Pop star Taylor Swift brought her “Eras” tour to Detroit’s Ford Field on Friday for the first of two sold-out back-to-back concerts — once again proving to be an absolute powerhouse performer, delivering a whopping 44-song set.
Before the doors opened, the streets flooded with thousands of Swifties, many discussing theories about which surprise songs might be included in the set, or exchanging friendship bracelets. Fans in attendance at Ford Field even included rapper Flavor Flav, who is now a part-time Detroit resident.
The Eras tour breaks down Swift’s discography into an array of mini-performances, each paying respects to her past albums. Making headlines and viral TikToks the whole tour, her fans’ dedication to their Eras outfits is unmatched. They channeled the Fearless era with sparkly gold dresses paired with cowboy boots, while some fans chose deeply woven Swift references, like a video after she got Lasik eye surgery in 2019, wearing bear pajamas, plastic goggles, and holding a banana. Other outfit inspirations included Swift’s iconic “Junior Jewels” T-shirt and flannel pajama pants from the “You Belong with Me” music video, or her show-stopping Lover sparkly bodysuit. (See photos below.)
During her set, Swift reminisced about her history with the venue, saying that the first time she ever performed at Ford Field was in 2006 at a Lions game to sing the national anthem. “I was 16 years old, and it was the biggest place I’ve ever seen in my life,” she said. “I was absolutely losing it. So nervous. Freaking out. And now we’re back on the Eras tour.” It’s safe to say her confidence and fanbase have grown wildly.
Swift’s Lover era, filled with glowing purple and pink decor, opened with “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince” as adoring fans belted their hearts out. The Lover set was particularly welcomed among fans, as many felt the loss of the tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while Swift’s fantasy albums Folklore and Evermore delivered an alluring storyline of her characters James, Betty, and Inez. Stopping to quickly blow her nose before a still perfect rendition of “Champagne Problems,” Swift joked, “It might not be the last time it happens, I’ll just warn you.”
Despite getting over a cold, Swift showcased incredible stamina, not missing a beat, on top of having 13-plus outfit changes throughout the show. —Mary Napier
