Steven Erazo
The Eras Tour makes its way to Houston as Taylor Swift makes history by becoming the first artist to headline three straight shows in a row at NRG Stadium after a five-year hiatus.
This landmark event even had the city rename the stadium to NRG
Stadium (Taylor’s Version) for the weekend.
The show had several of Swift’s most recent work, but also a good mix of the classic and nostalgic songs that made many people become ENCHANTED with her.
The first era that began the night was six songs from her seventh studio album Lover. The background on stage was the Lover House from her music video “Lover.”
The show kicked off with “Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince which transitioned into “Cruel Summer.” Followed by; “The Man,” “You Need To Calm Down,” “Lover” and ending the pink themed set with “The Archer.”
As Swift finished her Lover set we see the Lover House burst into flames into a dazzling golden background and golden sparkles. This led to Act/Era number 2. Fearless (Taylor’s Version.)
The Fearless Era was the nostalgic part of the show where she sang three, but arguably the most iconic songs she is known for; “Fearless,” “You Belong With Me,” and “Love Story.”
The set went fast, but not a single person in their seat or with their mouth closed. These songs came out FIFTEEN years, and the Swifties sang every lyric by heart at the top of their lungs.
The stage background changed and transitioned into an Autumn background. TIS THE DAMN SEASON, this Era/ Act Three Is Evermore.
Evermore slowed the show and became intimate with four breathtaking performances; “Tis the Damn Season,” “Willow,” “Champagne Problems,” and “Tolerate it.”
“Willow” was the most memorable performance with Swift coming out with what looked like she was the leader of a coven of witches surrounding her in a seance circle.
The house lights go out and snakes appear on the stage screen. Are you…READY FOR IT? Era/Act Four is Reputation.
Four songs from this Era; “…Ready for It?” “Delicate,” “Don’t Blame me,” and “Look What You Made Me Do.”
It was a bold and powerful set showing and proving that her reputation has not declined.
Era/Act five was short and sweet. “Drop everything now,” this is Speak Now.
This set consisted of one song, “Enchanted.” This song kept true to its lyrics, “This night is sparking.” “This night is flawless.”
“Enchanted” was a stellar and captivating performance.
The show hit its halfway point with the start of Era/Act Six. To quote Miss Swift. Loving you was RED.
Four songs from this era with the well-known hits of “22,” “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “I Knew You Were Trouble,” and “All Too Well (10 Minute Version.)”
Swift asked if the audience could spare 10 minutes with her before she began her masterpiece. Not a single person left their seat in the sea of glowing red from the wristbands they received before the show.
When the lights returned. The stage had a makeshift cabin on it. Era/Act Seven is Folklore.
The cabin is a nod to her performance at the 2021 Grammys where she also had the cabin on stage.
During the songs she would descend from each floor of the cabin. For “the one,” Swift started on the roof of the cabin. For “betty,” and “the last great american dynasty,” she went to the second level where the bedroom was. Lastly, for “august,” “illicit affairs,” “my tears ricochet,” and “cardigan” she reached the living room on the first floor.
As “Cardigan” ends, she ascends to the second floor of the cabin, where she disappears as the lights fade to black.
The stage lights up again where the intro to “Style” begins to resonate. Taking the audience back to the year Swift was born. Era/Act Eight is 1989.
The consisted of the five singles Swift released from that album. “Style,” “Blank Space,” “Shake It Off,” “Wildest Dreams,” and “Bad Blood.”
This was the dance party part of the show, with Swift dawning the sparkly top and skirt she dawned during the 1989 World Tour. But instead of blue, it was orange.
It is safe to say that the year 1989, will never go out of style thanks to Taylor Swift.
Swift returns to the stage after a quick wardrobe change into a bright yellow dress at the top of the stage. By her is a piano and a guitar. This is Act Nine of the shows, and it is mystery song time.
The two songs Swift pulled out of the vault for Night One, were “Wonderland,” from 1989, and “You’re Not Sorry,” from Fearless (Taylor’s Version.)
Swift, speaking to the crowd, says she fell in love again with “You’re Not Sorry,” while re-recording Fearless.
The song concludes, and Swift does the legendary dive into the stage that is lit up like a pool of water and “swims” back to the main stage to begin the final Era/Act Ten of the Eras Tour, Midnights.
Tied with the most songs in the set along with Folklore, with seven. The “Bejeweled” artist came out sparkling in a blue sparkly short dress, to begin her last act.
Kicking off the Midnights setlist, Swift starts with “Lavender Haze.” Followed by “Anti-Hero,” “Midnight Rain,” “Vigilante S**t,”( her spiciest performance to date,) “Bejeweled,” “Mastermind,” and to end the night, “Karma.”
The “Anti-Hero,” artist gave the fans quite the sendoff with a big fireworks and confetti display. Swift thanked her band, her dancers, and the Swifties for spending their Friday night with her.
The Eras Tour was a spectacle to behold. Arguably the event of the year. It is safe to conclude that it surpassed every Taylor Swift fan’s WILDEST DREAMS. It is hard not to see why she is known as a simply, “The Industry.”
Photo Credit- Nick White
