Taylor Swift's legion of devoted fans, known as Swifties, have been left bitterly disappointed and venting their fury online following the highly anticipated streaming release of her record-breaking 'Eras Tour' concert film.
The cause of the uproar? The glaring omission of the global smash hit and fan-favourite anthem, 'Cruel Summer', from the main feature's setlist on Disney+.
A Cruel Blow for Swifties
Despite the track's monumental success, soaring to the number one spot on charts worldwide and becoming a definitive song of the summer, viewers were shocked to find it missing from the cinematic cut of the performance. The song is notably absent, with the film jumping directly from 'The Archer' to 'You Need To Calm Down'.
Fans swiftly took to social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to express their bewilderment and frustration. One fan lamented, "The way Cruel Summer was the song of the summer and now it's not even in the Eras Tour movie on Disney Plus... I'm actually heartbroken."
An Extra in the Extras
In a move that has done little to quell the disappointment, Disney+ did include 'Cruel Summer' as part of the film's 'Acoustic Collection' bonus features. This version, however, is an acoustic rendition performed on the guitar, a stark contrast to the full-band, high-energy production that became a stadium-shaking highlight of the live tour.
For many, this consolation prize feels insufficient. The acoustic version, while beautiful, lacks the explosive catharsis of the original arrangement that fans were desperate to relive. The decision has been labelled a bizarre and cruel twist by the dedicated fanbase, who feel the song's legacy has been undermined.
Social Media Erupts
The backlash was instant and severe. Another dismayed fan posted, "Not them putting cruel summer in the extras... that was THE song of the Eras tour. I'm actually fuming." The sentiment was echoed across thousands of tweets and comments, with many questioning the logic behind excluding one of the tour's most pivotal musical moments.
The outrage highlights the passionate and particular connection Swifties have with Taylor's discography and the live experience of the Eras Tour, which they had hoped to recreate at home.
