The Eras Tour: concert vs. film

Blaire Bussey

Music Journalist

Taylor Swift is everywhere you look this year, and for good reason. From her Midnights album release last autumn to her extremely long Eras Tour date lineups for both USA and international fans, and her two rerecorded albums Speak Now and 1989, which is to be released on Oct. 27. With the release of her new movie “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” fans are consuming any new content she creates at a rapid-fire pace. This megastar is burning bright.

The Eras Tour has been, and most likely will continue to be a smash hit. However, with tickets to Swift’s tour not being accessible to all fans, whether it’s due to ticket scalpers, high demand or location, many are wondering if the film is a good alternative to seeing the show in concert. While both productions are outstanding, there are some crucial differences between the two. 

One example of this is that Swift’s film is advertised to be a concert-like experience, with fans trading friendship bracelets, singing along, and dancing around; however, one cannot disregard the setting in which they are watching the film, as the show is currently only available in theaters. The reactions appear that the experience some fans were expecting to get when watching the movie was not what they hoped for. 

While I did see many videos circulating the internet of fans having a blast partying in theaters, my personal experience was much more serious. I did not see people dancing and my friends and I seemed to be the only ones attempting to sing along to Swift’s polished lyrics and perfected notes. The movie was still a great experience seeing her perform, as the cameras allowed for a closer look at the show, but the film was not the same as attending a concert in person. 

Additionally, there were some key songs from the setlist cut from the film. This includes “The Archer,” “’Tis the Damn Season,” “No Body, No Crime,” “Long Live,” “Seven,” “Cardigan” and “Wildest Dreams,”; this devastated many fans. Although I did not expect the film to be as long as the concert, being well over three hours long, I also did not expect whole songs to be cut considering for the tour many songs were simply shortened. 

However, do not be fooled. The film is an incredible piece of art, as the experience is the Eras Tour in the way Swift wanted her fans to be able to see. The film showcases her personality and talent close-up in an intimate way. There are some artistic shots and great visual effects, but what excited me most was that the audio was crystal clear. During a concert, especially in a huge stadium, focusing and hearing the artist over everything else going on is hard, though the film eliminates that issue. 

All in all, both films have their pros and cons. If one sees the film, they are paying a much-discounted price but having an experience close to that of a concert is not promised. Although the concert itself has more content, no one is guaranteed a seat in a stadium, and the process of getting tickets can be overwhelming. But do know this: seeing The Eras Tour, no matter the method, will not be an experience you’ll regret.