The sound of beads rustling on peoples' arms, heels clicking across the floor and excited chit-chat filled the AMC Harbison Theater in Columbia on Friday.
Taylor Swift fans, or "Swifties," across the country gathered in theaters in full force to watch the premiere of Swift's Eras Tour concert film. The widely anticipated Eras Tour movie premiered on Oct. 13, but some special showings were offered on Oct. 12 in a surprise announcement from Swift herself.
The near three-hour-long concert film spanned Swift’s eras, opening with her "Lover" era and closing with her most recent era, "Midnights." Fans were able to experience the tour entirely, including all the outfit changes, set designs and, of course, their favorite songs.
Madeline Hansen, a second-year aerospace engineering student, is the founder and president of USC’s student organization, The Swift Society — a group of students who discuss and analyze Swift's song lyrics, among other artists.
Swift's music and recognized image as a female power figure in society has inspired Hansen in her own endeavors, she said.
“She's had to change and change over and over and over again and diversify herself in the music injury industry as a woman,” Hansen said. "I honestly kind of feel like that myself as a woman in engineering. I have to constantly be on everything. Because it's so — it's just challenging, honestly, because there's no females in my classes at all, like none."
An Eras-themed popcorn bucket and drink cup sit ready for customers to purchase at AMC Harbison 14. Taylor Swift fans gathered in theaters across the country over the weekend to attend the widely-anticipated Eras Tour concert film.
For some, the film was the first time they were able to experience the concert for themselves due to the demand for tickets. But fans now had the chance to watch Swift perform for three hours on her triumphant world tour.
Local high school student Olivia Grundler has been a Swiftie for years, but she missed out on tickets to the sold-out tour.
“I didn’t go to the Eras Tour, and so this is literally the dream, being surrounded with Swifties," Grundler said. "I was going to cry when (the theater employee) handed me the tote bag.”
As fans waited in their seats for the film to begin, the theater entertained them with Taylor Swift trivia games and Swiftie-themed commercials.
The film opened with Swift's widely recognized “It’s been a long time coming” introduction, and the theater filled with excited gasps.
Movie-goers sang along throughout the film and even danced with Swift, copying her signature dance moves and screaming out their favorite lines. Fans cried, sang and cheered in unison as Swift took the audience through highs such as “Cruel Summer” and solemn anthems such as “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)."
Swifties Lexie Rollins and Madison Pforr drove to Columbia together from Florence, South Carolina, just to see the movie premiere. Pforr said the movie was everything she had hoped for as a long-time fan.
“Oh my God — 10 out of 10,” Pforr said after the showing. “I’ve been a Swiftie since I was like seven, so this was like — my little Swiftie heart was screaming."
Fans continued to trade bracelets and sing along to songs as the crowd left the theater. For those who missed the movie this time around, it will remain in theaters for the coming weeks, or they can catch Swift live in 2024 as her Eras Tour continues.