Taylor Swift's highly anticipated Eras Tour kicked off the European leg with much fanfare and numerous changes, delivering surprises for her dedicated fanbase. Starting her first show on May 5, 2024, at the Paris La Défense Arena, Swift introduced several revisions to her performance, including fresh outfits, new song arrangements, and stunning imagery.
Among the most talked-about alterations was Swift’s decision to merge her "Evermore" and "Folklore" sections. This new segment was dubbed "Folkmore," much to the delight of concertgoers. She packed the performances with her unique storytelling, which often touches on deep and personal themes. To accommodate her new set and the songs from her latest work, "The Tortured Poets Department," she trimmed some beloved hits from her previous eras.
This meant the removal of fan favorites like “The Archer,” “Long Live,” and “Tolerate It.” While some audience members may have been disheartened by this news, they were quickly won over by just how many new surprises Swift had up her sleeve. Among the new additions were intriguing tracks like “But Daddy, I Love Him,” “So High School,” and “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart.” Swift’s costume changes seemed to match the emotional tone of her songs, highlighted by her switch from a white dress to a dazzling black ensemble during the performance.
She kicked off the show wearing a sparkling red bodysuit, departing from the pink-and-blue outfit she originally donned for the tour. For the “Fearless” segment, she slipped on a black dress embellished with metallic fringe, showcasing both her fashion sense and the thematic essence of her music. Each outfit change seemed to resonate with the tone and energy of the performances, keeping the audience engaged.
Besides costume changes, visuals played a significant role this leg of the tour. Attendees were treated to imaginative graphics, including one particularly dramatic moment where Swift appeared to be abducted by aliens and another where her image was displayed with hollowed-out eyes—an artistic choice meant to evoke fascination and perhaps discomfort, drawing fans even more deeply involved with the performance.
Adding to the excitement, Swift surprised the crowd by performing two unexpected songs. She took to the acoustic guitar for “Paris,” one of the tracks from her "Midnights" album, and followed it up with “loml” from "The Tortured Poets Department," played on the piano. These spontaneous choices showcased her adaptability and kept the audience on their toes.
Throughout the night, fans revelled as Swift wove together 45 songs from her expansive 18-year career. The energetic atmosphere of the Paris La Défense Arena created the perfect backdrop for what many described as nothing short of magical. The tour will continue to make its way through Europe, with stops planned for Sweden, Portugal, and the U.K. by June.
While audiences eagerly anticipate the shows, Swift remains committed to delivering unforgettable experiences, no matter where her tour takes her next. She has acknowledged the uniqueness of her European performances and has promised to keep iteratively making her shows fresh for every city she visits. The entire Eras Tour is set to conclude with shows planned for Vancouver, British Columbia, as the tour reaches its climatic finale early December.
