Madeline MitchellCincinnati Enquirer
It seems everyone is a Taylor Swift fan these days. But those of us who were there since the beginning − singing along to "Teardrops on My Guitar" from the backseat of our moms' minivans and saving up our allowances to order brown faux leather "Fearless" bracelets online − know just how special the fan-Swift relationship can be.
And the long-time, die-hard fans have special traditions, too, that new Swifties should know about if they're planning to attend Taylor's highly anticipated Eras Tour, which will stop in Cincinnati June 30 and July 1.
Here are seven chants and rituals to know going into the concert, so you can prove your devotion to Swift and feel part of the crowd.
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7 chants and rituals to know when attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour
'Delicate' chant
At the start of "Delicate," right after Swift sings "We can't make any promises now can we, babe? But you can make me a drink" the first time, fans have taken to yelling: "One, two, three, let's go b----!"
That's also a fan favorite phrase to spell out on friendship bracelets, which Swifties are making dozens of pre-concert to trade with other fans in the stadium.
'Bad Blood' chant
In 2015, Swift came out with a remix to her hit song "Bad Blood" featuring Kendrick Lamar. During the concert, fans bring back a line of Lamar's part during the bridge.
Twice, Swift sings: "Band-Aids don't fix bullet holes, you say sorry just for show. If you live like that, you live with ghosts." After the first round of this line, fans chant: "You forgive, you forget, but you never let it (beat) go."
'Anti-Hero' remix
In the "Anti-Hero" remix with Jack Antonoff, Antonoff sings "Taylor, you'll be fine" after Swift sings "Did you hear my covert narcissism I disguise as altruism like some kind of congressman?" in the second pre-chorus.
Fans are singing Antonoff's "Taylor, you'll be fine" at the same spot during the concert.
'You Belong With Me' double clap
During the "You Belong With Me" bridge, there are two consecutive beats fans like to clap on.
It comes right after Swift sings "I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're 'bout to cry."
'Shake It Off' triple clap
These claps come during the bridge, too.
After Swift says, "You could've been getting down to this sick beat," fans clap three times on the beat before launching into "My ex-man brought his new girlfriend."
Write '13' on your hand
Swift was born Dec. 13, 1989, and has long proclaimed 13 as her favorite number.
During her "Fearless" era, Swift wrote a blue "13" on her guitar-strumming hand for good luck at her concerts. The singer doesn't do this anymore, but long-time fans like paying homage to that era by writing a "13" on their own hands.
For the best results, outline the "13" with black sharpie on the back of your hand and color in with bright blue nail polish. Before the nail polish dries, sprinkle with blue glitter.
Light up the stands during 'marjorie'
Swift wrote the song "marjorie" for her grandmother, who was a professional opera singer.
At recent Eras Tour shows, fans have turned on their flashlights during this song, creating a sea of star-like lights for Swift to look out on as she honors her grandmother.
Honorable mentions
Of course, there are countless other special moments in Swift's three-hour Eras performance. And no two shows are alike, either − Swift typically sings two "surprise songs" during an acoustic section roughly two and a half hours into each show.
Many fans pride themselves on not missing a single lyric as they sing along to each and every song of the night. But there are certainly lines that ring out louder than others as fan favorites, so be sure to chime in:
- The first bridge of the night comes during "Cruel Summer." Look up the lyrics beforehand and be sure to sing the last line of the bridge the loudest: "He looks up grinning like a devil."
- A line in Swift's "You Need To Calm Down" is especially celebrated during Pride Month. Fans in the LGBTQ+ community and allies love to scream-sing: "Cuz shade never made anybody less gay."
- Swift herself mentioned in an interview with Apple Music that she couldn't wait to be in front of a crowd as they all sing "she would have made such a lovely bride, what a shame she's f----- in the head" in the song "champagne problems." And boy, have fans delivered on that one.
- It's great if you know all 10 minutes of "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)," but the line most fans put a little extra emphasis on is: "f--- the patriarchy."
- Another crowd favorite is in the bridge of "Blank Space," when Swift (and Swifties) sing: "Boys only want love if it's torture. Don't say I didn't, say I didn't warn ya."
- A dance move created and made popular by TikTok user @mikael.arellano made its way into Swift's choreography − and fans love it, too. During "Bejeweled," when Swift sings the word "shimmer," flutter your fingers out in front of you.
More Taylor Swift, Eras Tour coverage from the Cincinnati Enquirer
- Ohioans have a 'Blank Space' for a holiday ... and they'll write Taylor Swift's name
- Joe Burrow on Taylor Swift's Eras Tour shows in Cincinnati: 'Maybe I'll stop by'
- Look what you made me do: Reds move game time due to Taylor Swift show
- This is why we can't have nice things: Tips for avoiding Eras Tour ticket scammers
- $1,024 for a Days Inn room? Taylor Swift concert has Cincinnati hotels sold out
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- I went to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Chicago. Here's what I'll do differently in Cincinnati
