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Like any good Swiftie, I trained my mind, body, and spirit for the Eras Tour by listening to a three-hour playlist of every song Taylor Swift performs during her mega-concert.
It was sort of like training for a marathon (cardio included during my at-home dance sessions) and meant that by the time concert day arrived, I was prepared for each and every era and all of the emotions that came with them... Or was I?
Naturally, Eras did not disappoint. To see this superstar perform live, singing selections from every one of her unique albums, was not to be missed. I jammed to "Don't Blame Me" and sang my heart out to "My Tears Ricochet."
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The audience energy during the "Cruel Summer" bridge was unmatched, and the eons of Swifties handing out friendship bracelets made a massive stadium venue feel like a tight-knit community.
My friend and I left the concert on a high. As we processed what we had just witnessed while trying to exit a crowded parking garage, I remember asking, "Wasn't she supposed to sing 'Shake It Off'?" To which my friend replied, "She did." So, why could I not remember it?
According to Time Magazine, memory loss after the Eras Tour is a legitimate thing Swifties are experiencing. "It’s hard to put together what you actually witness," said one concert-goer. "You’re having all these emotions while your favorite songs are playing, and you’re like, 'Wow, where am I?'"
Another fan told Time that finally attending Eras felt like "an out of body experience" that was hard to recall. The proof was in that $950 dent to her wallet.
While diving into this strange craze of Taylor Swift amnesia, Time also spoke with Ewan McNay, a psychology professor at University at Albany in New York, for insight on why so many fans are forgetting key moments of the performance.
"This is not a concert-specific phenomenon — it can happen any time you’re in a highly emotional state," McNay said. "If you’re slightly on edge, with a little bit of excitement, you’ll actually remember better. But too much excitement pushes you over the edge in terms of memory formation, and you’re unable to make memories."
This is due to your brain releasing a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine, which helps your body form vivid memories of an experience that carries a lot of emotional weight. Too much of this neurotransmitter, however, can cause your brain to have a difficult time fully forming new memories.
McNay also notes that this phenomenon is common during major life experiences like a wedding. Despite it being so anticipated, couples often leave not remembering certain segments of their special day.
If you are a Taylor Swift fan lucky enough to have landed tickets during The Great War of Ticketmaster, it's no wonder that the Eras Tour has become so highly anticipated.
This, along with the fact that fans are getting their first Taylor tour since 2018, is enough to ramp up a Swiftie's adrenaline tenfold. Since the artist's Lover tour was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, Eras includes hits from that album, older albums, and the three latest albums: Folklore, Evermore, and Midnights.
For many fans, this is quite the norepinephrine overload. During the concert, you're hit with Fearless nostalgia, Reputation fierceness, all of the Red feels, and everything in between.
So, if you find yourself leaving an exciting concert with a couple of memory gaps, you're definitely not alone.
I may not remember a single ounce of "Shake It Off," but I'm shaking that off since there are so many other fun memories from my Eras experience.
Calling all of my fellow Swifties! If you attended the concert, did you find yourself experiencing post-concert amnesia, or do you remember everything all too well?
Share your story in the comments below!
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