Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour is so dominant in theaters across the country that screenings of the Killers of the Flower Moon have had “Love Story” leaking in from next door during quiet moments. But the nearly three-hour-long Swift concert documentary is an intense theatrical experience in its own right, complete with singalongs, applause, and in some cases, young Swifties leaving their seats to stand, or dance, directly in front of the screen.
In the new episode of Rolling Stone Music Now, we share many thoughts on the tour and the state of all things Taylor, with Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield joining host Brian Hiatt. For the full discussion, go here for the podcast provider of your choice, listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or just press play above. Here’s a preview:
No one can guess exactly what Swift will do next — and certainly, her next tour will have to be very different.
But it’s not impossible to imagine that she might return to the Eras Tour format, say, every decade or so, ideally with many new albums and eras to add in. That means we’d be due for Eras Tour II around 2033.
Other artists may take inspiration from Swift and Beyoncé both releasing rapid-turnaround concert movies in theaters.
Other artists are definitely going to try it, if not necessarily successfully — few can match Beyoncé and Swift’s clout.
It’s weird that “Karma” works so well as the Eras Tour closer.
“The whole idea that the universe is structured around rewarding you for like being a good person?” says Sheffield. “What a strange sentiment it is to end with that song, and yet it works so well. Musically, it’s an absolute grabber. There’s never been a song of hers more that I wanted to dislike that I love, totally against my will. ‘Karma’ is really strange that way.”
The second verse of “Anti-Hero” takes on even more resonance in our current Taylormania era, where Swift has somehow become bigger than ever.
“‘Slowly lurching towards your favorite city,’” says Spanos. “That’s been the entire Eras Tour. The actual significance of those lyrics In the context of where she is now is pretty insane.”
“The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Because she’s dead” bit of “Look What You Made Me Do” is particularly striking In the context of the Eras Tour.
After all, Swift spends the whole rest of the evening reviving every conceivable old Taylor. But in the end, maybe Swift is making yet another point about what it means to be human: Your old selves may indeed be dead, but they can always come back.
Download and subscribe to Rolling Stone‘s weekly podcast, Rolling Stone Music Now, hosted by Brian Hiatt, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts). Check out six years’ worth of episodes in the archive, including in-depth, career-spanning interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, Halsey, Neil Young, Snoop Dogg, Brandi Carlile, Phoebe Bridgers, Rick Ross, Alicia Keys, the National, Ice Cube, Taylor Hawkins, Willow, Keith Richards, Robert Plant, Dua Lipa, Questlove, Killer Mike, Julian Casablancas, Sheryl Crow, Johnny Marr, Scott Weiland, Liam Gallagher, Alice Cooper, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Costello, John Legend, Donald Fagen, Charlie Puth, Phil Collins, Justin Townes Earle, Stephen Malkmus, Sebastian Bach, Tom Petty, Eddie Van Halen, Kelly Clarkson, Pete Townshend, Bob Seger, the Zombies, and Gary Clark Jr. And look for dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with Rolling Stone’s critics and reporters.