It’s hard to fully capture or explain the Taylor Swift phenomenon. On the surface, it might seem straightforward: a pop star takes over a major city with 65,000 fans attending three nights in a row. But at a deeper level, The Eras Tour is something truly unique. A pop star with a following akin to that of jam bands like Phish or The Grateful Dead is quite rare in 2024. As someone with a long history of following these kinds of movements, I can say this compares to—and, to be honest, even surpasses—the impact of those long-standing communities.
Shot By Katie LaRocca for River Beats NOLA
While there were no Deadheads on this tour, thousands of self-proclaimed ‘Swifties’ filled the arena. Some fans were experiencing their first show, while others proudly claimed this was one of a dozen they’d seen over the past 5-10 years. I saw Swifties trading friendship bracelets like they were ‘Kandi’ at a 1990s rave, with fans of all ages singing along to every song. For three and a half hours, the venue was packed with non-stop energy, typically reserved for touchdowns. The Eras Tour brought that same electric atmosphere for three consecutive nights.
Shot By Katie LaRocca for River Beats NOLA
On the first night of The Eras Tour in NOLA, the River Beats NOLA team joined 65,000 other fans in an unforgettable crowd, and we were not disappointed. Swift delivered a mesmerizing 3.5-hour performance, celebrating her impressive 18-year career. The atmosphere was electric, with fans dressed in Mardi Gras colors, echoing Swift’s vibrant stage decor during her 1989 set.
Swift surprised fans with live renditions of Haunted and Call It What You Want, sparking speculation about her upcoming re-releases and which eras might receive her ‘Taylor’s Version’ treatment next. The night was filled with anticipation and excitement as Taylor’s set combined nostalgic classics with fan favorites, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
New Orleans Welcomes Taylor
Taylor and her team’s talent for creating an unforgettable experience was on full display, and New Orleans welcomed it wholeheartedly. It felt as if the entire city had been preparing for The Eras Tour for months.
From the giant friendship bracelet display outside the Superdome to crowds of Swifties joining karaoke sessions on Bourbon Street, New Orleans truly came alive.
Shot By Katie LaRocca for River Beats NOLA
Both city officials and local businesses worked to make New Orleans shine for the weekend. Shops embraced Taylor Swift’s style, dressing up their storefronts with themed decor and merchandise to delight visiting fans. Restaurants across the city unveiled Taylor Swift-themed menus, and venues across The Big Easy planned parties to match the energy of the actual show. It was a total transformation across the entire city.
Whether coordinated by the city or simply inspired by the community’s enthusiasm, it’s clear New Orleans wanted to leave a lasting impression on Swift’s fans during this special event.
Taylor ended her three-night run in NOLA with a great thank you post on Instagram this week, and honestly, New Orleans owes her a big thank you as well. See the post below, and check out some of the awesome photos our team took from night one of The Eras Tour in New Orleans.
Shot By Katie LaRocca for River Beats NOLAShot By Katie LaRocca for River Beats NOLAShot By Katie LaRocca for River Beats NOLAShot By Katie LaRocca for River Beats NOLA
You can check out our full coverage on our Instagram HERE. Including both fan-shot videos and photos by our team. Shot By Katie LaRocca for River Beats New Orleans.
It’s hard to fully capture or explain the Taylor Swift phenomenon. On the surface, it might seem straightforward: a pop star takes over a major city with 65,000 fans attending three nights in a row. But at a deeper level, The Eras Tour is something truly unique. A pop star with a following akin to that of jam bands like Phish or The Grateful Dead is quite rare in 2024. As someone with a long history of following these kinds of movements, I can say this compares to—and, to be honest, even surpasses—the impact of those long-standing communities.
While there were no Deadheads on this tour, thousands of self-proclaimed ‘Swifties’ filled the arena. Some fans were experiencing their first show, while others proudly claimed this was one of a dozen they’d seen over the past 5-10 years. I saw Swifties trading friendship bracelets like they were ‘Kandi’ at a 1990s rave, with fans of all ages singing along to every song. For three and a half hours, the venue was packed with non-stop energy, typically reserved for touchdowns. The Eras Tour brought that same electric atmosphere for three consecutive nights.
On the first night of The Eras Tour in NOLA, the River Beats NOLA team joined 65,000 other fans in an unforgettable crowd, and we were not disappointed. Swift delivered a mesmerizing 3.5-hour performance, celebrating her impressive 18-year career. The atmosphere was electric, with fans dressed in Mardi Gras colors, echoing Swift’s vibrant stage decor during her 1989 set.
Swift surprised fans with live renditions of Haunted and Call It What You Want, sparking speculation about her upcoming re-releases and which eras might receive her ‘Taylor’s Version’ treatment next. The night was filled with anticipation and excitement as Taylor’s set combined nostalgic classics with fan favorites, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
New Orleans Welcomes Taylor
Taylor and her team’s talent for creating an unforgettable experience was on full display, and New Orleans welcomed it wholeheartedly. It felt as if the entire city had been preparing for The Eras Tour for months.
From the giant friendship bracelet display outside the Superdome to crowds of Swifties joining karaoke sessions on Bourbon Street, New Orleans truly came alive.
Both city officials and local businesses worked to make New Orleans shine for the weekend. Shops embraced Taylor Swift’s style, dressing up their storefronts with themed decor and merchandise to delight visiting fans. Restaurants across the city unveiled Taylor Swift-themed menus, and venues across The Big Easy planned parties to match the energy of the actual show. It was a total transformation across the entire city.
Whether coordinated by the city or simply inspired by the community’s enthusiasm, it’s clear New Orleans wanted to leave a lasting impression on Swift’s fans during this special event.
Taylor ended her three-night run in NOLA with a great thank you post on Instagram this week, and honestly, New Orleans owes her a big thank you as well. See the post below, and check out some of the awesome photos our team took from night one of The Eras Tour in New Orleans.
You can check out our full coverage on our Instagram HERE. Including both fan-shot videos and photos by our team. Shot By Katie LaRocca for River Beats New Orleans.