It’s me, hi. I’m the Aussie, it’s me.
Your Swiftian Theory guide this month is me, Kate Leaver. An Australian living in London, questioning all the life choices that meant she wasn’t present for the Sydney-Melbourne Eras tour dates.
The FOMO is excruciating, right? They looked SO GOOD.
Taylor ate pasta at a restaurant near where I used to live. She fed kangaroos at a zoo not far from where I grew up. Her hair was powerless against the Australian humidity, just like mine has been my whole life.
I am jealous to my bones that every second person I know went - in some cases, multiple times.
So, I thought I’d ask a few of them for vibe checks and outfit pics. Here, please, tend to your jealousy with these little tales of pure joy. Lots of love xx
First, we’ve got darling icon Michelle Andrews. Her Swiftie credentials are outstanding: She’s co-founder of Shameless Media and host of magnificent pop culture podcast, Shameless. She and her co-host Zara McDonald regularly get complaints for talking about Taylor too much, which is just the right amount.
Name: Michelle Andrews
Age: 29
Gateway album: 1989! I remember hearing a radio station play the album in full on the day of its release. I drove around aimlessly for an hour just so I could hear every song.
Fave era: Reputation! I went to the concert and it was epic. (Important: Not sure if it’s my fave era because I genuinely think it’s the best, or if I felt - and still feel - defensive of it because it’s the era that copped the most criticism.)
Date of concert: 16th of February (Melbourne MCG)
Describe the vibe: Pure elation! I’ve never seen so many joy-filled, excited, friendly women and girls in one place before. If only I could bottle the feeling.
Best moment: All Too Well 10-minute version
Feelings, thoughts, reactions: Honestly just… ugh! I feel so lucky that I got to experience the Eras Tour. Part of me wishes I went a second time, but then my little sister reminded me that our night was perfect; something that couldn’t be beaten. Despite public chatter that we need to put our phones away more, I’m so grateful that I have photos and videos to look back on. Also cannot WAIT to devour the movie with my friends.
Outfit deets: Reputation, baby! My green crop top is Dyspnea, leather shorts are Agolde and boots are Tony Bianco. Little snake clip thingys from Amazon!
Next, we have epic cutie Lucille McCart. She is an angel, she is director of communications at Bumble Australia/Asia, she is wearing bejewelled lavender gloves.
Name: Lucille McCart
Age: 33
Gateway album: Reputation (I was a singles girl prior)
Fave era: Reputation + Lover
Date of concert: 26 Feb 2024, Sydney
Described the vibe: like the Olympics for girls, gays and theys. Unbridled excitement, bulk sequins and no aggression or dickheads. A perfect experience
Best moment: an acoustic mash up of Forever and Always and Maroon
Feelings, thoughts, reactions: everything Ms Swift did was extremely camp, practiced and intentional. I loved every minute of it. It’s so cool to witness a woman openly enjoy her own success. I also never realised what a great tune Enchanted is
Outfit deets: cape and gloves are Dypsnea and skirt is Sneaky Link 💜
And now, glorious treasure Hannah Diviney. Hannah is editor-in-chief of Missing Perspectives and author of the book I’ll Let Myself In - oh and one time she campaigned for Lizzo and Beyonce to take ableist slurs out of their songs and they did. Incredible.
Name: Hannah Diviney (@hannahthewildflower on Instagram)
Age: 24
Gateway album: Fearless
Favourite era: Speak Now (maybe??? It’s impossible to choose)
Date of concert: Sydney Night 1 & 2 (23rd + 24th of Feb)
Describe the vibe: Unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It was so joyous and friendly, creative and free. The costumes I saw were incredible. The kindness and excitement of trading friendship bracelets. The absolute unapologetic loud love given to Taylor and received in return from that stage was a force for good I think.
Best moment: This entire tour is a love letter to herself, her art and to anyone who has ever heard a song of hers and felt seen by it. Perhaps it was most obvious in All Too Well (10 Minute Version,) the centrepiece of the show and almost like thesis statement behind it. Other highlights included long live, fearless and the surprise song section (still processing the implications of those mashups).
Feelings, thoughts, reactions: I was struck by the fact that every reference, whether from costumes to stage design comes from Taylor’s brain and her work ethic, her imagination and drive. It’s kind of mind boggling.
I thought I understood the scale of this show having watched pieces of it on livestreams for over a year but they only scratched the surface. For her to perform 3.5 hours night after night on her longest most extensive stadium tour, there’s no one even close…
Next up? Delightful genius Dr Nancy Lee. Nancy wrote her PhD thesis on celebrity chefs and social media. She recently presented a paper at Swiftposium, which was a close reading of Taylor’s lyrics using the framework of bell hooks’ work.
Name: Nancy
Age: 37
Gateway album: Red
Fave era: Midnights
Date of concert: Sat 17 Feb, MCG
Describe the vibe: happiest place on earth
Best moment: Rep has never been my fave but it really brought the energy at the concert! Also the pyrotechnics were pretty amazing during Bad Blood. Also ‘naur’ in Never Ever was very clever
Feelings, thoughts, reactions: I had a big Taylor WEEK thanks to three days of Swiftposium and being around so many smart Swifties. It was the best, 2024 has already peaked for me. Taylor is an absolute pro. I cannot fathom how she sustains herself through these epic shows. I have thought of myself as a fairly chill Swifty in the grand scheme of things but I very nearly cried when she came on stage, so it’s official - my love is forever and undying (but I’ll still point it out if she is being problematic precisely because i love her so much)
Outfit deets: sequined mini skirt and black cami - I was going for neutral sparkles i.e. Midnights
Last but not least, we’ve got fabulous legend Bree Player. She is features director at marie claire australia and recently edited a special Taylor Swift edition of everybody’s fave teen mag, Girlfriend. She also, if you can believe, went to Eras FIVE TIMES.
Name: Bree (middle, with Harriet and Sammy)
Age: 39
Gateway album: Taylor Swift
Fave era: Midnights
Date of concert: I was lucky enough to go to night one in LA and all four Sydney shows
Describe the vibe: The closest thing we’ll get to Barbieland
Best moment: Impossible to say just one, when Taylor arrives on stage for the first time, the Rep set which just goes off and my tears ricochet which became a top ten song for me after seeing it live.
Feelings, thoughts, reactions: It was everything I hoped it would be and more. No other artist or concert could ever come close to the production, spectacle and pure joy Taylor achieves night after night.
Outfit deets: Sydney night four I wore a custom dress inspired by Taylor’s famous rep tour jacket. I already owned the black slip dress and then I sourced the patches from Etsy and my talented aunt hand stitched them on. I accessorised with Gucci sandals and snake jewellery from Lovisa. Harriet’s newsprint dress is from Universal; Sammy’s set is from Showpo.
Over and out for today, lovely Swift fans. Please, share your outfit pics with us if you’ve already been! Discuss outfit plans if you’re yet to go! The Swiftian Theory crew are going in June and I am already trolling Satu by hinting that I might wear something from the hyper-rainbow Lovers era.
Get up in the comments, reply, send this on to anyone you know who is partial to a bit of Taylor Swift.
So much love from Swifties for the Versace Eras Lover bodysuit and yet none for the authentic Lover-era high-waisted acid rainbow gradient three-way lace up shorts and yellow t shirt combo. Curious.
Interested to know which one was everyone's favourite mash up - I think for me it has to be Ivy/WCS as they are two of my favourites. But the Forever and Always/Maroon performance was maybe the best? She just seemed like she *felt* it. I adored New Year's Day/Peace too but I was too sad too appreciate. lol xx