years and 10 studio albums. Each album represents a different “era” of her musical evolution, both lyrically and stylistically, and the tour celebrates every facet of her artistry. With fans traveling from all over the world to attend, Swift crafted a setlist that mirrors the journey of her career, creating an unforgettable experience that transcends a traditional live performance.
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the Eras Tour setlist, dissecting the structure of the show, the musical highlights from each era, the symbolism behind her choices, and how this tour reflects Swift’s impact on pop culture and the music industry at large.
A Thematic Breakdown of the Eras
The concept of “eras” is central to understanding Swift’s tour and setlist. Each album in her discography represents a distinct phase in her life and music, a different sonic world and narrative that Swift invites her listeners into. Over the years, her sound has shifted from country to pop, folk, and indie, while her lyrics have evolved to cover more personal, introspective, and political themes. The Eras Tour essentially takes her audience on a retrospective journey through all of these phases, and the setlist is structured to highlight this diversity.
1. Lover Era
Opening with tracks from her Lover album, Swift introduces the audience to her rebirth after the turbulence of the Reputation era. Released in 2019, Lover is filled with colorful, upbeat pop songs that celebrate love in its many forms, along with more introspective tracks about heartbreak and healing.
Swift often begins the concert with “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince,” setting a dreamy and cinematic tone. The track captures the youthful rebellion and disillusionment with the political climate, themes that resonate with her younger fans, but it also marks the new romantic optimism Swift found in her personal life. Other songs like “Cruel Summer” and “The Archer” follow, maintaining a balance between upbeat pop and more vulnerable ballads.
The Lover segment of the tour emphasizes the shift in Swift’s narrative from defiance to self-acceptance, and the pastel colors of the visuals contrast the dark tones of her previous era.
2. Fearless Era
From Lover, Swift transitions to her earlier country roots, revisiting the Fearless era with fan favorites like “You Belong With Me” and “Love Story.” The 2008 album, which was re-released in 2021 as Fearless (Taylor’s Version), is one of Swift’s most successful projects, winning Album of the Year at the Grammys and cementing her status as a teenage country-pop sensation.
The choice of songs from this era taps into the nostalgia of her fans who grew up with Swift. The crowd often erupts when she performs “You Belong With Me,” a song that tells the quintessential high-school love story that made her a household name. These tracks, marked by their youthful innocence and romantic idealism, capture the essence of Swift’s early appeal and her ability to write catchy yet heartfelt narratives.
Swift’s decision to include multiple songs from Fearless in the setlist also highlights her ongoing effort to reclaim her masters, which have been at the center of a public dispute between her and her former label, Big Machine Records.
3. Evermore Era
Swift then shifts to Evermore, one of her pandemic-era sister albums to Folklore, released in 2020. These albums marked a departure from her pop-oriented sound to a more folk-inspired, indie aesthetic. The Evermore era is known for its deeply introspective lyrics and storytelling, with songs that explore fictional characters, folklore, and personal reflection.
On the Eras Tour, songs like “willow,” “champagne problems,” and “tolerate it” take the audience into a hauntingly beautiful and mystical atmosphere. The live renditions of these songs typically feature stripped-back arrangements, focusing on Swift’s vocals and the emotional weight of the lyrics. The themes of Evermore—heartbreak, solitude, and introspection—offer a poignant contrast to the high-energy pop songs in other sections of the setlist.
4. Reputation Era
The Reputation era, arguably one of the most transformative of Swift’s career, comes to life with a fiery and intense section of the concert. Released in 2017, Reputation was Swift’s response to the intense public scrutiny and media feuds that followed her, particularly her highly publicized fallout with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
On the tour, this era is characterized by dramatic visuals, dark costumes, and pulsating energy. Songs like “…Ready For It?” and “Look What You Made Me Do” turn the stadium into a high-octane spectacle, with Swift reclaiming her power and narrative. The Reputation segment of the concert often features choreography and stage designs that reflect the edgier, more rebellious tone of the album.
Swift’s performance of “Delicate” from this era, however, reminds the audience that underneath the bold and brash exterior of Reputation, there’s still vulnerability and a desire for genuine connection.
5. Red Era
One of the most emotional highlights of the Eras Tour setlist is Swift’s revisit to the Red era. Released in 2012, Red is often considered the bridge between Swift’s country roots and her full embrace of pop music. The album’s themes of heartbreak, confusion, and personal growth resonate deeply with fans, and the re-recording of Red (Taylor’s Version) in 2021 brought a new wave of appreciation for the album.
Songs like “All Too Well,” “I Knew You Were Trouble,” and “22” capture the whirlwind of emotions Swift experienced during this time, with “All Too Well (10-Minute Version)” being a particular fan favorite. This extended version, which includes previously unreleased lyrics, has become a symbol of Swift’s artistic growth and ability to reclaim her own narrative.
The Red segment of the tour often feels like a cathartic release for both Swift and her audience, with the raw emotion of “All Too Well” juxtaposed with the fun, carefree energy of “22.”
6. Folklore Era
Swift’s Folklore era, much like Evermore, is defined by its quiet, introspective tone and storytelling. Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, Folklore was a departure from her typical style, drawing inspiration from folk music, indie rock, and alternative genres. The album was hailed as a critical success, earning Swift her third Grammy for Album of the Year.
In the setlist, songs like “cardigan,” “august,” and “the last great american dynasty” showcase Swift’s ability to weave intricate narratives, often telling stories about fictional characters and past events. The live performances of these songs are often accompanied by minimalist staging and visuals, focusing more on the music and lyrics rather than spectacle.
The Folklore section of the concert serves as a reminder of Swift’s versatility as an artist and her willingness to take creative risks, even at the height of her commercial success.
7. 1989 Era
The 1989 era represents Swift’s full embrace of pop music and her transformation into a global superstar. Released in 2014, 1989 was a departure from her country roots and was filled with synth-pop anthems that dominated the charts. The album produced hits like “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” and “Style,” which became defining songs of the 2010s.
On the Eras Tour, Swift’s 1989 segment is an energetic, dance-filled celebration of her pop prowess. “Shake It Off” often serves as one of the concert’s biggest crowd-pleasers, with fans singing and dancing along to the empowering anthem. “Blank Space,” with its biting satire of the media’s portrayal of Swift’s love life, remains a standout performance, reminding the audience of Swift’s knack for self-awareness and humor.
The bright, neon colors of the 1989 visuals contrast sharply with the darker tones of Reputation and the muted palette of Folklore, emphasizing the playful, carefree energy of this era.
8. Speak Now Era
The Speak Now era, representing Swift’s transition from country to pop, holds a special place in the hearts of many fans. Released in 2010, Speak Now was entirely written by Swift, showcasing her songwriting talent at a young age. The album explores themes of love, heartbreak, and growing up, with a mix of ballads and high-energy tracks.
On the Eras Tour, songs like “Enchanted” and “Dear John” transport the audience back to Swift’s early 20s, a time of both innocence and introspection. The storytelling in these songs is vivid and personal, giving fans a glimpse into Swift’s experiences during this period.
The Speak Now segment is also a reminder of Swift’s evolution as an artist and her growing confidence in her ability to take control of her music and image.
9. Taylor Swift (Debut) Era
While Swift has mostly moved on from her country music roots, the Eras Tour still pays homage to her debut album, Taylor Swift, released in 2006. Songs like “Tim McGraw” and “Our Song” take the audience back to the beginning of Swift’s career, when she was a teenage country singer-songwriter making her mark on Nashville.
