Bathroom break
A three-and-a-half hour show places demands on the bladder. Swift sticks rigidly to the setlist, so plan in advance which “Era” you and your Swiftie mind missing the least. A sprint for Speak Now’s sole track, Enchanted? Or one of the seven for the recently released The Tortured Poets Department? Choose wisely.
You have 10 full minutes to wee during the legendary lengthy track All Too Well, if you can cope with the ostracisation that will follow due to you leaving during arguably her best song.
Chants, lyrics and rituals
If you’re not already familiar with them, you’re not likely to be able to learn all of Swift’s lyrics before the weekend. If you’d like to join in somehow, the easiest and best way would be learning the bridge to early track Cruel Summer (from “I’m drunk, in the back of the car…”) to prove your credentials and just dance your way through the rest of the show.
If you can’t sing Fearless, you can still join in the ritual of holding your “heart hands” high (make the shape of a heart with your hands during the song.) Hold your phone light up for Marjorie, a tribute to Swift’s grandmother.
Do a double clap during You Belong With Me, and join in for the “three, two, one, let’s go, bitch!” chant at the start of Delicate, and flutter your fingers during the “shimmer” lyric in Bejewelled. You might even earn brownie points for helping to initiate a “DUB-LIN” chant during the bridge of Blank Space.
It’s wise to come armed, literally, with friendship bracelets. These are handmade jewellery featuring lyrics, song titles and references from the world of Swift.
Unmissable moments
A likely non-negotiable for the Swift lover in your life will be missing the “surprise” songs – roughly from 10.30pm each night. The most anticipated part of the show, where Swift plays at least two “surprise” tracks from her extensive back catalogue. A fan-favourite would be You’re On Your Own Kid or Exile, while Swift may also choose a song with an Irish link like Sweet Nothing, which references a trip to Wicklow.
Taylor Swift’s favourite Irish counties weaved into bespoke cardigan
If you don’t recognise the song, an excited scream for the opening bars should cover you. Other show highlights include during the song 22, when a lucky young fan is always chosen to receive Taylor Swift’s hat. Or at the end of We Are Never when backing dancer Kam usually replaces the American lyric “like, ever” with a local take. (In Scotland, “nae chance”; in Sydney “like, naur”). In Dublin, possibly “feck off”? And, if a certain American football player is present in the Aviva, listen out for a line in closing track Karma referencing “a guy on the Chiefs, coming straight home to me”.
Local currency
It’s wise to come armed, literally, with friendship bracelets. These are handmade jewellery featuring lyrics, song titles and references from the world of Swift. An easy way to assimilate is by trading and swapping them with other fans. Most fans will come dressed as their favourite “Era” – each of Swift’s 11 original studio albums is a different era. For those without a costume at this relatively late stage, a DIY junior jewels T-shirt (your Swiftie will advise) gives you an easy Fearless era costume. Aged rockers or erstwhile goths can easily repurpose some black outfits from their youth and ta da, you’re in your Reputation era.
Surprises
Last weekend in London, Swift delighted fans by bringing her boyfriend Travis Kelce on stage as a backup dancer. No matter how well-known and regimented the show is, there is always room for surprises at the Eras Tour.
A big moment would be Swift using her Dublin dates to announce her anticipated re-release of the iconic Reputation album. You’ll likely know this is happening if she appears on stage for the Reputation era, which starts with the track Ready For It? and everyone starts freaking out and screaming about the fact she’s in a new jumpsuit. (just trust me, it would simply take too long to explain and still make little sense afterwards.)
For those who haven’t been to a Swift show before, the greatest shock of all might be how much you enjoy it. Joy is infectious, and there will be plenty of it in the Aviva this weekend. Any lingering nerves, uncertainty or inhibitions? Just shake it off.
