Taylor Swift’s concert docuseries, “The End of an Era,” recently debuted on Disney+. It features a deep dive into the iconic trek of her Eras Tour. The 149 dates took the tour over five continents. It broke all conceivable records, international music records and grossed upward of $2 billion in ticket revenues. The six-episode series delves into the creation of and change ignited by the tour. At the same time, it reveals the behind-the-scenes machinations that have led to its unquestionable triumph.
In the series, Swift reflects on the challenges faced during the tour, describing it as “harder than anything I’ve ever done in a live setting.” Her commitment to her crew bubbled to the surface when she revealed $197 million in bonuses were coming. The last thing she wanted was for anyone who participated in the tour to feel underappreciated for the invaluable, enriching contributions they made.
Swift went out of her way to show her appreciation, taking the time to personally thank each crew member with handwritten messages. Each letter, sealed with wax on each corresponding envelope, was delivered by her father, Scott Swift. He also handed out checks to members of Shomotion Trucking Company, the tour’s logistics partner.
Everyone who worked on the crew, I’ve written each of them an individual note by hand. She’s so right as it took me a couple weeks to realize, and as Taylor explained in docuseries Miss Americana, it’s actually wicked fun to write the notes.
Her dancers, including Kameron Saunders, then took turns reading a few of these especially touching messages as they were illuminated—creating a beautiful, emotional moment. One note addressed to Saunders expressed the emotional journey shared throughout the tour:
“Dearest Kam: We’ve traveled the world like we set out to do. We’ve dazzled the crowds, but we’ve missed family too. My full gratitude doesn’t come from a bank, but here’s [bleeped] dollars just to say thanks. Love Taylor.”
This small but impactful gesture went a long way in further building that sense of community and appreciation among the crew. Swift emphasized the significance of acknowledging their hard work: “A bonus day is so important, because setting a precedent with the Eras Tour is really important to me because people who work on the road, if the tour grosses more, they get more of a bonus.”
Her loyalty to her team went beyond monetary compensation. In her communications back home, she focused on the toll on family and the time away from home life under such a grueling tour. “It’s fun to think about everybody’s lives that they’re going to go back to, and the time off they’re going to have, and, you know, the kids they haven’t seen because they’ve been away for months,” she noted.
As Swift celebrates her 35th birthday, she continues to inspire not only through her music but by recognizing the efforts of those behind the scenes. The docuseries is a testament to her amazing life’s journey. It honors the people whose work and sacrifice made her success possible.
