Taylor Swift continues to captivate her fans on the Eras tour, consistently surprising them with special additions to her setlists.
From nostalgic classics like “Tim McGraw” to infectious anthems like “Paper Rings,” and even unreleased gems like “Snow on the Beach” and “Welcome to New York,” Swift has treated her devoted audience to a staggering 74 bonus songs thus far. These unexpected moments have sparked excitement among attendees and caused a hint of sadness for those relying on fan-captured videos to relish in the magic.
During her recent performance at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Swift truly stunned her fans by including a particularly surprising song: “Dear John.” It had been a remarkable 11 years since she last performed the heartfelt ballad, last gracing the stage with it in Auckland, New Zealand, back in 2012. Known for its biting lyrics, the six-plus minute masterpiece from her 2010 album “Speak Now” serves as a poignant response to her brief romantic involvement with John Mayer in 2009. Lines like “You’ll add my name to your long list of traitors who don’t understand” and “And I look back in regret how I ignored when they said, ‘run as fast as you can'” showcase Swift’s unfiltered emotions.
To add to the excitement, Swift shared that she plans to release “Taylor’s Version” of the entire “Speak Now” album on July 7. Her decision stems from her desire to reclaim ownership of her music, expressing her belief that every artist should have the opportunity to own their creative work. This bold statement resonated with the crowd as she made the announcement from the stage, further solidifying her status as an artist who stands up for her artistry and artistic independence.
Prior to her Saturday performance, Taylor Swift took a moment to address her fans, making a gentle plea for “kindness and gentleness” in their online activities. It was an understated but significant request, aimed at safeguarding John Mayer from the intense scrutiny of her devoted followers. Swift’s thoughtful words reflected her desire to promote a more compassionate approach in the digital realm, reminding her fans of the importance of empathy and understanding.
💜| Taylor urging fans tonight to be kind and gentle online when Speak Now comes out as she doesn’t care what happened when she was 19 yo, she only cares about the music she wrote and the fact that she gets to own it now pic.twitter.com/KZrKNp0vfw
— Taylor Swift Updates 🏟️ (@swifferupdates) June 25, 2023
In a candid moment, Taylor Swift, now 33 years old, expressed her perspective on her past experiences at the age of 19. She made it clear that the only aspect from that time period that holds significance for her is the music she created. Swift emphasized that her forthcoming album release was not intended to incite her fans into defending her against perceived targets of her songs. She conveyed a sense of detachment from any personal conflicts and encouraged her followers to focus on the art itself.
During her performance, Swift also treated her audience to another special rendition. As the second surprise of the night, she enchanted the crowd with a heartfelt performance of “Daylight” from her 2019 album “Lover.” The inclusion of this beloved track further enriched the concert experience and left fans with a lasting impression of Swift’s musical versatility.
Following a successful run of performances, Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated mega-tour is set to make its way to Cincinnati for a thrilling pair of shows next weekend. From there, the tour will continue its journey westward throughout the month of July, culminating in a grand finale with five spectacular shows at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on August 9.
However, the excitement doesn’t stop there. Swift’s Eras extravaganza is not limited to the United States alone. The global trek will kick off on August 24 in Mexico City, captivating international audiences with her awe-inspiring performances. Looking ahead to the following year, the tour has plans to traverse across continents, gracing Japan, Australia, Singapore, and Europe with Swift’s extraordinary talent. Fans can mark their calendars as this remarkable musical journey spans from February to August 2024, ensuring that Swift’s enchanting melodies and electrifying stage presence reach audiences far and wide.