, her iconic wardrobe, and even sketches and illustrations of her diverse outfits from various Eras, further enriching the reader’s experience.
To secure both the book and the new The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology vinyl, it required visiting two separate Targets on that Friday morning, as both items were exclusively released in-store prior to their online availability the next day. The first Target had a substantial stock of the book displayed prominently alongside the Target-exclusive CD version of the album, but unfortunately had sold out of all vinyl copies to eager fans. Conversely, the second Target had the vinyl available, with all new Swift merchandise cleverly kept behind the customer service desk instead of being showcased on the sales floor.
Here’s a sneak peek into what we uncovered from The Eras Tour Book after exploring this latest release from Swift. Warning: This list contains spoilers from the tour book.
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Swift Reflects on the ‘Next Era’ Ahead
Swift describes her “beloved Eras Tour” as “the most wondrous tour of my life.” Though the tour is still ongoing, with upcoming dates in Vancouver from Dec. 6-8, her choice to sign the prologue of The Eras Tour Book with “See you next era… Taylor” invites speculation about what lies ahead for this iconic artist. With a career spanning nearly two decades and remarkable achievements across multiple genres, fans are left wondering what she has planned for her next artistic chapter. As the Eras Tour approaches its conclusion in late 2024, there are undoubtedly hints and clues of what may come next from Swift, who is always several steps ahead of her audience.
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Unveiling the ‘Tortured Poets’ Rover Mechanism
What might seem like a magical, otherworldly experience is actually quite grounded for Swift during her performance of “Down Bad” from The Tortured Poets. Contrary to popular belief, the moving platform she rides across the stage is not powered by some cosmic force, but rather a dedicated member of her tour crew who operates it from within. “The ‘rover’ platform I travel on actually is operated by a crew member, who lays inside the platform and drives it from inside,” Swift candidly reveals in her book, breaking the illusion with a touch of reality.
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Inside Swift’s Cozy Cleaning Cart Entrance
Early in The Eras Tour, fans were delighted to discover Swift’s unconventional entrance to the main stage before her opening number begins. To maintain an element of surprise, she is cleverly wheeled to the stage inside a box disguised as a cleaning cart. This unexpected twist adds an air of mystery to her grand entrance, ensuring that the audience remains on the edge of their seats in anticipation.
In The Eras Tour Book, a charming image reveals Swift comfortably nestled inside the “cleaning cart,” which is adorned with twinkling lights, framed art of cats, and a printout showcasing the “animal of the day” (Meredith). Additionally, there’s a photo of the city she was performing in that night, offering a glimpse into the personal touches that make each show unique.
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Understanding Why ‘Enchanted’ Represents ‘Speak Now’
For enthusiasts of Speak Now, the inclusion of “Enchanted” as the sole representative song from Swift’s third album in The Eras Tour set list has sparked curiosity. Swift clarifies her choice, stating, “I chose the epic ‘Enchanted’ to represent this album because it was always my favorite song on the album.” In her book, she elaborates that “Enchanted” is designed to evoke that captivating midsummer sensation we experience when we lock eyes with someone special across a crowded room.
Fascinatingly, the original working title for the album was initially Enchanted, indicating just how special this track is to her and its significance in her musical journey.
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Swift’s Favorite Performance Moment: The ‘Vigilante Shit’ Chair Dance
Among the various performances during the tour, the sultry choreography of “Vigilante Shit” stands out as Swift’s absolute favorite. She confesses in The Eras Tour Book that this late-in-the-show number is her top moment of the entire concert. “It’s just the most fun I’ve ever had, that one. The chair choreography! The catty, vengeful, mischievous personas we get to try on and play with,” she shares, highlighting her enjoyment and the creativity involved in bringing this performance to life.
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Mastermind Choreography: Swift’s Strategic Dance Moves
For her performance of “Mastermind,” Swift ingeniously incorporates a chess theme into the choreography. “For ‘Mastermind,’ we recreate a chessboard, and when I signal the dancers to move to different spots on the board, they actually create the exact sequence for a checkmate,” she explains. This unique choreographic element aligns perfectly with the song’s lyrics: “And the touch of a hand lit the fuse/ Of a chain reaction of countermoves/ To assess the equation of you/ Checkmate, I couldn’t lose.” This clever integration of dance and storytelling adds depth to the performance.
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A Special Surprise Awaits Inside the ’22’ Hat
Each night during The Eras Tour, one fortunate fan is selected to receive the black bowler hat that Swift wears during her lively performance of “22.” This delightful moment often features a young fan who is overjoyed to receive this coveted piece of concert memorabilia, along with a warm hug from Swift, which she describes as a heartwarming experience that “warmed my heart every night.” An added touch of charm is revealed in her tour book: the inside of the hat is adorned with Swift’s autograph, making it a treasured keepsake.
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Swift’s Vision for Opening The Eras Tour: A Long-Awaited Dream
Swift had a clear vision for the opening lyric of her highly anticipated tour. She explains in her book, “I always knew the Lover era should open the show, and specifically the line ‘it’s been a long time coming.’ Because it had been!” This statement encapsulates the emotional weight behind her return to touring after a long hiatus. The Eras Tour began in 2023, following the postponement and eventual cancellation of her planned Lover Fest dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the interim, Swift recorded and released three albums: Folklore, Evermore, and Midnights, all while adding another album, The Tortured Poets Department, to her impressive discography before the conclusion of the tour.