PITTSBURGH – As a self-proclaimed Swiftie, I convinced both my parents to open Ticketmaster on all of our devices to buy tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
After hours of waiting and sheer frustration, we secured two tickets for a reasonable price, seats in the very back of the nosebleeds for the June 16 show at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
I attended the Eras Tour with my dad. We arrived early to watch both of the opening acts, Gracie Abrams and Girl in Red.
Although the stadium was still filling up, the energy for both acts was electric.
Over 70,000 people poured into the area, glittery costumes and cowboy boots galore.
Fans wore friendship bracelets stacked to their elbows, ready to trade with other Swifties. Lines at the stalls selling merchandise wrapped around corners, boisterous and exciting.
The setlist was long: 44 songs over three and a half hours. Still, I found myself screaming along to all of Swift’s lyrics for the duration.
As fans entered the stadium, they grabbed light-up wristbands. Over the course of the concert, the bracelets turned the crowd into a beautiful accompaniment to the extravagant set and effects on stage.
Swift took us on a journey through most of her musical ‘eras,’ performing fan-favorite songs from almost all of her albums.
She changed into different costumes for each segment of the show, starting in a sparkly bodysuit, and moving to a glitter-covered blazer, a two-piece ensemble, and two colorful dresses.
Near the end of each show on the tour, Swift plays two acoustic songs. Fans don’t know which she will play until the concert. On her first night in Pittsburgh, she played two of my favorite songs: “Mr. Perfectly Fine” and “The Last Time.”
I felt an incredible sense of community, surrounded by thousands who knew and loved the same music.
As Swift continues the international leg of her tour, I’m thrilled for more fans to share such a truly magical experience.
Sreehitha Gandluri is a Correspondent with Youth Journalism International.
More 2023 summer concert reviews from YJI:
When Taylor Swift brought The Eras Tour to Mexico, the crowd went wild
