Taylor Swift Reveals 'Folklore' Album Was Heavily Inspired by Ireland

What is the story

During his Tour of the eras Stopping in Dublin on Saturday, Taylor Swift revealed that her 2020 album Folklore was strongly influenced by Ireland.

The singer shared that the country played an important role in bringing her fantastic pandemic-era inspired album to the stage.

“Folklore “In general, it just belongs to Ireland,” Swift told the audience after performing Cardigan at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

She described how she envisioned the world of the album to resemble Ireland with its rich tradition and diverse characters.

Swift’s Irish Fantasy World and Her Songwriting Experiments

Swift started working on Folklore two days into the COVID-19 pandemic, creating an imaginary world resembling Ireland.

She admitted to her fans: “I have to be honest, it felt a bit like Ireland.”

The album allowed him to experiment with a different style of writing, with more linear narratives and characters who “fall in love and are heartbroken”.

Unlike her usual style, Swift served as a narrator rather than sharing her personal experiences.

“The folklore belongs to you, guys…”

Before performing Bettyanother piece of FolkloreSwift expressed her connection to Ireland, saying: “So we’re back where we belong! Folklore It’s up to you guys.”

The concert also featured an Irish tribute as her backup dancer Kameron Saunders spoke a little Irish during their performance (a continuation of Swift’s tradition of acknowledging each Tour of the eras (host country with a message in their native language).

Swift further honored Ireland by wearing an outfit reflecting the colors of the Irish flag.

Swift’s Irish concerts marked by high demand and nostalgia

When tickets for Swift’s Irish shows went on sale in July 2023, an estimated 5,000,000 fans signed up for the estimated 1,650,000 tickets available.

These three concerts in Dublin are his first since his debut in Croke Park in 2018 during the Reputation Visit to the stadium.

At these concerts, Swift praised the crowd as “so loving” and “amazing.”

She also remembered a bouquet of flowers she received from Irish band U2, who signed the attached note as “Your Irish Fan Club.”

Swift’s past visit to Ireland and future tour plans

Swift traveled to Ireland in 2021 to support her then-boyfriend Joe Alwyn while filming Conversations with friends.

Fans speculate this trip is referenced in Swift’s track Sweet words from his 2022 album Midnightwith lyrics that reflect, “Does Wicklow ever miss you?” (Some scenes for Conversations with friends were filmed in Bray, a town in County Wicklow, Ireland).

After her concerts in Dublin, Swift will continue her Tour of the eras in Amsterdam, ending with five shows in London in August.