Taylor Swift is Doing Something Fabulous on The Eras Tour

I'm a diehard Swiftie. Everyone who knows me knows it and on Taylor Swift's auspicious "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)" release weekend, I'm still basking in the glow of 70,000 color-changing wristbands waving in the air around me at her Ford Field Detroit Night 1 Eras Tour concert on June 9.

Yes, I realize the show was a month ago. Like many of hundreds of thousands of fans who have attended Eras Tour shows thus far, I wish I could go back!

It so happens that Apple Music posted this video on Facebook of Taylor singing "Haunted" at Ford Field in Detroit on Night 1 as a "Speak Now TV" release teaser. It was one of her surprise songs.

Watching it did take me back to that incredible night. In my mind.

I've never seen Taylor perform live and it was a bucket list show for me. To say she exceeded my expectations with her non-stop 3 ½ hour magical musical journey across her iconic catalog feels like such a huge understatement!

It was the BEST. CONCERT. I’VE. EVER. SEEN. – hands down, no contest. Nobody comes close (I love you Elton, Paul, and Ed – I truly do!) But Taylor Swift hit it WAYYYY out of the park.

Check that. Taylor Swift Built the Park, Ruled the Stage, and then Shot Us All into Another Stratosphere.

From the minute that huge clock dropped down, and the digital countdown signaled her explosive “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” opener until she disappeared beneath the stage waving her post-Karma goodbye, I was Enchanted – suspended in Swiftie heaven along with 70,000 other screaming fans.

To quote one of my favorite songs, “This Love (Taylor’s Version) “:

“I could go on and on, on and on …”

What Taylor Swift Brought

Taylor Swift brought non-stop dancing, eyebrow-raising vocal power, and electric energy to the technicolor stage. And she drew everyone in and held us with captivating charm.

From fictional "Folklore" masterpieces like “Betty,” “August,” and “Cardigan” to the sparkling nostalgia of “Fearless” and “Enchanted,” we felt every note. And ball gown envy if I’m being honest!

And THIS!!

The transition from “Don’t Blame Me” to “Look What You Made Me Do” in the Reputation Era was sick! Those lights reaching up toward heaven above her – unreal!

But I can’t choose a favorite moment, honestly, because I feel like every song, every story she told, brought its own brand of magic.

Words like musical genius, performance prowess, Stage Queen, Class Act, and MOTHER IS MOTHERING don’t fully describe her playful, bright, engaging, and vulnerable delivery.

Simply put: Taylor Swift has raised the bar SUPER HIGH for all those who must follow this Eras Live Tour Master Class.

Bear with me, Dear Reader, because Tay’s pulse-pounding and in equal parts heartbreaking live performance journey through her showstopping career is not really the focus of this piece.

I'd like to direct your attention, instead, to something fabulous that the world-renowned pop star is doing on her Eras Tour.

"Are You Ready for It?"

Taylor Swift is sending a huge wave of joy across the U.S. and around the world.

After 20 years of dark nights, we're finally seeing daylight. Taylor Swift is boldly casting off those storm clouds and showing us the sun. One Eras Tour show at a time.

Let me explain.

NEVER in all my years of attending live shows have I EVER seen:

• Thousands of fans without tickets standing in parking lots across the country outside of a venue holding up cell phones and scream-singing songs.
• Dads learning the bridge of “Cruel Summer” to sing with their daughters.

• Parents pulling out all stops to secure their children OF ALL AGES tickets to the show.
• People feeling like they've found a Willy Wonka Golden Ticket in scoring seats to a live show.
• Police, security guards, VIP guests and an artist’s mom and dad trading friendship bracelets with audience members. (DETROIT SEES YOU Mr. and Mrs. Swift, and FLAVOR FLAV! <3)

• Concertgoers planning outfits weeks, if not months, in advance of the show. In many cases, making elaborate Eras costumes by hand.

• Governors, Mayors and other officials declaring their state and city’s stop on the Eras Tour “Taylor Swift Day” and Glendale, Arizona renaming itself "Swift City" and ADOT ushering her in with celebratory traffic signs.

• Each city anticipating Taylor's arrival with unbridled enthusiasm. It's like they're passing the Eras Show baton to the next stop with huge pomp and circumstance.
• Total strangers fist pumping light-up wristbands and high fiving each other throughout the show with off-the-charts excitement!

• An artist so in tune with her audience that she can predict their favorite chants. (1,2,3, let’s go b*tch!)

• Reluctant spouses and partners who attend the concert and become smitten Swifties by the end of the show.

• NFL players in every tour state rattling off a list of their favorite Taylor Swift songs. Big props to the Detroit Lions Swifties!

• An artist defending a fan from a security guard’s actions.
• A security guard be-bopping to “Delicate” in perfect time.

