Watching The ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ Film In India Was A Full-Blown Concert Experience In The Movie Hall

As I walked into the theatre to watch ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ film in a Noida multiplex, there was an odd sense of jittery excitement in the air. For years, Swift fans, or ‘Swifties’ as they call themselves have pleaded for a live show in India, but there's never been one. This movie was their only chance to witness the record-breaking Eras Tour, and they seemed to have come all ready to make it a full-blown concert experience.

In keeping with themes from the singer’s many iconic songs, and eras, I spot fringed dresses, all-black ensembles, glittery eyes, and lavender jackets around me. People posed in front of the ‘next show’ LED board which announced the film. I see stacked friendship bracelets on many hands, which are soon exchanged with other Swifties.

The hall is more than 80% full, with a majority of young girls giggling, making reels, and discussing Taylor trivia with fellow fans. It’s no surprise that the hall is almost full, given that the movie saw 25,000 advance ticket sales, and was poised for box office success.

Directed by Sam Wrench, the 2-hour 45-minute film is a work of art.

The lights dim, the iconic countdown clock from the actual concert appears on screen and shrieks and screams erupt through the hall. For the next three hours, what I witness is a celebration of fandom, and absolute frenzy.

‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ Enables Strangers To Become Friends

The canopies covering her on-screen come off, and Taylor starts to sing ‘Miss Americana’ and I see everyone singing along.

But it’s the second song, ‘Cruel Summer’ that brings forth the real concert vibes to the theatre. When the singer asks “Does anyone here know the lyrics to this bridge?”, the hall echoes a resounding ‘Yes!’ and soon everyone is up in their seats, screaming out the iconic bridge at the top of their lungs.

‘Lover’ starts to play, and the flashlights come on. Two rows in front of me, a couple comes closer in embrace and sways to the tune.

To the upbeat popular numbers like ‘Love Story’ and ‘You Belong With Me’, the entire hall is on their feet dancing their heart out.

Just like the reels from screenings around the world showed, ‘Willow’ comes on, and the girls go down to the front. They know what they're there to do, the reels describe it as "cult behaviour". They hold hands and jump around in a circle.

Two girls dressed in brown and grey shimmery tops catch my eye. They take turns dancing and singing along, while the other records them in action on camera.

What strikes me the most is how strangers have now become friends, taking turns recording each other and of course, mouthing every single word from the songs.

The ‘Eras Tour’ Boasts of Stunning Production

I’d watched the endless reels on social media of the US leg of the live tour, but none of it comes close to watching the film captures. Every emotion, dance move, and detailing is visible. You can see Taylor’s bewilderment when fans scream her name. You smile each time the background dancers of backing vocalists come on screen because they seem to be enjoying performing as much as the audience is enjoying watching.

The production is quite phenomenal. One section has Taylor diving into the stage, and seemingly swimming through it to the other side. The ‘Folklore’ era has a whole house covered in moss set up, and the first song starts with Taylor sitting on its roof. A multi-layered elevated stage, incredible lighting and fantastic performances captured in detail make for a stunning viewing experience.

As she ends with ‘Karma’, half of the hall is down to the front, doing her signature steps. The other half has their cameras out, attempting to capture every moment before it ends.

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The credits roll out, and yet, the audience sticks around to watch the behind-the-scenes footage that accompanies it. Simultaneously, I spot numbers are exchanged, and plans being made of trying to catch another show of the film.

Watching this film was the first time I went to a movie theatre all by myself. While I had walked in alone, a little nervous, I wasn’t alone at all as soon as the movie started. Swifties had welcomed me into their clan, and for three hours, I had been part of a community, celebrating the megastar and her music in the best way possible.