“I want to make the most of this cultural relevance or success or whatever you want to call it, because it’s not going to last,” Taylor Swift said to the Sydney Morning Herald in 2015 before kicking off the “1989 World Tour” in November of that year. That tour would end up grossing nearly $250 million according to the Los Angeles Times.  

Little did Swift know, eight years later, she would have the bestselling album of 2023 with “Midnights.”  Released Oct. 21, 2022, “Midnights” was Swift’s tenth studio album which, she said is made up of “the stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life,” and reached early success by taking all 10 of the top 10 spots on the Billboard Hot 100.  

With the release of “Midnights,” fans of Swift – often referred to as Swifties – were anxiously waiting to hear if Swift would be touring her new album. On Nov. 1, 2022, Swift satisfied fans by announcing her sixth concert tour, named “The Eras Tour,” would start March 17, 2023. Swift described the tour as “a journey through the musical eras of [her] career.” 

Myers Brantley (9) went to the Atlanta night one show with her sister and admired Swift for her show-stopping performance and how she incorporated every era into one show.  

“She is such an amazing performer and such a girl boss. Each era was so different and fun and really original,” Brantley said.

Now, Swift is seven months deep into her tour and is making a bigger impact than anyone expected. The three-hour, 44-song long concert attracts thousands of people to fill the stadium seats. The cities that Swift has performed in have seen a large boost in revenue thanks to her fans. Time.com says that this economic boost is due to Swifties, “dropping an estimated $1,300-$1,500 on things like outfits and costumes, merchandise, dining and travel.”  

Not only is Swift’s tour boosting economies, but it’s also creating a community of Swifties from all over the world. Whether it’s making friendship bracelets or live streaming the show to those who couldn’t get tickets, “The Eras Tour” is helping Taylor Swift fans create a community that will last far beyond the tour.  

Cassidy Scherer (12) is a self-proclaimed Swiftie and has attended two of “The Eras Tour” shows – Atlanta, night three and Nashville, night three. Scherer’s favorite part of the tour were the people she met who were just as excited as her to see Swift.  

“For me, ‘The Eras Tour’ was just a safe environment with so many kind people who enjoy Taylor as much as I do.  I think it’s just so exciting that she’s doing a tour this big so that it gives most of the fans the chance to see her as well as make new friends in the process,” Scherer said. 

There is no doubt that Swift holds a loyal fan base, but even people who don’t call themselves “Swifties” enjoy the artistry of “The Eras Tour” and Swift’s business moves. 

Whether it’s pouring rain, or the night is sparkling, Taylor Swift is determined to give her audience the performance of a lifetime.  

“Taylor is such an amazing performer and the fact that she can perform a 3-hour show and not even skip a beat is so impressive,” Scherer said. “The show is so amazing from the floor and the nosebleeds and anywhere in between. No matter where you sit you have the best time and meet so many new people!”