Eras

Timing is funny. Its poetic nature is something that never fails to make me laugh in the middle of a silent workday. I point this out because there is maybe the perfect crossover in timing for two of my favorite things about to take place.

Some friends have encouraged me to drop this post because a pretty iconic artist is coming to MetLife Stadium this weekend. Naturally, I’m referring to Taylor Swift and the current Eras tour she’s on, which is well-poised to become the highest-grossing tour of all time.

I was fortunately one of the very, very lucky crowd to get tickets in a chaotic sale that has led to a government intervention. Until three years ago, however, I wouldn’t have given much notice to the tour as it wasn’t until that time that I became such a huge fan. During quarantine, a pretty cool person told me Taylor dropped a new surprise album called folklore. I binged-listened to it the next day primarily just because I wanted to be able to talk about it with her. However, after listening, I was both stunned and impressed; it wasn’t what I expected; I’d heard all her main hits plenty of times, but this style was so different and had me taken aback. So, I rewound and listened to her music from the jump, all 8 albums (now 10) and I was hooked. What struck me was the range, constant reinvention when progressing from album-to-album, of course, the lyrical brilliance but more than anything was just the sustained level of excellence that has propelled her from a great talent to a legendary icon, who is still at the peak of her powers showing no signs of slowing down.

Now on her Eras tour, this just had me thinking of “eras”, what they are, and how these NBA Playoffs have displayed their power and impact on fans to near perfection.

Stars ranging from LeBron James and Stephen Curry to Nikola Jokic and Jimmy Butler: proven champions still performing at an elite level after coming onto the scene in the early 2000s (like Taylor) to elite talents earning everyone’s profound respect during this incredible run (like Taylor).

To me what’s so important to point out, however, is while it’s easy to want something new (new talent, new headlines, etc.), it’s the draw that the older eras, the likes of LeBron, have that allows for the attention to be brought upon the newer eras, the likes of Jokic. And I don’t think it’s fair to be so quick to look for the next thing or write people off / push them out when they’re still delivering at an all-time level (I mean LeBron dropped the slightest hint at a potential retirement after dropping 40 points in an elimination game and the NBA world freaked).

Ushering in new talent is one of the best things about the older eras, but what’s evermore so impressive is the bridging to new talent, like LeBron competing against Jokic or Steph competing against De'Aaron Fox, and in parallel, the Phoebe Bridgers opening for Taylor Swift; it’s just brilliant.

Eras are timeless. Tell me you’re not in awe when Steph hits an insane deep 3 or Bron has a ridiculous no-look pass, or now with Jokic and his brilliant dissections of the open court. And as we’re seeing with Taylor’s tour, the same awe between old and new eras holds when fans hear Sparks Fly, or now Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve.

I’m never going to be one to get tired of older eras just to look for newer ones. I think, as Taylor has taught me, you can have both. And as this year’s playoff MVP, Jimmy Butler said, “when it comes to Taylor Swift, she can do no wrong, so I’m just going to leave this right here.”

MetLife this Sunday 5/28. DM me if you want my review.