Live Report: Taylor Swift brings the Eras Tour to Dublin

Taylor Swift alert as if you didn't know, the Eras Tour finally landed in Dublin last night, with the first of three shows at the Aviva Stadium.

We are in the realm of the unprecedented here. At the time of its first anniversary last March, Taylor Swift's 152-date phenomenon had grossed over one billion US dollars. It is the most lucrative set of gigs of all time, but also among the most oddly controversial, causing diplomatic disputes in – of all places – South East Asia! The Dublin Chamber of Commerce also recently pointed out that the concerts in the capital would provide a €35 million boost to the local economy.

In short, it’s a big deal to a lot of people for a multitude of different reasons. Swiftonomics aside, Irish fans have been waiting for this moment for over a year since tickets first went on sale.  The good news is that they weren’t let down – because, in live music terms, the Eras Tour is the spectacle to end all spectacles.

Swifties at aviva stadium by miguel ruiz.

The opening is like a fever dream. After a massive countdown clock on the screen strikes zero, dancers come out in a row, adorned in giant in sunset-pink floral petals. Swift emerges and Dublin erupts as she kicks into ‘Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince’ from 2019’s Lover.

She effects what seems like complete control over the 50,000-strong crowd. There is an almost cultish flavour to the devotion on display. She acknowledges one side of the crowd: they rise and roar. She says ‘Oh hi’ – and everyone giggles and returns it in what has the feel of rehearsed unison.

The shock – that this-is-really-happening – calms down after a crooning rendition of ‘Cruel Summer'. Now we are intothe realm of unadulterated joy.

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour at the Aviva Stadium on 28 June, 2024.
Photo Credit: TAS Rights Management.

There’s a number of superbly executed moving parts which go into making the Eras Tour so special.

The staging is a marvel of coordination, adding another dimension to the music. Sets disappear and reappear smoothly. ‘The Man’ sees the stage mimic an office, allowing Swift to deliver her critique of gender double-standards in theatrical fashion.

The dancers are a whole other level. Their athletic routines brim with humour and personality, and a local touch is added by dancer Kem Saunders, who offers a cheeky “póg mo thóin," as part of his standout performance.

After the Lovers segment comes a hit-heavy onslaught of songs from Fearless and Red, featuring crowd-pleasers like ‘22’, ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ and ‘Love Story', before ‘All Too Well’ arrives in all its ten-minute glory.

People remained on their feet for the entire evening, enthralled by the boundless energy on stage.

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour at the Aviva Stadium on 28 June, 2024.
Photo Credit: TAS Rights Management.

Make no mistake: Swift’s stamina is Springsteen-esque – and her stagecraft is a sight to behold. She can change the atmosphere and mood with an impression it's just the flick of a switch, from the ethereal and fairylike mood of Folklore to the edgier, attitude-filled Reputation. The singer maintains an enchanting figure throughout, seamlessly transitioning between goddess-like grandeur and approachable affability without breaking the illusion once.

The storytelling-heavy Folklore and Evermore segments, performed against the backdrop of a mossy green house, also resonated deeply with the Irish audience.

“You know this, but nobody does it like you Dublin," she says. Though perhaps the compliment is familiar, it feels genuine with the electric atmosphere at fever pitch.

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour at the Aviva Stadium on 28 June, 2024.
Photo Credit: TAS Rights Management.

The bangers from 1989 inject fresh excitement, with Swift donning a two-piece in the colours of the Irish flag. This record marked her transformation into pop superstar, and hits like ‘Blank Space,’ ‘Shake It Off' and ‘Style’ go down a treat with the casuals and diehards alike.

The part dedicated to The Tortured Poets Department , her most recent album, introduced a more introspective, sepia-hued tone over the stadium, before the Eras tour tradition of Swift playing a "surprise song" saw her delve deep into the archives with ‘State Of Grace’ from Red.

The night concludes on a high with the bops from the synth-swathed Midnights , featuring tracks like ‘Anti-Hero’ and an extended ‘Karma’. That is the coup-de-grace, leaving the audience in a state of genuine awe.

Incredibly, the three-and-a-half-hour spectacle seemed to pass in an instant. The Eras Tour is a meticulously crafted celebration of a remarkable career so far, masterfully knitting the threads of Swift's musical journey and showcasing the unwaveringly positive connection she has with her fans.

It is, undisputably, one of live music's greatest achievements.