All the Eras Tour fan chants and rituals you need to know and practice
From trading friendship bracelets in the crowd to fan chants screamed out during specific songs, these are all the rituals you need to know – and practice – ahead of Taylor Swift’s show.
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It’s a mad rush of friendship bracelet-making and outfit finding for Swifties statewide as the countdown to pop megastar Taylor Swift’s touchdown in Melbourne ticks nearer.
Swift’s sold out Eras Tour is hitting the MCG for three three-and-a-half hour shows of non-stop, absolute fan heaven, with hundreds of thousands of fans ready for a night out with their idol.
Whether you’ve been with her since her 2006 debut or you just recently jumped on board the hype, make sure you’re in the know with the ins-and-outs of the Eras Tour before Swift takes to the ‘G.
The luckiest number is 13.
If there’s one number you’ll see plastered everywhere – written on hands, bags, nails, pins, posters – it’s Swift’s lucky 13.
The music legend says 13 has shown up all her life, including her birthday December 13 and her first song to hit number one on the charts having a 13-second introduction.
Swift also wore a glittery 13 on her hand for the Fearless and Speak Now tours, prompting many fans to paint one on as a tribute to her younger years.
Friendship bracelet frenzy
Thousands of homemade bracelets are expected to be traded throughout the Australian leg of Swift’s Eras tour, with the search term “friendship bracelets” more popular on Google this month than it has been since 2004.
The trend was set by just one lyric in the song You’re On Your Own, Kid from her 2023 album Midnights: “Make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it”.
Each bracelet features a Swift lyric, inside joke, album name or album colours, with popular references including “Junior Jewels” from the You Belong With Me music video and “Starbucks Lovers”, a mondegreen (misheard lyric) in Blank Space.
If the Melbourne shows follow tradition, Swifties will trade and giveaway bracelets throughout the show.
Surprise songs
Each show features an acoustic set where Swift performs two “surprise songs” not featured in her usual set list.
So if your favourite song isn’t in Swift’s 42-song line-up, you’ve still got a chance at hearing her sing it live.
Don’t forget these chants
If you’re keen to prove you’re a true Swift lover, you’ll need to know these fan chants and rituals before heading to the show.
The chants range from emphasising a few key lyrics in certain songs, to inside jokes and clapping at the right moment.
1. Delicate
One of the most popular fan chants originated from a Swiftie who filmed herself screaming out a countdown during the 2018 Reputation tour in a now viral video.
Lyrics: “We can’t make any promises/ Now can we, babe? / But you can make me a drink”
Fan chant: “One, two three, let’s go b----!”
2. Anti-Hero
In a remixed version of the song, Swift’s bestie and collaborator Jack Antonoff can be heard in the background telling the singer she’ll “be fine”.
The chant occurs in the second verse and replaces the lyrics “tale as old as time”.
Lyrics: “Did you hear my covert narcissism I disguise as altruism \ Like some kind of congressman?”
Fan chant: “Taylor, you’ll be fine”
3. You Belong With Me
Less of a chant, more of a clap – you might have to practice this one at home to really get the timing right. The double clap happens during the bridge.
Lyrics: “Oh, I remember you driving to my house / In the middle of the night / I’m the one who makes you laugh / When you know you’re ‘bout to cry”
Fan chant: *clap clap*
4. Willow
The chant happens during Swift’s dance break, right after the bridge in Willow. The chant emerged as a result of Swift’s choreography.
Lyrics: “But I come back stronger than a ‘90s trend”
Fan chant: “Summon the demons, b----”
5. Don’t Blame Me
For many Swifties, going to The Eras Tour will be like a religious experience, making this chant one of the most popular on the list.
Lyrics: “Every time you’re, every time you’re lovin’ me”
Fan chant: “Take us to church, Taylor!”
6. All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
During this beloved version, fans scream-sing some lyrics a little louder than the rest of the song.
Lyrics: “And you were tossing me the car keys...”
Fan chant: “F--- the patriarchy”
7. All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
In a 10-minute song, it should be expected that there’s more than one moment for fans to shine. Another one to practice to make sure the timing is right.
Lyrics: “You said if we had been closer in age maybe it would have been fine”
Fan chant: “How’d that make you feel?”
8. Style
While not as popular as some of the other chants, diehard fans have taken it upon themselves to provide a new intro for the 1989 hit.
Fan chant: “What time is it?”
Lyrics: “Midnight / You come and pick me up, no headlights”
9. Bad Blood
While Swift sings the original version during her shows, Swifties have been providing one of Kendrick Lamar’s lines from the remixed music video version as a fan chant.
Lyrics: “Band-Aids don’t fix bullet holes / You say sorry just for show / If you live like that, you live with ghosts”
Fan chant: “You forgive, you forget, but you never let it go”
10. Marjorie
A moment of quiet during the show, fans instead turn on their phone flashlights in tribute to Swift’s grandmother, whom the song was written about.
11. Fearless
Swift popularised holding up hand hearts during her earliest performances. Now the fans give it back to her.
Lyrics: “It’s the first kiss, it’s flawless, really something”
Fan chant: *hold up heart hands*
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