The Eras Tour Comes To New Orleans

Tripp Delaureal, Assistant Editor-in-Chief • October 31, 2024

Taylor leaving the stage after performing “Karma” to close Night 1

It’s been a long time coming, but Taylor Swift and the Eras Tour have finally come to New Orleans. Just as a recap, A LOT has happened since the tour was first announced almost two years ago back in November 2022. She’s released 3 albums since then: two Taylor’s Version re-recordings (Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) in July 2023 and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) in October 2023) and one brand new album (The Tortured Poets Department (aka TTPD) in April, along with its deluxe album The Anthology, which came out two hours later). Along with a few single releases, that’s a total of over 80 new Taylor Swift songs, most of which were previously unreleased.

The tour itself has also made some major changes since it kicked off on March 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. On the first US leg of the tour, “The 1” replaced “Invisible String” as the opening song of the Folklore era after only 4 shows, and Swiftie anthem “Long Live” was added to the Speak Now era on July 7, 2023 to celebrate the release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). Temporary changes were made during some tour dates when opening acts Phoebe Bridgers and HAIM joined Taylor to sing “Nothing New” (from Red) and “No Body, No Crime” (from Evermore), respectively. These changes remained intact during the South America, Asia, and Australia legs. However, the biggest changes were made during the European leg, which started in May, after the release of TTPD. The order of the eras was completely changed, with Folklore and Evermore being combined into one era to save time. Additionally, many songs were cut: “The Archer” from Lover, “Long Live” from Speak Now, “Tis The Damn Season” and fan favorite “Tolerate It” from Evermore, and “The 1” and “The Last Great American Dynasty” from Folklore. Of course, these six songs were cut to make space for a new TTPD era with seven songs.

As always with Taylor, there were multiple conspiracy theories leading up to the concerts, most of which revolved around Taylor possibly announcing Reputation (Taylor’s Version) on one of the three nights. Unfortunately, most of the nights were uneventful in terms of surprises, except for one big surprise we’ll get to later.

To provide the best summary of each night, here are interviews with six Newman students who went to the tour (two from each night):

Night 1 (Friday, 10/25)

Taylor performs during the 1989 era with a new Mardi Gras-inspired outfit on Night 1

What’s your favorite Taylor song and era?

Julia: My favorite song is “Dancing With Our Hands Tied” and my favorite era is Reputation.

Vivian: My favorite song is “You Are In Love” and my favorite era is Folklore.

What were you most looking forward to before the concert?

Julia: I was really looking forward to hearing the intro that plays right before Taylor comes on because it’s so nostalgic.

Vivian: I was so excited to see Gracie Abrams!

What did you think of Gracie Abrams’ opening set?

Julia: I wasn’t a Gracie fan before I saw her perform, but now I am.

Vivian: I loved it so much and I adore her. I do wish she played more old songs because she mostly played songs from her new album (The Secret of Us). “In Between” is my favorite song from her and it’s also unreleased so obviously she didn’t play it, but I’m so mentally deranged that I fully expected it!

How did you feel about your night’s surprise songs (“Our Song”/”Call It What You Want” and “The Black Dog”/”Haunted”)?

Julia: They were the best surprise songs ever, hands down.

Vivian: I loved my surprise songs. “The Black Dog” was one of my favorites from TTPD and “Haunted” is amazing. The other two songs were amazing too and they were so lovely.

If you had to choose one song Taylor sang that you thought was the best (in terms of performance, lyrics, music, etc.), which one would it be and why?

Julia: Definitely “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” because the bridge is amazing.

Vivian: “Champagne Problems.” It was the first Taylor song I heard when I tried to get into her, so it was really special for me. But when I went to her Miami show in April 2023, “Tolerate It” was hands down my favorite, even though she took it off the setlist.

What’s one thing that didn’t happen during your night that you wish had happened?

Julia: Obviously I wish Taylor announced Reputation (Taylor’s Version).

Vivian: I wish Gracie Abrams played “In Between.”

How does this compare to other concerts you’ve seen?

Julia: This is actually the first concert I’ve ever been to, and it was amazing. 10/10.

Vivian: I loved going with my friend and seeing Taylor and Gracie. It was the best.

Overall, what was your favorite part of the concert?

Julia: I was so grateful to experience it with my friend and I loved crying with her to our favorite songs.

Vivian: My favorite part was matching with Gracie Abrams!

Anything else you’d like to share?

Julia: Debutation is real!

Vivian: We got a Debutation mashup and it’s definitely coming out. Also, I love Gracie!

Night 2 (Saturday, 10/26)

Taylor brings out Sabrina Carpenter as a surprise guest during surprise songs on Night 2

Jada and Lilly

What’s your favorite Taylor song and era?

Jada: My favorite song is “Electric Touch” and my favorite era is Midnights.

Lilly: My favorite song is “Love Story” and my favorite era is Fearless.

What were you most looking forward to before the concert?

Jada: I was really excited to see Gracie and hear “22.”

Lilly: I’ve never seen Taylor in concert and I really wanted to hear Gracie Abrams live.

What did you think of Gracie Abrams’ opening set?

Jada: It really set the tone for Taylor because the crowd got so hype. I loved it.

Lilly: It was SO GOOD! She sang her new songs, which were awesome!

How did you feel about your night’s surprise songs (“Espresso”/”Is It Over Now?”/”Please Please Please” (with Sabrina Carpenter) and “Hits Different”/”Welcome To New York”)?

Jada: They made me lose my voice the next day. I really wanted to see Sabrina Carpenter because I never got tickets to her tour, so it was insane when she went out. I love “Welcome To New York” too.

