Show Review, Photos: Taylor Swift Brings The Best Show of the Year to Santa Clara
Taylor Swift
‘The Eras Tour’
w/ HAIM, Gracie Abrams
July 28th, 2023
Levi’s Stadium
Santa Clara, CA
Photos and Review by Jared Stossel
I’ve covered hundreds of shows and a countless number of artists over the last decade. It is rare that an artist leaves me speechless, struggling to put pen to paper and write about my feelings. There is not a doubt in my mind that Taylor Swift brought forth the best show of the year – maybe even the decade – with her “Eras Tour” performance last night in Santa Clara, CA. Absolutely no expense was spared as Swift spent three and a half hours taking fans on a journey through her life’s work: ten albums that have dominated Billboard charts and racked up Grammy Awards. There wasn’t a single dull moment throughout the entirety of the show, as Swift exceeded expectation and upped the ante with every costume and set change, strum of a guitar, flawlessly executed dance move, and impressive vocal run.
At most shows, it can take a moment to get the energy up in the building. This time, the excitement began outside the building as fans lined up around the block, traded custom-made friendship bracelets with one another, and showed off their outfits specifically designed to reflect one of Swift’s “eras”. The amount of detail that went into some of these outfits was incredible, and you couldn’t help but feel joyful looking around at everyone in attendance. One of the most coveted places to be in the Bay Area last night ended up being the most effervescent.
Fans radiated excitement throughout the evening’s two openers, singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams and rock trio HAIM. Abrams brought her pop sensibilities to the table as she played through several songs from her most recent effort, this year’s Good Riddance. The Haim sisters, bubbling with an infectious energy that could be felt even in the upper decks of the stadium, careened their way through a set list comprised of material from all three of their studio albums, dating back to 2013’s Days Are Gone. Each of these opening sets were short, and for a show of this nature, perfect in length. I look forward to seeing both Abrams and HAIM again on their own respective tours; both of these artists are absolutely worth your time.
A giant countdown clock appeared, and what I can only describe as a feeling of euphoria spread throughout the stadium. Several dancers, carrying large pastel tapestries, made their way to the middle of the stage and covered a section of the floor in a choreographed manner. The music built up, and like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Taylor Swift appeared, signifying the start of the Lover era, and a three-and-a-half hour long adventure through her world. The minute she became visible, the roar of the crowd was deafening. I’ve never heard anything like it.
A shortened version of “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince” led into “Cruel Summer” before Swift made her way to the back half of the massive stage design for a rendition of “The Man”, finding her ascending the ladder of a corporate office as she danced her way to the top in a sequined blazer.
If I were to sit here and write about every single moment of this show, this review would probably be the length of a novella; there is that much to talk about and take in with the Eras tour, and it can be quite overwhelming. What I can note here is that each era of Swift’s career is distinctive, and the transitions between them are clear, punctuated by brief interludes before being brought to life in dazzling color and costume. Some sections are shorter than others, but all inspired the same reaction: absolute joy. She is an outstanding vocalist, dancer, guitarist, pianist, and songwriter, and she utilized this show so well to show off her many talents. This tour is a true celebration of her art, and it’s so clearly designed with the fans in mind.
Surprises abounded throughout the show, with HAIM returning to the stage to join Swift for their evermore collaboration “no body, no crime” – with the sisters wearing the elaborate dresses featured in the “Bejeweled” music video - and collaborator Aaron Dessner joining her on stage for an intimate performance of the show’s surprise song, “right where you left me”. Fans were also treated to the live debut and gorgeous rendition of “Castles Crumbling”, a vault track from Speak Now: Taylor’s Version.
45 songs later, and over thirty minutes past the venue’s curfew, we reached the end of the Eras tour. We experienced the euphoric bliss of Lover, the tenacity of Fearless, the storybook wonder of both folklore and evermore, the intensity of Reputation, the vulnerability of Red, the enchantment of Speak Now, the confidence of 1989, and the mercurial nature of Midnights. As fireworks cascaded overhead during the finale of “Karma”, I couldn’t help but find myself wanting to do it all again.
Having done this for so many years, it’s easy to become jaded. Each night leads to another show, another photo pass, another parking lot, another trek out to a venue after sitting in traffic to see yet another artist do something that’s derivative of the last show. Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” is a magnificent example of how creativity will always persevere and come out on top in this industry, and further evidence that Swift is one of the greatest songwriters and performers of our generation. It doesn’t matter how many hours you spend scrolling on TikTok and looking at videos; you need to see it in person to believe it.
Taylor Swift returns to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA tonight for a second performance. For more information, click here.
Taylor Swift Set List
Lover
Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince
Cruel Summer
The Man
You Need To Calm Down
Lover
The Archer
Fearless
Fearless
You Belong With Me
Love Story
evermore
no body, no crime (with HAIM)
willow
marjorie
champagne problems
tolerate it
Reputation
…Ready For It?
Delicate
Don’t Blame Me
Look What You Made Me Do
Speak Now
Enchanted
Long Live
Red
22
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
I Knew You Were Trouble
All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
folklore
the 1
betty
the last great american dynasty
august
illicit affairs
my tears ricochet
cardigan
1989
Style
Blank Space
Shake It Off
Wildest Dreams
Bad Blood
right where you left me (Surprise Song)
Castles Crumbling (Surprise Song)
Midnights
Lavender Haze
Anti-Hero
Midnight Rain
Vigilante Shit
Bejeweled
Mastermind
Karma
