Taylor Swift: As the Eras Tour bows out, what will she do next?

Taylor Swift, the renowned pop star, has recently concluded her monumental Eras Tour, which has set numerous box office records and captivated an audience of over 10. 1 million fans. As she prepares to take her final bow in Vancouver this weekend, the atmosphere is filled with a mix of excitement and sadness. The Eras Tour, which was first announced in November 2022, has surpassed all expectations, featuring 149 shows across 53 cities and generating an astounding $2 billion in ticket sales. Taylor described this experience as 'the most exhausting, all-encompassing, but most joyful, most rewarding, most wonderful thing that has ever happened' in her life. In her newly released tour book, she reflects on the 45-song setlist that spans her entire career, inspired by her decision to re-record her first six albums, which rekindled her love for her earlier work. Throughout the tour, she performed in various weather conditions, from pouring rain to scorching heat, and even when she was feeling unwell or dealing with personal challenges. Fans from around the globe have come together to celebrate their love for Taylor's music, exchanging friendship bracelets and dressing up as their favorite 'Eras' while attending the concerts. Outside the venues, ticketless fans gathered in parking lots to sing along, creating a sense of community. At one memorable concert in Munich, an estimated 40,000 fans gathered on a nearby hill just to catch a glimpse of the performance, nearly outnumbering those inside the stadium. For many attendees, this was their first opportunity to hear these beloved songs live, leading to emotional reactions. Lauren Mayberry, the lead singer of Chvrches, shared her experience of attending the tour, stating, 'I did a lot more weeping than I expected. ' She expressed her excitement and emotional connection to the music, particularly during poignant songs like 'All Too Well' and 'The Archer. ' As the tour nears its end, Taylor has performed nearly all but six songs from her extensive catalog of over 270 tracks. Fans have eagerly followed the concerts online, participating in live streams and using a fan-created app to speculate on Taylor's outfits and surprise songs during her acoustic sets. This sense of community has been palpable, with fans supporting one another at the shows. For instance, at a concert in Wembley Stadium, taller individuals moved back to allow shorter fans a better view, a rare act of kindness in concert settings. The Eras Tour has also strengthened family bonds, as seen in the case of Michelle from Seattle, who is attending one of the final concerts with her daughter. She noted that the anticipation of the show has kept them connected, saying, 'I doubt even a week has gone by where we've not had a fun conversation about Taylor. ' As the tour concludes, many are left wondering what Taylor's next move will be. This tour has set a high standard for her future endeavors, and fans and critics alike are eager to see what she will do next. Bryan West, a dedicated Taylor Swift reporter, believes that Taylor is a forward-thinking individual and likely has her next few years planned out. He speculates that there may be a significant announcement during her final show, possibly revealing the long-awaited Reputation (Taylor's Version), the next installment in her re-recorded album series. However, fans have been anticipating this announcement for some time, and it has yet to materialize. West also mentioned that film crews have been spotted at many of the concerts, suggesting that Taylor may have been working on a documentary throughout the tour. In her new book, she hinted at new music, stating, 'See you next era. ' Additionally, there are rumors that she may pivot to film, as she signed a deal in December 2022 to direct a movie based on her original script. While the details have been scarce since then, fans are hopeful that she will return to directing in the near future. West has also tracked several trademarks filed by Taylor this year, including 'Taylor-Con' and 'Female Rage: The Musical,' which could indicate a variety of new projects, from television shows to Broadway productions. However, some believe that it is essential for Taylor to take a break after such an intense tour. Jack Saunders, the host of Radio 1's New Music Show, emphasized the importance of rest, stating, 'It's completely unrealistic to expect a human being to operate at the performance level that she has been doing for the last couple of years. ' He believes that taking time off is healthy for both Taylor and her fans. Taylor has hinted at her fatigue with the music industry, as seen in her song 'Clara Bow,' which critiques the industry's demand for new talent. Other songs express her desire for a more personal life, mentioning dreams of wedding rings and 'pushing strollers. ' Many speculate that she may take a year off to focus on her relationship with football star Travis Kelce. However, even if she takes a break, Taylor is known for her creativity and is always working on new ideas. Singer-songwriter Self Esteem expressed her hope that if Taylor returns to the studio, she will explore different genres and styles that she hasn't had the chance to try due to industry expectations. The Eras Tour has already been released as a film, but fans are eagerly awaiting a director's cut that includes new material added to the setlist in 2024. Whatever Taylor decides to do next, her fans are excited to see what the future holds. Michelle, who is attending the final concert, simply wants to cherish the last moments of this unique experience. She remarked, 'I love how the tour has brought people all over the world together. ' As the tour comes to a close, she is curious about Taylor's next steps but is content to wait and see, knowing that whatever Taylor does next, it will be something to celebrate.