Taylor Swift Dedicates First Live Performance of ‘Clara Bow’ to Stevie Nicks in Emotional Tribute at Dublin Eras Tour Finale
On June 30, 2024, during the final night of her Eras Tour stop in Dublin, Taylor Swift delivered a heartfelt tribute to her longtime friend and musical hero, Stevie Nicks. In a poignant moment, Swift performed “Clara Bow”—a track from her album The Tortured Poets Department—live for the first time, dedicating it to Nicks, who was present in the audience .
Before launching into the song, Swift addressed the crowd, expressing her deep admiration for Nicks. She highlighted Nicks’s role as a guiding hand and confidante to many female artists, including herself. Swift remarked, “She’s a hero of mine and someone I can tell any secret to—she’d never tell anybody.” Introducing the song, Swift said, “I’m talking about Stevie Nicks. So I’m going to play ‘Clara Bow’ for the first time for her” .
“Clara Bow” is a reflective piece that draws parallels between the lives of iconic women in the entertainment industry. The lyrics reference silent-film star Clara Bow, Stevie Nicks, and Swift herself, exploring themes of fame, beauty, and the pressures faced by women in the spotlight. The song critiques how female artists are often compared and positioned as successors to their predecessors, highlighting the industry’s tendency to pit women against each other .
The Dublin audience was treated to a unique acoustic set where Swift seamlessly blended “Clara Bow” with “The Lucky One” from her album Red, and “You’re On Your Own, Kid” from Midnights. This medley not only showcased Swift’s musical versatility but also underscored the emotional depth of the evening. Notably, “You’re On Your Own, Kid” holds special significance for Nicks, as she found solace in the song following the death of her Fleetwood Mac bandmate Christine McVie in 2022
The concert was a star-studded affair, with notable attendees including NFL star Travis Kelce and actress Julia Roberts. Kelce made headlines for flying over 5,000 miles from California, where he attended a teammate’s wedding, to support Swift in Dublin. Swift’s reaction upon spotting Kelce in the crowd was captured on video, showing her face light up with joy during her performance of “august”
Stevie Nicks’s presence at the concert and Swift’s dedication of “Clara Bow” to her highlight the profound bond between the two artists. Their relationship, built on mutual respect and shared experiences in the music industry, serves as a testament to the enduring power of female mentorship and friendship in the arts.
For those interested in witnessing this memorable performance, a video capturing Swift’s dedication and live rendition of “Clara Bow” is available here:
Watch more below:
Stevie Nicks receives a sweet tribute from Taylor Swift while attending the singer’s Eras tour stop in Dublin on Sunday. In videos captured by fans on social media, Taylor acknowledges Stevie before performing her song, ‘Clara Bow,’ which name-checks the Fleetwood Mac singer.