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Meet the Swifties on the train to Gillette Stadium
Fans on the Commuter Rail shared their outfits and preparation for Taylor Swift's opening night in Foxborough.
Getting to Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour concert at Gillette Stadium is no easy feat.
For many fans who wanted to take the train to Foxborough, tickets ran out quickly, and they had to make new travel plans. But a number of concert goers did secure a ride on the Commuter Rail, which runs roundtrip from Boston to Foxborough, ahead of Swift’s shows on May 19, 20, and 21, and from Providence on May 20 and 21. A total of 7,800 train tickets were sold.
We wanted to capture what it’s like to be on a train full of Swifties headed to the Gillette show. Boston.com took the train from South Station to Swift’s opening performance at Gillette on Friday, and we spoke with fans on board. Carrying handmade signs, wearing spectacular outfits, and ready to make some memories, Swifties of all ages were full of excitement for the concert. We caught up with many of them and asked for their favorite eras, what they chose to wear, and what Swift lyrics they love the most.
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Below, meet some of the Swifties we spoke with on the train ride over, and read about what the experience was like on the way to Gillette.
Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Emily Berry
What’s it like to be on the train to Gillette?
“This is the most exciting experience of my life. I’ve never seen Taylor live and I’ve been her fan since I was 10. And I’m 26. I feel like a 13 year old.”
What’s your favorite era?
“My favorite era is Midnights because I feel like I’ve grown with Taylor and that’s where she’s at right now.”
Tell us about your outfit.
“I’m wearing a sparkly jumpsuit and a skort. … I also gemmed these sneakers, one gem at a time.”
What’s your favorite lyric (or song)?
“From ‘My Tears Ricochet’: [And if] I’m dead to you, why are you at the wake? Cursing my name, wishing I’d stayed.”
Andrew Fisher
What’s it like to be on the train to Gillette?
“Unreal. I literally don’t feel like it’s real yet. I’m still in denial.”
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What’s your favorite era?
“Reputation!”
Tell us about your outfit.
“I actually bought this jacket off of Amazon. I hand-sewed it… same with the patches.”
What’s your favorite lyric (or song)?
“All of her lyrics! They’re just so meaningful and deep. ‘Don’t Blame Me’ is really good.”
Vianca Miller-Nelson
What’s it like to be on the train to Gillette?
“It’s really exciting, especially because [I’m with] some of my best friends… We were just singing, not too long ago, all together.”
What’s your favorite era?
“Lover is definitely one of my favorite eras as you can see from my outfit. I feel like Lover was one of the eras where I started to understanding her music from a romantic perspective.”
Tell us about your outfit.
“This is a Selkie dupe dress from Amazon… I cut it, and that’s where I got the bow from. My makeup is from a local makeup artist in Quincy.”
What’s your favorite lyric (or song)?
“Probably right now, the thing that comes to my mind, is ‘[Swear] to be overdramatic and true to my lover.'”
Christine Miller
What’s it like to be on the train to Gillette?
“It’s amazing. We’re so excited. We had goosebumps walking into the train station. It just feels magical.”
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What’s your favorite era?
“Lover. I love Lover because that’s one of the albums I grew up with. As she grew up, I grew up. I feel like I can relate to her going through all these phases.”
Tell us about your outfit.
“I just wanted to wear something fun and sparkly that gave the look of the era.”
What’s your favorite lyric (or song)?
“‘I’m so in love that I might stop breathing.'”
Hanah Albright
What’s it like to be on the train to Gillette?
“I’m literally shaking. I’ve been shaking all day. We rushed to get ready and make it here. It is anxiety inducing in the best way.”
What’s your favorite era?
“Right now, I’m very much in my Folklore era. … It honestly depends on the day.”
Tell us about your outfit.
“I actually went through three other dresses before I found this one on sale at ASOS. … It was a struggle to decide, for sure.”
What’s your favorite lyric (or song)?
“Favorite song right now is probably ‘Maroon,’ for just a good bop, and then ‘Champagne Problems,’ because that’s where I am in life, right now.”
Christine Ko
What’s it like to be on the train to Gillette?
“It’s very chill. Now that we’re on it, it’s very chill. The station was a little chaotic, but now it’s fine and great.”
What’s your favorite era?
“Red, obviously. But also Midnights. The last album was absolutely amazing.”
Tell us about your outfit.
“Some black, high-waisted shorts and a striped crop top. And then a red, sparkly blazer, because you have to have something sparkly.”
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What’s your favorite lyric (or song)?
“Currently in my head is a line from ‘Death [By] a Thousand Cuts,’ when she says, ‘Paper cut stings from our paper thin plans.'”
Lauren Austin
What’s it like to be on the train to Gillette?
“The vibes are immaculate. Everyone’s outfits are incredible. Everyone looks amazing.”
What’s your favorite era?
“My favorite era is Reputation, but Speak Now is a close second. I like how Reputation is very edgy, and it’s very different from anything she’s ever done. Speak Now is very true to who she is. That’s when I really became a diehard fan [with Speak Now], but I’ve been a fan since debut.”
Tell us about your outfit.
“I’m wearing a full outfit in white. My pants have feather cuffs on the bottom. And then my shirt is a mesh, gemmed-out top with feather cuffs on the wrists. And I’m wearing a white bodysuit under it. … I have gems in my hair. I have gems on my eyes and pink makeup.
What’s your favorite lyric (or song)?
“My favorite song is ‘Long Live.’ It’s about her fans. And it really resonates with everyone.”
Eric Gagnon and Richie McKay
What’s it like to be on the train to Gillette?
Gagnon: “It’s a little warm. Bathroom line is long. But it’s very exciting. The energy is very high, and everyone’s very excited to see Taylor.” McKay: “Happy not to be in traffic right now.”
What’s your favorite era?
Gagnon: “My favorite era would probably be Reputation.” McKay: “I think it’s got to be 1989 for me.”
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Tell us about your outfits.
Gagnon: “We were supposed to go to Lover Fest back in 2020, when it was canceled because of the pandemic. We felt it was appropriate to dress in the [style of the ] festival we were supposed to go to. McKay: “…We spent hours in the mirror doodling these hearts on our eyes.”
What’s your favorite lyric (or song)?
Gagnon: “‘Don’t blame me. Love made me crazy.’ I think that’s probably my favorite lyric.” McKay: “I don’t think I could pick. I can’t even think of one right now.”
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