Transfixed on Taylor Swift: Her Stage Presence, Fan Connection, and More

Shining just for her.

Photo by Niedermueller Photography / Getty Images / TAS Rights Management

One hundred and twenty-four thousand. 

That’s how many people gathered to see Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour in Munich, Germany. 

And no, I don’t mean over the course of a few days. 

At just the first Germany show, approximately 124,000 people spent their Saturday evening with Swift and her crew. Aside from the 74,000 people inside the stadium, around 50,000 Swifties sat atop a hill, overlooking the show from just outside the stadium. 

The second and final night Swift performed in Munich, this trend continued. 

123 shows of The Eras Tour later, Swift is not tired and neither are Swifties. From watching grainy live streams, following instant updates on social media, to making friendship bracelets at home while watching The Eras Tour on Disney+ for the 13th time, you don’t need to be in the stadium at one of Swift’s shows in order to feel her incomparable presence and the all-encompassing love her fans have for her. 

The hill of Swifties.

Photo by Niedermueller Photography / Getty Images / TAS Rights Management

The question is: how? 

What does Swift do for Swifties, and what do Swifties do for Swift to create this unbreakable and nearly unfathomable bond? How is Swift’s tangible stage presence, not to mention global presence, different from other stars? 

Aside from the fact that Swift has been in the business for almost two decades, she hasn’t just been in it. She’s become it. Redefined it. Through inviting fans to “secret sessions” to listen to albums before their official release, creating secret messages through capitalized letters and phrases on vinyls and CDs, and defining albums as “eras” for Swifties to claim as their own with costumes, merch, and music, Swift extends her hand to fans and says, “You’re the reason.” 

Additionally, Swift’s tours break records and bring Swifties together from all around the globe. Looking at The Eras Tour specifically, this tour changed what it was like to go to concerts. 

Swift and her team hand-pick Swifties from the crowd to have a moment with Swift during the “22” performance and be gifted her iconic black hat, hand-signed by Swift. Creative costumes inspired by songs, eras and albums, quotes, Swift’s outfits, and more, ornament Swifties at every show, representing the love that Swift always sings about wanting – one that lasts. 

Swift, face-to-face, with love that will always last.

Photo by Gregor Fischer / Getty Images / TAS Rights Management

The Eras Tour costumes would not be complete without their accessories: friendship bracelets. Inspired by Swift’s song “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” the invisible strings decorated with unique beads and familiar songs and phrases connect Swifties that probably never would’ve met otherwise. Surprise songs and mash-ups that heal, shock, and bewilder have Swifties at every concert looking at each other with jaws agape, knowing that everyone around you knows exactly what you’re feeling. Strangers become friends at Swift’s shows. Strangers become friends when you see someone else in Swift’s merchandise. Swifties will always become friends. 

Swift has proven to go above and beyond for her fans, inside and outside of shows, and Swifties don’t hesitate to return the favor. Through fan-executed projects such as signs held up in response to “The Archer” lyric, “Who could stay?” that say “WE WILL STAY,” to balloons made into “light-up orbs” mimicking props used during Swift’s performance of “willow,” Swifties extend their hand back out to Swift saying, “You’re our reason too.”

The orbs that inspired.

Photo by Andreas Rentz / Getty Images / TAS Rights Management

Aside from the unparalleled, two-decade-long connection Swift and her fans have, Swift has one key quality that commands the stage and ignites her presence. 

Being herself.   

Accidentally swallowing bugs and not being afraid to laugh about it or simply coughing them up. Sneezing. Wardrobe malfunctions. Messing up lyrics. All while doing it in front of thousands upon thousands of people with a smile and a confidence we all chase and aren’t surprised she has.

Combined with her innate confidence, Swift’s sheer talent keeps Swifties on their toes when she’s performing. From her dancing, note changes in songs, to costume variations, Swift carries herself with boldness and certainty that she’s being herself, and that’s all the fans need. 

Her artistry and intelligence create a state of ecstasy based on transfixion, admiration, and being awestruck. As she performs, Swifties wait on her every word, every move, every breath, deciphering each as a possible Easter egg for future surprises.

During the opening speech for “The Man” performance at The Eras Tour, the crowd goes wild at Swift’s fingertips as she points towards different areas of the stadium, commanding an electrifying roar instantaneously. During other speeches such as the one before her performance of “betty” and also “champagne problems,” Swift turns off her performing persona, but claims the crowd just the same. She comments on what she sees in the crowd, everyone on the edge of their seat hoping to be noticed. She talks to concert-goers like new friends – with comfort, yet excitement. Her genuineness is tangible. 

Swift and her fans have a transactional relationship, based on giving and receiving love on both ends. 

Swift during her “betty” speech, smiling as if she’s talking to friends.

Photo by Noam Galai / Getty Images / TAS Rights Management

Swift gave us our childhood back. Now we stay young, dressing up in costumes, exchanging friendship bracelets, and believing in the power of a woman’s art. Swifties gave Swift a reason to leave her later childhood behind, chase her dreams two decades ago, and believe in the power of her own art. 

Swift has tirelessly built and given herself to a connection with her fans through her art for nearly 20 years, and Swifties undoubtedly return the favor, forever and always.  

Whether it’s a reason to chase dreams, grow up, stay young, make friends, or anything in between, Taylor Swift and her fans know that through each other, there’s always something to give, and something to gain.

Swift accessorized with a bracelet from a fan.

Photo by Gregor Fischer / Getty Images / TAS Rights Management

Aside from the extraordinary, genuine connection Swift and her fans have, Swift is unapologetically herself, which builds the foundation for authentic love between her and her fans, on and off stage. 

Whether Swifties are watching The Eras Tour in the stadium, on Disney+, a grainy live stream, or atop a hill, they’ll never not be transfixed by Taylor Swift and her talent. 

And Swifties know, Swift sees them too.

She sees them all, shining just for her.

Photo by Andreas Rentz / Getty Images / TAS Rights Management