I could easily list at least a hundred outstanding points about the unprecedented joy Taylor Swift is giving her fans, the stadiums, the states, and the cities she’s visiting on the Eras Tour.

Taylor has Such a Remarkable Connection with Her Fans

Above all this, Taylor Swift has such a remarkable connection with her fans. She shares a love language with them. She thanks them, acknowledges their passionate “performances,” plants secret codes and clues about exciting upcoming announcements, mimics their “Bejeweled” dance moves, gives away her “22” hat, plots really cool surprises, and genuinely connects with her fans on and off stage.

The Kansas City Eras Show Night 1 is a Prime Example

Kansas City Night 1 Swifties watched a World Premiere screening of Taylor's "I Can See You" music video Friday night. The song is a vault track on her new "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)" album.

In the video, she stars alongside her ex/turned friend/Michigan's own Taylor Lautner, as well as Joey King, and Presley Cash (who both starred in Taylor's "Mean" video when they were young).

In the new MV, T. Swift and friends plot to take back Taylor's "Speak Now" album.

At this spontaneous "Speak Now TV" release party, Taylor brought all the actors out on the Kansas City Eras stage and gave group hugs all around.

Taylor Lautner even told T. Swift how much he respects her as a songwriter, performer, and human - calling her "gracious," "humble" and "kind."

How sweet is that? Sniff, sniff!

She jokes about "Tay-lurking" on fans' tumblr sites, Twitter accounts, and TikTok videos. But she does it because she seriously cares how her fans feel.

This genuine, intense, and heartfelt connection that Taylor Swift maintains with her fans truly sets her apart.

She won a Guinness World Record number of (fan-voted) American Music Awards - 40 - more than any artist in history. This feat proves Taylor's enduring bond with her fans.

Here's Another Thing:

Taylor Swift meets every single one of us right where we’re at on this mind-blowing tour.

For one magical day - our designated Taylor Swift Eras Tour Day - we forget about the bills, the overdue English papers, the pile of dishes in the sink, and the never-ending mountain of laundry.

We push down the looming oppression of haters. We put our sparkle on with immense pride and we set out to make the whole place shimmer.

We tell ourselves it’s not only okay to shine – it’s essential.

I went to Taylor Swift's Detroit Ford Field Night 1 show with 7 people that mean the world to me. Half of our group are arguably older than many Swifties. But we are no less diehard - let that be clear! LOL.

As a mom, aspiring writer, and creative spirit, Taylor Swift's creativity, strong work ethic, master storytelling skills and obvious compassion for others truly inspire me.

The song "Clean" resonates with me more than I can fully articulate. And the imagery and emotions Taylor evokes in songs like "All Too Well (Taylor's Version) 10-Minute Version," "You Are in Love," "Last Kiss," "Never Grow Up," "August," "Love Story," and so many more are incredible.

My parents passed away less than two years apart in 2020 and 2022. My mom and I frequently sang "Fearless," "Love Story," and "Never Grow Up" together. The "Red (Taylor's Version)" vinyl album and a turntable were my last birthday and Christmas gifts from my mom. I'll cherish them forever.

Ironically, "You Don't Own Me" played as the clock counted down Taylor's opening. It was one of my mom's all-time favorite songs and instantly brought tears to my eyes.

I like to think she watched me, my lifelong friend Kim, and Olivia, who is like a niece to, me have the time of our lives that night.

2 Dedicated Michigan High School Teachers are Huge Swifties

Randy Scott and Amy Lesko co-teach broadcasting at Davison High School and produce DTV News. They have tirelessly led their students on to win numerous Student Emmy Awards, Michigan Interscholastic Press Awards, and many other accolades.

Across lengthy careers, Randy and Amy continue to coach, mentor, and help their students reach their fullest potential. They even help former students pursue and achieve successful broadcasting and media-related careers. They are truly unsung heroes.

All of their past and present students (including my son) know that diehard Swifties are leading the class.

Randy attended the show with his wife, Liz, and Amy with her daughter, Emma.

“The magic of Taylor’s music is that in every song there is something every person can take away, relate to, or feel," Scott said. "Her songs are a shared experience for everyone and sharing that with 70,000 people was amazing. But the truth is, all you have to do is put on one Taylor song to know you’re not alone."

“Taylor’s lyrics reach so many people. Whether it’s heartbreak, love, or a fun adventure, it’s all there. And being able to experience all of it with 70,000 people is a feeling like none other," said Lesko. "I first really connected with Taylor during the release of her album 'Red.' I was going through a breakup and it was like she put into words what I couldn’t. I’ve been hooked ever since!”

Samantha Pung and Husband James Splurged on T. Swift Tickets

Michigan couple Samantha and James Pung splurged on floor seats for Taylor Swift's Ford Field Night 1 show. Samantha was bowled over by the experience.

