The Enduring Legacy Of The Folklore Era On Taylor Swift's Eras Tour: A Deep Dive Retrospective

The *folklore* era on Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour has cemented its place as the most critically acclaimed and emotionally resonant segment of the entire show. As of late 2025, with the tour now a historical cultural phenomenon and its cinematic version widely streaming, the introspective, narrative-driven segment continues to inspire deep analysis and fan adoration. The "Folkmore" section, which brilliantly merged the two surprise 2020 albums, provided a necessary emotional grounding in the three-and-a-half-hour spectacle, trading in the glitter and pop anthems for a journey into the woods of fictional characters and raw, personal confessions. The sheer genius of the *folklore* performance lies in its commitment to the album's cottagecore aesthetic, transforming the massive stadium stage into an intimate, moss-covered cabin setting. This era, a stark contrast to the preceding *1989* and *Reputation* eras, offered a moment of quiet, powerful storytelling that continues to be dissected by fans and critics alike in the years following the tour's conclusion. The segment’s enduring legacy is a testament to Swift's unparalleled ability to weave complex narratives that feel both deeply personal and universally understood.

The Definitive *folklore* Eras Tour Setlist and Narrative Arc

The *folklore* era, often combined seamlessly with its sister album *evermore* to form the "Folkmore" segment, was a masterclass in theatrical staging. The setlist was meticulously curated to build a single, cohesive narrative, taking the audience from a moment of quiet reflection to a powerful climax of cinematic heartbreak. The core setlist for the *folklore* segment remained consistent throughout the tour, a deliberate choice to preserve the album's emotional continuity:

• "cardigan": The opening track, establishing the love triangle narrative from Betty’s perspective. It set the tone with its dreamy, melancholic piano arrangement.
• "betty": The apology from James, performed on the acoustic guitar, bringing the fictional high school drama to the forefront. This song’s inclusion was a direct nod to the album's narrative core.
• "champagne problems": A stunning, emotional piano ballad that captures the devastating moment of a rejected proposal, a fictional story that resonated deeply with the crowd.
• "august": The centerpiece of the love triangle, telling the story from the perspective of the "other woman." Its transition from a gentle intro to a soaring, cathartic bridge was a major highlight.
• "illicit affairs": A brief but intense interlude that served as an emotional bridge, detailing the secrecy and pain of a forbidden relationship.
• "my tears ricochet": Widely considered one of the most powerful vocal performances of the night, this track was a dramatic, visually stunning representation of a funeral and a bitter farewell.
• "marjorie": A tribute to Swift's opera-singing grandmother, Marjorie Finlay. The stadium lights up with phone flashlights, creating a powerful, collective moment of remembrance.
• "willow": The transition song, signaling the shift into the *evermore* era, with its dynamic choreography and enchanting stage visuals.

The Introspective Aesthetic: Outfits and Stage Design Deep Dive

The visual identity of the *folklore* era was a deliberate pivot from the high-gloss glamour of Swift’s previous tours, embracing the pastoral and introspective mood of the album. This aesthetic was crucial to the segment's success, making the massive stadium feel like a secluded, intimate space.

The Iconic Cabin and Moss-Covered Piano

The stage design was centered around the famed folklore cabin, a rustic, A-frame structure that was a direct callback to the album's cover art and the Long Pond Studio Sessions. Swift would begin the set emerging from the cabin, or sitting atop its mossy roof, establishing the theme of isolation and storytelling. The moss-covered piano was not just a prop; it was a character in itself, grounding the performance in the earthiness of the cottagecore aesthetic. The simple yet powerful staging allowed the lyrical complexity of the songs to take center stage.

The Flowing Gowns: Alberta Ferretti's Vision

Taylor Swift’s wardrobe for the *folklore* segment was designed by Alberta Ferretti, featuring ethereal, flowing gowns that embodied the Victorian nightgown imagery Swift herself had referenced. The dresses were typically in neutral tones—ivory, cream, or soft grey—often featuring delicate lace, sheer layers, or a subtle cape-like detail.

• The Cream Gown: The most frequently worn dress, a long-sleeved, lace-adorned gown that perfectly captured the homespun style and melancholic beauty of the album.
• The Beaded Bodice: Another variant featured a heavily beaded bodice with a flowing skirt, adding a touch of shimmering magic that was visible even in the back rows of the stadium.
• The Introspective Look: The overall look was soft, grounded, and deliberately anti-pop star, which is why the era resonated so powerfully with fans who embraced the earthy and rustic vibes.

The Surprising Power of the *folklore* Surprise Songs

The surprise song segment was a fan-favorite feature of The Eras Tour, and the *folklore* album provided some of the most emotionally charged acoustic moments. Because the core setlist only featured a handful of tracks, the surprise songs offered a chance for other beloved folklore entities to shine. The rarity of these performances only amplified their emotional impact. Tracks like "mirrorball," performed on the first night, became instantly legendary, with the simple staging allowing the song's themes of anxiety and performance to feel incredibly vulnerable. Other deep cuts, such as "the lakes," a bonus track, and the devastating "hoax," were often performed on the piano, turning the massive stadium into a hushed concert hall. The inclusion of these tracks demonstrated Swift’s commitment to celebrating every corner of the album's deeply layered narrative.

The Cinematic Legacy: Why *folklore* Works Better on Screen

A key retrospective analysis in late 2025 has focused on how the *folklore* segment translated to the Eras Tour concert film. Critics and fans agree that the segment arguably works *better* on the big screen than it did live. The camera’s ability to zoom in on the intimate set pieces—the folklore cabin, the mossy piano—and capture the raw emotion on Swift’s face during tracks like "my tears ricochet" and "champagne problems" added a layer of depth missed in the live, stadium-scale view. The cinematic version allows viewers to fully appreciate the dramatic staging, from the haunting choreography of "willow" to the quiet, powerful use of lighting during "marjorie," making the Folkmore era the true emotional anchor of the entire film experience. It transformed a stadium performance into a piece of filmed theatrical art, ensuring the folklore era’s legacy as a masterpiece of storytelling will endure for years to come.