by Tia Janowski
Following the release of Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD), her Eras Tour has undergone significant changes ahead of its European leg.
After a two-month break from touring, Swift has returned with new outfits, combined sets, and an altered tracklist.
Each show spans over three hours and features 46 songs, dedicating a set to each era of her career. As many fans hoped, Swift added a new set to the show dedicated to her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department.
To accommodate for TTPD, the following songs were removed from the show: The Archer, Tis’ the Damn Season, Long Live, The One, Tolerate It, and The Last Great American Dynasty. Sister albums, Folklore and Evermore have also been combined into one set, and the Red set has been moved to earlier in the show.
These adjustments have stirred controversy amongst her fans. While many are excited about seeing TTPDperformed live, some are upset that their favourite songs have been removed. In particular, the removal of Long Liveas it means the Speak Now set only features one song.
Despite Long Live not originally being included, it was added following the release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), and many believed it would be a permanent addition as the song is dedicated to Swift’s fans. The loss of Tolerate It and The Last Great American Dynasty, known for their theatrical performances, has also disappointed many fans.
Following the first show in Paris, one fan wrote on X, “Why is Taylor making so many changes to the eras tour setlist and outfits I’m so scared right now.”
Another commented, “As a Swiftie whose favourite song is The Archer, I will not be emotionally available for a long time.”
However, Swift compensates for these losses with many theatrical performances in her new TTPD set. Swift meticulously crafted this part of the show, selecting songs that tell the album’s story and bringing the songs to life, including:
- But Daddy I Love Him
- So High School
- Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me
- Down Bad
- Fortnight
- The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived
- I Can Do It With a Broken Heart
As for fashion, Swift kicked off the first Paris show in a new orange and cherry red Lover bodysuit, fitting the design of the previous Versace bodysuits seen prior on the tour.
Other notable outfits include a black and gold fringe dress for the Fearless set, reminiscent of the 2009 Fearless Tour, and a new t-shirt for the Red set that says: “This is not Taylor’s version.”
The 1989 section also features a completely new outfit with a sparkly bralet top and skater skirt set in alternating bright colours.
She then premiered the TTPD wearing a custom Vivienne Westwood dress with the lyrics “I love you, it’s ruining my life,” from her song Fortnight written all over it. During the set, we then see her change into a sparkly two-piece paired with a circus-inspired tailcoat during a silent and dramatic performance.
At this first show, she described the TTPD set as “Female Rage the musical.”
In reaction, one fan on X wrote, "Last night once again proved how Taylor Swift’s creative mind is one for the history books. The TTPD set had the best of theatrical elements, incredible vocal performances and a profound sense of storytelling tying it all together. So grateful to live in the time of her artistry.”
Reactions to The Tortured Poets Department as an album have been mixed. Critics were mostly positive on release, with Variety calling it audacious and transfixing, alongside Rolling Stone deeming it “wildly ambitious and gloriously chaotic.”
In comparison, NME criticised the album for containing some of Swift’s cringiest lines, saying that the album “lacks genuinely interesting shifts that have punctuated Swift’s career so far.”
Fans have similarly had mixed feelings. Many people anticipated the album to be about Swift’s ex Joe Alwyn and were disappointed that it seems to focus more on her next ex, Matty Healy. Although, many are also praising TTPD for its innovation and a new direction for her.
The Eras Tour has been described as a cultural phenomenon, comparable to Madonna’s shows in the 1980s. With 152 stadium dates running until December 2024, regardless of whether you’re a fan or not, it is undoubtedly one of the most iconic tours - ever.
Rest assured, despite significant changes to the show, many fan favourites, including All Too Well (10-minute version) and Love Story, remain in the lineup.
So, whether you caught the original lineup and missed the TTPD set or are seeing the altered show in Europe, The Eras Tour promises not to disappoint.
Edited by Emily Duff