Taylor's duet with Ed Sheeran from the "Red" album, "Everything Has Changed," was their wedding song. They also named their firstborn daughter after Taylor.

"My kids are all finally out of diapers and my husband and I were ready to finally splurge on ourselves. But my firstborn daughter is named after her. My Taylor is 8," Pung said.

Pung is 33 and essentially grew up with Taylor Swift. She also had a lot of fun when "22" originally came out.

At Ford Field, she scored a great photo bomb opportunity during "Love Story." That moment was a fun standout during the show.

"'Fearless' was my favorite song she played. But 'Love Story' hit home. She was right in front of me and I got a picture with us both in it," Pung said. "It was the best night of my life. Hands down."

Michigan Native Twin Sisters Return Home from Chicago for Ford Field Night 2 Eras Tour Show

Twin sisters Morgan and Margaret Hastings grew up in Lake Orion and also grew up with Taylor Swift's music. They currently live in Chicago and came home to watch Taylor perform at Ford Field on Night 2.

Seeing Taylor perform live on the Red Tour was their first concert ever and they've bonded over Taylor's music most of their lives. Coming home for the Eras Tour was extra special. They both love the way Taylor shares such relatable stories and experiences in her songs.

"Taylor writes all her songs herself and she writes about very relatable experiences – like heartbreak. I love the way she expresses her feelings and her emotions through her music. It just resonates with so many people,” said Morgan.

“Taylor as a performer is just so inclusive and you can tell she’s so passionate and driven in her music. And it’s about experiences she’s gone through personally, that I’m sure at the time she felt so alone and by herself," said Margaret. "When you’re in the stadium with her and everyone is screaming you just realize how her music is a shared experience that everyone goes through. It’s beautifully written as well."

The charismatic Swiftie sisters are also impressed with Taylor's evolution as an artist.

“I really liked the song 'Breathe' (Ford Field Night 2 surprise song)," Margaret said. "I love that song – and to hear it live was really cool. And then 'Vigilante Shit' was a really good performance. Even from watching her grow up from when we were listening to 'Teardrops on My Guitar' to her performing that – she's obviously grown so much as her own woman."

High School Swiftie Loved the 'Unusually Kind' Eras Environment

I can't underscore the unparalleled wave of kindness and happiness that total strangers share at Taylor Swift's Eras shows enough.

In the midst of such turbulent times, it's so refreshing to see thousands of people come together in an easy, strong kinship.

The spirit was not lost on DHS high school student and DTV News crew member Cooper Austin. He attended Ford Field Night 2 with his mom, Dana. The tickets were a Christmas surprise from his grandma and he was thrilled.

He loved the stadium vibe. "Everyone was very kind - unusually kind. It was an amazing environment," Austin said.

Austin is a big 'Reputation' fan, though he loves all of T. Swift's albums. He is particularly impressed with the relatable lyrics and experiences she writes and sings about.

"Even though the songs she writes are about other people, like her exes, you’re able to think of people that did you wrong and brought you into similar situations like that," Austin said. "When you’re in moments like that and you’re able to relate to an artist like Taylor Swift, it makes you feel so much better.

"Her lyrics are the best I’ve ever seen and the stories she creates are so great. Just about anyone can relate to them," Austin added. "She’s grown so much as an artist. Each album still holds up and her writing gets better and better. She’s just fantastic and I hope she keeps writing forever."

Moving On, Can I Ask You a Question?

I know my thoughts echo those of thousands of fellow Swfities who have already attended a Taylor Swift Eras Tour show and desperately wish they could dial back time and do it all over again.

Nicki Marie sums up our post- T. Swift feelings perfectly in her Instagram post:

So, how do we move on from here?

Though the glow of our light up wristbands has long since faded, our magical T. Swift memories won't wane in our hearts.

So thank you, Taylor. We took your advice. We made the friendship bracelets - we took the moment and tasted it - and we have no reason to be afraid.

Here's what I hope happens next.

I hope we take our sparkling night and never let it go.

I hope the amazing level of sharing and caring we felt at Taylor Swift's Eras concert travels far outside of the stadium seats we filled.

I hope we pass on the love, kindness, and light that flowed among us at the show to our families, to our coworkers, to people we greet, and strangers we meet.

I hope we recognize that music is such a powerful, universal language, that breaks down so many barriers.

I hope we remember that we all share a human experience and our genuine smile can make a difference for any random person we pass. And I also hope we realize that ours might be the only smile a person sees that day.

Taylor Swift inspires millions of people around the world and so many hearts find comfort in her songs.

She's spreading a fabulous Lavender Haze over audiences across the country and around the world with her Eras Tour right now.

Moving forward, I hope we channel that inspiration to chase our own dreams and root for others to realize theirs.

Life is short. So, let's be Fearless and spark a Bejeweled kind of joy whenever we can.