From Oct. 25 to 27, Taylor Swift continued her worldwide “The Eras Tour” at the New Orleans Caesars Superdome. The city took advantage of the influx of tourism and attention that her concert brought to the Crescent City.   

“It’s just a way to get people to see New Orleans, in addition to generating the tax revenues,” New Orleans Councilmember Eugene Green said.  

Since Swift’s performance was publicly announced, local residents have felt mixed emotions toward the city’s preparation.  

“People might be surprised at the extent to which we’ve prepared, because this concert is bigger than the Super Bowl: three nights of 50,000 people each night, plus 20,000 people who come into the city who don’t even attend the concerts. There have been security concerns that you have to address because there are so many young people,” Green said. 

Swift’s concert led to several safety measures in the city. Gov. Jeff Landry ordered the removal of several homeless encampments before the concert began. However, Landry’s order was halted by a judge until Nov. 4. 

Despite the judge’s halt, many homeless encampments under the Pontchartrain Expressway were displaced the week of Swift’s concert, leading to protests outside the Superdome.  

“I could feel a certain sense of cognitive dissonance at the concert…seeing how much money was spent on the inside, but seeing the homeless encampments being swept up on the outside,” junior Syna Pal said.  

 “The issue[s] relative to the unhoused are complex, but I encourage people who have those concerns to not picket in front of the Taylor Swift event, but go and talk to the governor, go to Baton Rouge,” Green said. “It’s always going to be a complex matter, but I can’t blame Taylor Swift for the governor deciding that he wanted to close the homeless encampments.” 

The three-day concert brought an estimated $500 million dollars to New Orleans. Many Tulane students returned to campus wearing Taylor Swift merchandise and the friendship bracelets popular at her shows.  

“We want [Taylor Swift] back, so at the end of the day, we’re going to treat the visitors well,” New Orleans resident Caron Dykes said.