Taylor Swift’s record-breaking eras tour finally reached Scotland this past weekend. Audience members were treated to a night they’ll never forget – with 46 songs, spanning 18 years of music and 10 albums (sorry Debut).
It’s been a long time coming…
Emotions were high as the countdown clock appeared pre-show, with Swift’s dancers soon taking the stage in clamshell shaped parachutes, revealing the singer in her Lover era with Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince opening the gig. “It’s been a long time coming”, sings Swift, who last appeared in Scotland nearly a decade ago.
She then transitioned into Cruel Summer, a previous Lover deep cut which had a resurgence at the start of the tour and is now a fan-favourite.
Nae chance
The setlist spanned country classics from the Fearless era to her pop transition during the Red era – her dancer, Kam Saunders, remarked “Nae Chance” during We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. It was All Too Well (10 Minute Version) which proved an early highlight – with 70,000 fans screaming the lyrics and confetti falling from the sky.
Speak Now hit Enchanted was the only song from the album to make the cut after the removal of Long Live earlier this year to the dismay of long-time fans.
Are you ready for it…?
However, the Reputation era made up for the questionable setlist chop. Fan-chant “1, 2, 3, Lets go bitch!” before Delicate was as loud as ever and Don’t Blame Me roars with electric guitars in it’s superior live production.
The folkmore era was a breather, with more downtempo tunes which allowed Swift’s signature lyrics to shine. Although fans did belt the bridge to Champagne Problems, followed by a long applause (another new tradition!). “I love performing this entire show in the sunlight ’cause I’m pretty sure I just saw somebody get engaged over here,”, Swift remarked after performing Cardigan, “I never get to see that, right? ‘Cause it’s dark, usually, at night. But it’s not right now, so congratulations! Wow.”.
The sky remained bright leading into the 1989 era where many of the singer’s classic songs sit. Style, Blank Space, Shake It Off, Wildest Dreams & Bad Blood may as well be the Greatest Hits era.
But Daddy I Love Him
That was followed by the most recent addition to the show, THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT. Swift rises from the stage in a cloud of smoke to sing the anthemic But Daddy I Love Him. Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me? is a strong contender for highlight of the entire night with Swift’s screaming vocals and eery atmosphere.
Surprise Songs
The night’s surprise songs were Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve x I Know Places and Tis’ The Damn Season x Daylight which got the crowd applauding with excitement. Also, the first surprise songs IN daylight since the tour began.
Midnights
It was the Midnights era which closed the show under the night sky. The songs find a new life onstage with Lavender Haze and Anti-Hero proving a mighty sing-along and more low-key tunes such as Midnight Rain allowing time for a very bejeweled costume change. Vigilante Shit proved that the old, innocent country Taylor of back then is long gone with an elaborate chair dance.
The night came to an end with Karma under a sky full of fireworks, Swift bidding the audience farewell.
For nearly 3 and a half hours, Taylor Swift proved she is one of the best performers of not just our time, but all time. The atmosphere was incredible, fans swapping friendship bracelets and recounting chants as if this was The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
He/Him
Arts Editor 24/25
Press email: arts@brignews.com
