Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Docuseries Captures the Phenomenon Behind the Music

A behind-the-scenes look at the cultural force that reshaped touring, streaming, and fandom

There are approximately 100 tribes worldwide known as uncontacted people who intentionally avoid the outside world. They live in places such as the Amazon rainforest, New Guinea, and India’s North Sentinel Island, and at this point, they are probably the only humans on the planet who have no idea who Taylor Swift is. For the rest of us, we have spent the last few years being informed of the pop star’s every move. She took the world by storm with her Eras tour, so much so that her tour seemed to boost the economies, at least temporarily, of every city she performed in and was coined “Swiftonomics.”

In 2023, she even took over the box office with her concert film, which grossed over $250 million, and now she has conquered streaming with a six-episode docuseries on Disney+ about the Eras tour. Called The End of an Era, the series gives fans a backstage look at every aspect behind the scenes, from concept artwork to choreography and from technical lighting to backup dancers, backup singers, and the band. The first two episodes were released on December 12, 2025. Episodes three and four were released a week later, and the last two, originally scheduled for Christmas Day, have been moved up to December 23rd.

Episode one, Welcome to the Eras Tour, deals with many of the technical aspects of creating the show, including learning choreography, rehearsals, blocking, and run-throughs leading up to opening night. It also delves into the aftermath of cancelling the Vienna shows due to a planned terrorist attack and how it affected everyone, especially Taylor. Episode two, Magic in the Eras, focuses on integrating songs from The Tortured Poet’s Department album into the show, highlights two of the backup dancers — Kameron Saunders and Amanda Balen — and touches upon the now-infamous nearly $200 million in bonuses she gave out to everyone who works on the Eras Tour.

Episode three, Kismet, reflects on Taylor’s drive and determination, even from a young age, to be a performer. Her mother discusses going to Nashville after playing local fairs and events, and how it shaped Taylor and the rest of the family. Stylist Joseph Cassell experiments with new costumes, and backup singer Jeslyn Gorman discusses missing a portion of the tour to be treated for breast cancer. Weather concerns also play a part in this episode. The fourth episode, Thank You For the Lovely Bouquet, touches upon Taylor’s relationship with her now fiancé, Travis Kelce, and highlights dancer Whyley Yoshimura, who performs as a swing in the “…Ready For It?” number, which is notable since the song was previously only performed with female dancers.

With so much already displayed for fans, one could only wonder what Taylor has up her sleeve for the final two episodes. Don’t get me wrong, her devoted fanbase will tune in regardless, but from what we have seen so far, Taylor and her team promise to make it memorable. Episode five, Marjorie, once again takes a look at young Taylor and how her grandmother influenced her, and how Taylor is acutely aware of her fans and how much she wants to make sure they have a good time. Finally, episode six, The End of an Era, wraps up the tour documenting the emotional rollercoaster of the final three shows from Taylor’s perspective, the crew’s perspective, and the fans’ perspective.

Directors Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce do a terrific job of balancing what audiences witnessed and what it takes behind the scenes to pull it off. They not only focus on Taylor but on the support talent — dancers, singers, band, and technical personnel — offering a glimpse into what a show of this size and complexity truly requires. Ultimately, it is clear that everyone on the tour wanted fans to walk away with an experience, which is precisely what Argott and Joyce, along with Swift, emphasize throughout the docuseries.

As Saunders eloquently states, people come together for three and a half hours and hopefully leave looking at the world “differently, better, warmer, more giving, more kind, more tolerant…”. That, perhaps, is the real phenomenon and magic of the Taylor Swift machine.

Grade: A-