The Eras Tour (Austen’s version) - Episode 30
I can’t believe that the time has finally come but this weekend marks the final weekend ever of the Eras tour.
I was challenged by my friend Caitlin to create my own Eras Tour setlist based on the songs I wish were played at the Eras Tour compared to what Taylor actually performs.
Join me as I curate the Eras Tour (Austen’s version) with 44 songs and 2 surprise songs.
Create & consume:
What I’m creating this week: brainstorming and compiling ideas for all end of year content on YouTube, blog and podcast
What I’m consuming this week: Harry Potter movie marathon
In this episode:
This was based on the 2024 Eras Tour setlist, which changed slightly from 2023. I was challenged to put together my own list of 44 songs that I would want to see performed at the Eras Tour and to include at least one from each era and two surprise songs
I kept all of the the albums/eras in order but slotted in Taylor Swift between Speak Now and reputation since it was not included in either official Eras Tour setlist.
Lover
Taylor’s version:
Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince (shortened)
Cruel Summer
The Man
You Need To Calm Down (shortened)
Lover
Austen’s version:
Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince
Cruel Summer
False God
Thoughts: Lover is one of my least listened to albums, so I wanted to keep the beginning of the show the same and slot in False God, which is one of my favorites from the album.
Fearless
Taylor’s version:
Fearless (shortened)
You Belong With Me
Love Story
Austen’s version:
You Belong With me
Fifteen
Fearless
The Way I loved you
Thoughts: I loved the Fearless era and even if it was left as is, I’d be happy. However, I made a few swaps to add in Fifteen and The Way I Loved You, which are two of my favorite songs based on lyrics.
Red
Taylor’s version:
22
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
I Knew You Were Trouble
All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
Austen’s version:
Red
22
Come Back…Be here (shortened)
All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
Begin Again
Thoughts: I kept my two favorite moments from the Red set with 22 and ATW (the 10 minute version) but I also mixed in some other favorites from the album that I feel don’t get enough hype that could be elevated by the Eras Tour visuals and set design.
Speak Now
Taylor’s version:
Enchanted
Austen’s version:
Mine
Back to December
Enchanted
Long Live
Thoughts: Speak Now is one of the best Taylor albums in my opinion, so I wanted to correct this era which only had one song in it and mix in some of the top tracks from this career-defining era.
Taylor Swift
Taylor’s version:
Nothingggggg
Austen’s version:
Our Song
Should’ve Said No
Picture to Burn
Thoughts: There seem to be a lot of theories about why Taylor skipped Debut in the setlist, but I think that these three songs deserve their place in the lineup.
reputation
Taylor’s version:
…Ready For It?
Delicate
Don’t Blame Me
Look What You Made Me Do
Austen’s version:
…Ready for it?
Don’t blame me
Getaway Car
Dress
Call It What You Want
Thoughts: This was another era where if it were left as is, I think I’d still be pretty happy but I wanted to add in a few of my favorite tracks from the back half of the album.
FolkMore
Taylor’s version:
cardigan
betty
champagne problems
august
illicit affairs (shortened)
my tears ricochet
marjorie (shortened)
willow
Austen’s version:
the last great american dynasty
august
invisible string
willow
Champagne problems
gold rush
‘Tis the damn season
Thoughts: Because Taylor combined the folklore and evermore eras, I wanted to include a good mix of songs that I felt covered the range of music and great lyrics from these two albums. I landed on three from folklore and then the first four tracks from evermore.
1989
Taylor’s version:
Style
Blank Space
Shake It Off
Wildest Dreams (shortened)
Bad Blood (shortened)
Austen’s version:
Blank Space
Wildest Dreams
Style
Thoughts: 1989 is an album that could easily be its own concert (and it was, I saw it!) but if I were to choose three tracks that I felt deserved a permanent place in the Eras Tour Setlist, it’d be these.
TTPD
Taylor’s version:
But Daddy I Love Him
So High School (shortened)
Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?
Down Bad
Fortnight
The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived
I Can Do It With A Broken Heart
Austen’s version:
Down Bad
So Long, London
But Daddy, I Love Him
Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?
I Can Do it With a Broken Heart
The Prophecy
Thoughts: Seeing the TTPD set of the Eras Tour gave me insights and clarity on how I felt about the album as a whole, so I kept a lot of songs in the mix because I loved the visuals and threw in two favorites that I felt were overlooked in the setlist
Surprise songs
Austen’s version:
Teardrops on my Guitar (guitar)
Timeless (piano)
Thoughts: I wanted to choose one song for younger Austen (the first Taylor Swift song I ever heard) and one song for adult Austen (our wedding song.)
Midnights
Taylor’s version:
Lavender Haze
Anti-Hero
Midnight Rain
Vigilante Shit
Bejeweled
Mastermind
Karma
Austen’s version:
Anti-Hero
Maroon
Bejeweled
Karma
Thoughts: The Midnights album as a whole isn’t a super consistent story for me, but there are a few clear bops and bangers that I felt deserved a spot in the setlist and keeping in line with Taylor’s version, I chose to close the show with Karma.
In summary:
All in all, I had 22 songs that overlapped with Taylor’s version of the Eras Tour setlist. What would your Eras Tour setlist look like?