Watching the huge commercial success of Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras’ tour showed what an exciting time this is for pop music, with Swift at the center,
When I interviewed the great Carly Simon for my Anthems We Love book last year, Simon talked about the camaraderie of her and her fellow singer/songwriters, recalling the likes of Harry Chapin, James Taylor, Carole King and more gathering to share songs with each other. For a lot of people who grew up in that time, or still love that music, it’s tempting to think of that as a golden age of popular music that is now impossible to achieve in this new music industry.
But watching Taylor Swift’s spectacular « Eras » tour come through L.A. for six sold-out shows at the massive SoFi stadium I would make the very strong argument we are in a new golden age of pop, with Swift at the center.
For starters, look at the artists that Swift surrounds herself with. Her « besties » HAIM, who are opening every show at Sofi, are superb musicians; she works consistently with the National, my vote for best band in rock today and unquestioned great songwriters, and the brilliant and daring Phoebe Bridgers, among others. And Swift is the bond that unites them all.
Swift’s « Eras » show is a stunning achievement, at 45 songs and more than three hours. She is an authentic and charming presence on stage as she speaks to the adoring throng, which she did often, expertly mixing pop dancing like in “Shake It Off” with her troubadour-like banter.
