The Era of Taylor Swift invades the Capital Region

Over the past year, with the release of her album Midnights, the world-renowned Eras Tour, and the Eras Tour movie, there has been no denying that Taylor Swift is indeed a Mastermind. Getting tickets to the tour, let alone the movie, is a near-impossible mission. Those who were lucky enough to participate in any Eras experience could be said to have survived The Great War. Though Swift did not come directly to the Capital Region as a part of her Eras Tour, many of us went to her, myself included. With this in mind, amongst other actions Swift has taken, there is no denying that Taylor Swift has made Sparks Fly within the Capital Region, as her Electric Touch has left our area with a notable impact.

Almost everyone I know either tried to get or got tickets to attend Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, regardless of if they were huge fans or not. Those who went into the show as moderate Swifties returned covered in Eras Tour merch from head to toe, somehow now knowing Swift’s entire discography. The Eras Tour was exhilarating, nostalgic, emotional, empowering, and overall such an impressive show. Each era is brought to life through visuals that transport the audience to that specific time, and Long Story Short, to fully grasp the iconic performance that Swift gave on this tour, you just had to be there.

However, if you missed out on seeing Taylor Swift perform live or if you simply want to Stay Stay Stay reliving the memories of when you saw Taylor, Everything Has Changed because you can now enjoy The Eras Tour right here in the Capital Region with the release of The Eras Tour Movie. Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated concert has graced Capital Region Theatres, from the renowned Regal Cinemas, Cinemark, and AMC Theatre chains to cherished local, independent movie houses like the Jericho Drive-Ins. After hitting theaters this past Friday, the ticket demand to see The Eras Tour film version has been incredible. Shows all over the Capital Region have been selling out day after day, and exclusive Eras Tour-themed merchandise, including a popcorn bucket, a cup, and a tote bag, have Swifties paying overpriced amounts with ease. I mean, I would, too.

However, The Eras Tour film is not the only thing Swift has enhanced The Capital Region with. After COVID outbreaks dissipated, Taylor Swift decided it was finally time to perform her then-newly-released album Folklore as a whole with her main collaborators on the project, The National’s Aaron Dessner and producer Jack Antonoff. They did so at Long Pond Studio, a peaceful and isolated recording studio in the forested Hudson Valley, New York. Swift then released the documentary Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions, which dives into the deeper meaning behind this phenomenal album, along with including a series of live performances that were recorded right here in The Capital Region. In her documentary, Swift describes recording at Long Pond Studio as being “the first time Folklore felt like a real album.”

To have an album like Folklore be so special to Swift herself and have it be so heavily assigned with The Capital Region is huge. This album is also a fan favorite, proven as Folklore broke the record for the biggest opening day on Spotify for an album by a female act, along with being my personal favorite as it showed us a new side of Taylor Swift. The lyrical imagery combined with the maturity and growth of Swift as an artist is what makes this album so special, and in my opinion, I think it is pretty incredible that Taylor recorded these songs right here in The Capital Region.

Ultimately, Taylor Swift’s impact on The Capital Region extends from the cultural sphere to the economic realm. Her concerts, musical influence, and now films have lasting imprints on the region. Swift’s presence continues to attract fans and even has contributed to the local economy through The Eras Tour film. Taylor Swift is undeniably the artist of the decade, and her effect, especially in The Capital Region, is Bigger Than The Whole Sky.