Lilly: I’m not the biggest Sabrina Carpenter fan, so it was cool when she came out, but not super special to me. I really liked the second mashup with “Welcome To New York,” though.

If you had to choose one song Taylor sang that you thought was the best (in terms of performance, lyrics, music, etc.), which one would it be and why?

Jada: I really liked “Lavender Haze” because I really like the beat and it set the tone for the next few songs.

Lilly: My favorite was “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” because the crowd was so hype!

What’s one thing that didn’t happen during your night that you wish had happened?

Jada: I wanted an Errors Tour error because that would’ve been fun and chaotic.

Lilly: Nothing! It was really good! I just wish Gracie performed for longer.

How does this compare to other concerts you’ve seen?

Jada: The only other concert I’ve gone to was Kidz Bop, so obviously there were no children on stage. Also, it was amazing to see my three favorite artists in the same night.

Lilly: This was my second concert and it was super good!

Overall, what was your favorite part of the concert?

Jada: I loved hearing “Is It Over Now” after bingeing it for forever and hearing Taylor sing “Espresso.”

Lilly: I really loved the Red era.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Jada: My section was very hype! They knew every single song and I made so many friends!

Lilly: I wanna see Gracie Abrams in a full concert.

Night 3 (Sunday, 10/27)

Taylor’s moving platform breaks down during “Down Bad” on night 3

What’s your favorite Taylor song and era?

Tripp: My favorite song is “Cowboy Like Me” and my favorite era is Speak Now.

Morgan: I love so many Taylor songs, but my favorite is “Haunted” and my favorite era is 1989.

What were you most looking forward to before the concert?

Tripp: I had been following the tour since it started, so I knew how incredible of a concert it is, so I was excited to finally be able to witness it in person and scream the lyrics to the songs I’ve loved for so long.

Morgan: I was most looking forward to finally experiencing the tour. I had known I was attending the concert for a while, so I avoided watching the concert documentary and videos from the tour, so I was extremely excited to see the concert for the first time. Before the concert, I tried to learn all the chants, and I was excited to shout them while screaming along to Taylor’s lyrics.

What did you think of Gracie Abrams’ opening set?

Tripp: I had heard parts of a few of her songs before the concert, but I didn’t really think much of them. But after seeing her, I definitely see what all the hype’s about. I’m still not the biggest fan of hers, but she’s super talented and put on a great performance. I’m starting to listen to her more, and I really like “I Love You, I’m Sorry.”

Morgan: I love Gracie Abrams, especially her new album. I loved Gracie’s stage presence, and her interactions with the crowd were so sweet. If I could listen to Gracie Abrams twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred sixty five days a year, I would. Her performance of “I Love You, I’m Sorry” was my favorite song of her set but “Free Now” was a close second. She also played “That’s So True” from the new deluxe version of her album “The Secret of Us.” While I wish she also played “Cool,” her set was still amazing.

How did you feel about your night’s surprise songs (“Afterglow”/”Dress” and “How You Get The Girl”/”Clean“)?

Tripp: They definitely weren’t the surprise songs I was hoping for, and most of them aren’t my favorite songs, but the way she performed them and mashed them up was incredible, so I’m pretty satisfied with them. Of course, the anticipation building up to them was amazing, and seeing “Clean” live was incredible.

Morgan: After Night 2 was graced by Sabrina Carpenter during their surprise song section, my expectations were pretty high (although I knew it was unlikely that Taylor would bring out another surprise guest). It was amazing to hear the crowd’s reaction when Taylor started playing “Dress.” In addition, 1989 was my favorite album when I first started listening to Taylor Swift, and it is still my favorite album today, so it was amazing and extremely nostalgic to hear some of my favorite songs live.

If you had to choose one song Taylor sang that you thought was the best (in terms of performance, lyrics, music, etc.), which one would it be and why?

Tripp: Probably “Enchanted.” I’m such a big Speak Now fan and it’s such an incredible song that screaming the lyrics when she played it felt like a life-changing experience.

Morgan: Its so hard to chose one song. I really liked “The Man,” but I think my favorite has to be “Champagne Problems.” The dynamic of the crowd both during and after the song was electric, and I thought I was going to lose my voice while screaming and applauding after the song.

What’s one thing that didn’t happen during your night that you wish had happened?

Tripp: I really wish she sang “Long Live,” especially since it used to be on the setlist. I have so many amazing memories that I associate with that song and it would have been a huge full-circle moment to see that song live. Also, like I said, Speak Now‘s my favorite album, so I really would have appreciated if it got more than one song on the setlist.

Morgan: If Sabrina Carpenter did not have a show in Texas the same night, I would have loved to see her sing with Taylor. However, the whole night was magical, and I really can’t complain.

How does this compare to other concerts you’ve seen?

Tripp: I think it’s the first actual, non-Jazz Fest concert I’ve ever seen, so it obviously blew me away. The effects were so cool and it was so theatrical too.

Morgan: This has been, by far, my favorite concert I have been to. Seeing both Gracie and Taylor in the same night was incredible, because I love both singers’ music so much. Additionally, it was amazing to experience Taylor’s impressive quick changes in real time. Honestly, all future concerts are ruined for be, because this one was so amazing.

Overall, what was your favorite part of the concert?

Tripp: I loved getting to sing along to and experiencing these songs that I’ve known basically my whole life live. Also, special shoutout to the Folklore/Evermore era because those albums made me a fan, so seeing them live was really special to me.

Morgan: It is impossible to have a favorite part at a concert his breathtaking. Taylor has created such a kind and powerful community through her music, and it was amazing to enjoy the concert with these amazing people.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Tripp: Justice for Speak Now TV!

Morgan: After seeing Gracie open for Taylor, I need to see a concert where she is headlining!

Gracie’s Setlist: