Calling all Swifties! Of all the trips I could write about from this year alone, I wanted to start here. With eleven stops left on her tour, there is still plenty of time to see this unforgettable show and somehow, it keeps getting better.

I am a long-time fan, being born the same year and same state as Taylor, her music always resonated with me because of being the same age. My husband and I went to her iconic 1989 Halloween Show in Tampa, FL where she came out dressed as Olaf and Idina Medzel sang “Let It Go”, setting a very high bar for any other concert I would ever attend. So when her Reputation Tour dates were released, we jumped on the chance to see her again, this time in Philadelphia, PA, her hometown crowd. Unbelievable.

Fast forward several albums (and a pandemic) later, The Eras Tour is born. I tried to get tickets and a code, but I was seriously unprepared for the phenomenon that was also born with this new era of fans. I could not get tickets, not ones that didn’t cost THOUSANDS of dollars. I couldn’t do it. But then it began and through TikTok and friends posting their own videos and pictures, I realized what I was truly missing out on. FOMO at its best. The U.S dates were coming to an end and with family in England and a husband who flies to London weekly, I looked overseas and found a ticket that I could afford.

This trip was extra special, getting to fly with my husband as the pilot for the first time on a commercial flight. We flew out Friday night, landing at 6:30am Saturday morning in London, the day of the concert (night two of her London shows). We headed straight for the hotel to get ready. All dolled up in my 1989 outfit, we set out to tour as much of London as we could before I headed to the concert! This is where extra coffee and concealer was essential.

What To Know Ahead of The Eras Tour:

If you’re a Swiftie, or honestly if you have social media, you have most likely seen every angle of this show and more. Through grainy live-streaming and up close and personal views on TikTok, we all have gained access to this experience. But it just doesn’t do it justice. The bracelets that light up, the crowd chanting “MORE”, the surprise songs, the fans, and hearing it live is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. If you are lucky enough to attend one of the many shows left in 2024, here are my top 10 tips to make the most out of every moment!

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1. HAVE A PLAN:
   • If you have a standing room only ticket, you are most likely going to want to be there early, but don’t worry, you won’t need to lose crazy sleep to get to the front. Most stadiums do not allow camping overnight because it is simply not safe. Fans were able to arrive between 7-9am to get in line before the evening shows and still get a barrier spot. Just wear those cute sparkly, sneakers. You’ll be running!
   • If you want Merch leave PLENTY of extra time to get in line, it goes on for miles. Most cities are opening their merch tents days in advance, so if you are in the area ahead of time, do it then so you don’t have to worry about it and won’t have that extra bag to lug around the concert. You need freedom to dance!
2. LAY OUT YOUR ENTIRE OUTFIT THE NIGHT BEFORE:
   • You don’t want to forget ANYTHING the day of because you were rushing. The night before, lay out your entire outfit, including your bag, jewlery, shoes, bracelets, etc.
3. EAT AND STAY HYDRATED:
   • Think of this concert like the biggest workout of your life. You will be on your feet for hours and hours. You will be singing, dancing, and sweating throughout this 6 HOUR phenomenon (opening acts to closing of the show). You will need carbs to keep your energy high and lots of electrolytes to stay hydrated.
   • I brought Cliff Bars (https://amzn.to/4cBLHdX) and an LMNT (https://amzn.to/3y2AfZS) packet to add to my water bottle after eating a full meal before heading to the stadium. Check with stadium rules before packing your bags.
4. BRING PORTABLE CHARGERS:
   • I brought two portable chargers to get me through the concert AND to make sure I had enough juice to get me back to my hotel safely. You will want to document it ALL! Don’t miss out on recording your favorite songs, taking pictures of your favorite moments because you ran out of battery.
   • I also turned my phone on airplane mode during the concert to preserve battery – I was soaking it in and didn’t need to talk to anyone during this time!
   • Link to portable charger I used that really worked: https://amzn.to/3WixNI9
5. FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS:
   • I made approximately 50 bracelets to bring with me. Some people brought as many as me and some people had maybe 5 total on their wrists. I did not get to the stadium early enough to truly do a bunch of trading, but it’s a great conversation starter and I love the bracelets I brought home with me.
   • They are easy to make and I enjoyed the process way more than I thought I would. My daughters sat and made bracelets with me so that became a core memory leading up to the concert as well!
   • If you’re looking for an easy kit this is the one I used! https://amzn.to/3Y2chbU
6. USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT IF POSSIBLE:
   • If you are attending the London shows next month, the tube is SO EASY and the most efficient way out of the concert. I stayed through Karma but left as soon as it was over and had to wait maybe 10-15 minutes to get into the station and caught one of the first trains. I used Google Maps, typed in my destination and selected the mass transit option to give me what I needed to do to get home. Highly recommend for any major city!
   • Taxi’s and Cabs won’t be able to get close to the stadiums so don’t depend on catching an Uber home afterwards.
   • The most important advice I can give is to have a plan AHEAD of time! You and 90,000+ of your newest besties are all trying to get home. Know what you’re doing before you go; it will save you HOURS of time and it will keep you safe!
7. LEARN CHANTS AHEAD OF TIME:
   • This was such a fun part of the experience because you feel like you’re a part of the show!
     • You Need To Calm Down: Waving your hands (this made me cry – looking around during this song and watching 90,000 people all waving in unison. There’s nothing like it!)
     • Anti-Hero: She’ll sing “Did you hear my covert narcissism I disguise as altruism, like some kind of congressman?” You sing, “Taylor, you’ll be fine!”
     • Delicate Intro: “We can’t make any promises now, can we babe? But you can make me a drink,” and you yell “ONE, TWO, THREE! LET’S GO BITCH!”
     • Bad Blood Bridge: “If you live like that, you live with ghosts,” and you reply “You forgive, you forget, but you never let it go”
     • Don’t Blame Me: “Every time, every time, you’re lovin’ me,” you say “Take me to church”.
     • You Belong With Me Bridge: “I’m the one who makes you laugh when you know you’re ’bout to cry”, you respond with a double clap.
     • Marjorie: Get your camera flashlights ready!
     • Blank Space Bridge: SYDNEY! Or LONDON! Or whatever city you’re in!
     • Fearless: Hold up your heart hands after the bridge! 🫶🏼
     • All Too Well: Screaming “Fuck the patriarchy” with Taylor (It’s SO satisfying!)
     • Champagne Problems: Give this lady the standing ovation she deserves! The stadium was SHAKING in London y’all!
     • Shake It Off: Hand Claps (IYKYK)
     • I Can Do It With a Broken Heart: At the end of verse one sing “One, two three, four” and then she sings “All the pieces of me shattered at the crowd was chanting,” you scream, “MORE!”
8. RECORD EVERY MINUTE OF YOUR SURPRISE SONGS:
   • This is where it is YOUR concert. The piece that you don’t know about and you’re going to want to rewatch this moment from your perspective because your first reaction will just be anticipating what she is going to play. These are my favorite two videos I have. DO IT!
9. MAKE FRIENDS WITH THOSE AROUND YOU:
   • I went to this concert by myself and I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t nervous. This was WAY out of my comfort zone. I knew I would be safe, but it is generally not something I would do. However, I would go one thousand times over missing out on the concert altogether!
   • Trade bracelets, start conversations about peoples outfits (they are all AMAZING) and get to know those around you! You’ll have time to kill and will want ally’s while you run to the bathroom! It was fun learning where everyone was from and what they were most looking forward to!
10. SOAK IT ALL IN:
    • You have most likely taken months looking at tickets, planning or making your outfits, investing in the travel, reciting the songs (over and over and over) to learn the lyrics and the specific concert chants. It is now that you get it take it all in and sing your freaking heart out.

All three Taylor Swift concerts I have attended have blown away any other musical performance I have ever been to. Like her or not, the work of art she creates when she shares her music is truly a masterpiece. The fact that I got to experience this with my husband as my pilot in a whirlwind of a weekend at one of her most iconic sets to date, was a dream. I feel very fortunate to add this to my list of adventures this year and I highly recommend that if you get the chance to go, you GO!

If you are attending any of her final shows, please let me know which show you are attending and if you have any questions! I am SO excited for you!

If you are sitting this one on the sidelines, this is far from her last show. That the phase of life you are in is an important one and when an opportunity presents itself in the future, you will be ready to accept whatever adventures you sat out previously! You still SHINE! ✨

Thanks for stopping in! Let’s stay connected and see the world together!