Taylor Swift Debuts “Carolina” and “The Manuscript” Live in Liverpool
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has been a spectacle of surprises and musical debuts, and her recent performance in Liverpool was no exception. On Saturday night, Swift graced the stage at Anfield Stadium for the third and final show of her Liverpool leg, delivering a memorable experience for her fans. The night was marked by the live debut of two songs, “Carolina” and “The Manuscript,” which left the audience in awe.
As fan footage reveals, Swift first introduced “Carolina” during the surprise section of her set. The haunting track, which she wrote for the 2022 film adaptation of “Where the Crawdads Sing,” was seamlessly blended with “No Body, No Crime” from her album “Evermore.” Before diving into the performance, Swift playfully dubbed the mashup “The Murder Mashup,” setting the tone for the eerie and captivating rendition.
Swift’s ability to weave narratives through her music was on full display as she transitioned from “Carolina” to “No Body, No Crime.” The haunting lyrics of “Carolina” resonated with the audience, creating an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. The song’s melancholic melody and Swift’s emotive delivery captivated the crowd, making it a standout moment of the night.
But the surprises didn’t end there. Swift took to the piano for the second surprise song of the evening, performing “The Manuscript” from her album “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.” This contemplative track was paired with “Red,” the title track from her 2012 album. The combination of these two songs created a powerful and emotional performance that showcased Swift’s storytelling prowess.
During Friday’s show, Swift also treated fans to a live rendition of “This Is What You Came For,” a song she co-wrote with Calvin Harris. The track, originally performed by Rihanna, was a hit when it was released in 2016. Swift, who used the pseudonym Nils Sjöberg for the songwriting credit, explained the choice in a 2020 interview with Paul McCartney for Rolling Stone. She revealed that she chose the name because it was one of the most popular names for Swedish males, adding an element of mystery to the song’s origins.
Swift’s European and U.K. leg of the Eras Tour has been filled with live debuts and surprise performances. In Edinburgh, Scotland, she performed “The Bolter” and “Crazier,” while in Lisbon, she introduced “The Tortured Poets Department” and “Fresh Out the Slammer.” In Stockholm, Sweden, fans were treated to “How Did It End?” Each performance has been a unique experience, showcasing Swift’s versatility and creativity as an artist.
As the Eras Tour continues, Swift has confirmed that it will wrap up at the end of 2024. During her Thursday show in Liverpool, she reflected on the journey, expressing her gratitude to the fans who have made the tour so special. “A lot of you are like, ‘How are you going to celebrate the 100th show?’ And for me, the celebration of the 100th show for me means this is the very first time I’ve ever acknowledged to myself and admitted that this tour is going to end in December, like that’s it,” Swift told the audience. “And that feels like so far away from now, but then again, it feels like we just played our first show on this tour, because you have made this so much fun for us.”
This week, Swift is set to perform in Cardiff, Wales, before heading to London for three nights at Wembley Stadium. Her U.K. and European dates will run through August, culminating in a series of shows in Canada, with performances in Toronto in November and Vancouver in December.
Swift’s acoustic set in Liverpool was a masterclass in storytelling, blending murder mysteries with tales of love and loss. Her ability to connect with the audience through her music is unparalleled, and the live debuts of “Carolina” and “The Manuscript” were a testament to her artistry. As the Eras Tour continues, fans can look forward to more surprises and unforgettable performances from one of the most talented and beloved artists of our time.
