The Eras Tour - Gelsenkirchen, Taylor's Version
You shine. Taylor Swift appears out of nowhere on stage, sings the first words of the evening into a gleaming microphone. Then she spreads her arms and smiles at the crowd. Nearly 60,000 fans, from all over the world who have traveled to the unassuming Gelsenkirchen, are now completely unable to hold back. It's cheered, screamed, even wept.
During the first songs, which are from her album "Lover", Swift sings and dances over the seemingly endless long stage. Then the 34-year-old pauses and says the words that so many here have been waiting for: "Gelsenkirchen, welcome to the "Eras Tour"!"
The following applause Swift lets take effect. Complete ecstasy is normal for her - wherever she appears, she is frenetically welcomed by her "Swifties". For over a year, the singer has been traveling the world with her "Eras Tour". It's a musical journey through her creative phases - each "Era" (Epoch) is given its own stage design. The show aspires to be called understated: 45 songs are on the setlist, and a concert lasts for three hours.
Even Gelsenkirchen
That this massive production is not being staged in Berlin, but three times in Gelsenkirchen, caused international ridicule beforehand. US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel joked that no one had ever heard of "Gelsenkirchen, Germany". "Maybe it doesn't even exist."
Fans from the USA, Canada, South Africa, and many European countries can now convince themselves of its existence. As the "main gain" for the image of Gelsenkirchen, cultural scientist Jörn Glasenapp described the Swift concerts beforehand. The city reported that the hype around the "Eras Tour" was even greater than the interest in the football European Championship matches in Gelsenkirchen.
Neighboring Popstar
In terms of Pop Perfection, Swift sets new standards with the "Eras Tour". That she never comes across as arrogant or too distant in her gigantic production is largely due to one thing: Swift is friendly, and there's a human being behind the professional. Her true strength as a Pop Artist lies in making that sense of familiarity always accessible.
When she enjoys the standing ovations after the ballad "Champagne Problems" for minutes on end, makes faces with her dancers, or simply her famous smile, it's endearing. One believes that she enjoys playing this show - here, in Gelsenkirchen. Just as the people in Mailand, Zurich, Amsterdam believed a few days ago.
Ask Swifties in line for the arena what they are so fascinated by about this Popstar, and the most common answers are: "She's real." "She's like a sister." "I look up to her." These answers are no coincidence. Swift and her team have been working on perfecting her image as a Superstar Next Door for years through fan events and social media posts.
Two Albums "Taylor's Version" are missing
The "Swifties" as a fan community show their strength in the example of "Taylor's Version": After a dispute with her old label, Swift began to re-record her first six albums to regain the rights to them. The fans have already ensured several times that the new old music broke streaming records.
Now, two more re-recordings are missing: "Reputation" (2017) and her debut album "Taylor Swift" (2006). It's possible that she will release one or both albums during the ongoing tour. It's also possible that she will complete the project "Taylor's Version" only after the tour is over.
What comes after the "Eras Tour"?
Against this, what seems completely open is the question of how Swift intends to advance her career. The "Eras Tour" has catapulted the already famous singer to a level with few comparisons left. US musician Billy Joel, in reference to the "Beatlemania," spoke of a "Swiftmania." How far can this euphoria be raised?
A new album would be the simplest step. In her younger past, Swift has also expanded her artistic palette, appearing as a director in several music videos. The industry magazine "Variety" reported on a film deal with the studio Searchlight Pictures.
At least many fans hope for private happiness - a wedding and family with her boyfriend Travis Kelce. The two have been a couple for over a year. Kelce seems to have also visited Gelsenkirchen in one of Swift's lodges, according to pixelated photos and videos on social networks. It's been a long time since his first visit to one of his lover's concerts. At one of Swift's performances in London, the NFL star was even part of the choreography on stage.
It's clear that the "Eras Tour" will still end this year. Swift had already announced this at the 100th show in Liverpool in June.
The "Eras" happiness machine
Swift is a pop machine, and naturally, there's enough criticism of it. There are her private jets - bad for the climate. Her exclusive deals with giants like Ticketmaster and Live Nation - bad for the music industry. However, what cannot be doubted is the sense of community that Swift's machine reliably produces.
The "Eras" happiness machine works in Nashville as in London, in Singapore as in Buenos Aires. And it even makes an appearance in Gelsenkirchen for a few hours in colorful pulsating light. Two more shows are still waiting in the Ruhr area before Swift plays four more shows in Hamburg and Munich in Germany.
- Despite international ridicule caused by jokes from Jimmy Kimmel about never hearing of Gelsenkirchen, fans from the United States of America, Canada, South Africa, and numerous European countries have now experienced its existence during Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour'.
- During the concert in Gelsenkirchen, Taylor Swift pays tribute to different eras of her music career, each being represented by unique stage designs, as part of her extensive 'Eras Tour' across various countries.
- Jörn Glasenapp, a cultural scientist, described the Taylor Swift concerts as a significant boost for Gelsenkirchen's image, claiming that the hype surrounding the 'Eras Tour' was even greater than the interest in the football European Championship matches in Gelsenkirchen.
- Swift's music from her album "Lover" is highlighted during the concert, with songs being performed on an extensive stage, in front of a bustling crowd of nearly 60,000 people in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
- Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' offers a perfect blend of pop music, performances, and human connection, ensuring an enjoyable experience for fans despite the gigantic production, through her friendly demeanor and familiarity with the audience.
- Fans from various countries, such as Germany, South Africa, and the United States of America, have traveled to different locations to witness Taylor Swift's live performances throughout hers 'Eras Tour', making it an international phenomenon in the pop industry.
