Photo:John Shearer/Getty
John Shearer/Getty
Taylor Swifthas cemented herself asone of the biggest names in music.The singer first stepped onto the music scene withher debut single “Tim McGraw” in 2006, and has released 10 hit albums since. Additionally, she has released three re-recorded albums as she attempts to regain control of her masters (with her latest1989 (Taylor’s Version)set to be released in October 2023).In addition to gaining critical acclaim as an artist and performer, Swift has been recognized for her incredible songwriting, with countless awards under her belt,including 12 Grammy wins.Recently, Swift put her entire music catalog on display with her successfulEras Tour, which was recently documented witha concert film.From her debut album to now, take a look back at Swift’s life in photos ahead.
Taylor Swifthas cemented herself asone of the biggest names in music.
The singer first stepped onto the music scene withher debut single “Tim McGraw” in 2006, and has released 10 hit albums since. Additionally, she has released three re-recorded albums as she attempts to regain control of her masters (with her latest1989 (Taylor’s Version)set to be released in October 2023).
In addition to gaining critical acclaim as an artist and performer, Swift has been recognized for her incredible songwriting, with countless awards under her belt,including 12 Grammy wins.
Recently, Swift put her entire music catalog on display with her successfulEras Tour, which was recently documented witha concert film.
From her debut album to now, take a look back at Swift’s life in photos ahead.
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Taylor Swift’s Childhood Years
Taylor Swift was born on Dec. 13, 1989, in West Reading, Pennsylvania, toparents Scott and Andrea Swift. Along withher brother, Austin, who was born in March 1992, she spent her early childhood growing up on a Christmas tree farm, which she later penned a holiday song about, titled “Christmas Tree Farm.”
Swift developed an interest in music at a very young age, but it wasn’t until she was 12 that she developed an interest in songwriting. After learning how to play guitar from a local repairman, Swift wrote one of her first songs, “Lucky You.”
02of 21Taylor Swift’s Early CareerTaylor Swift as a child.Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via GettyBy the time Swift was 13, she was making frequent trips to Nashville with her mother to get a record deal. Eventually, the Swift family relocated to Hendersonville, Tennessee, so that Swift could pursue her music career.After working on her craft with fellow songwriters in Nashville, Swift got her big break when she performed at Nashville’sBluebird Cafein 2005, catching the attention of Scott Borchetta, who later signed her to his independent record label, Big Machine Records.
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Taylor Swift’s Early Career
Taylor Swift as a child.Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty
By the time Swift was 13, she was making frequent trips to Nashville with her mother to get a record deal. Eventually, the Swift family relocated to Hendersonville, Tennessee, so that Swift could pursue her music career.
After working on her craft with fellow songwriters in Nashville, Swift got her big break when she performed at Nashville’sBluebird Cafein 2005, catching the attention of Scott Borchetta, who later signed her to his independent record label, Big Machine Records.
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Taylor Swift’s First Single, “Tim McGraw”
Faith Hill, Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw.Kevin Winter/ACMA/Getty
Kevin Winter/ACMA/Getty
On June 19, 2006, Swift released her debut single, “Tim McGraw,“named after the country singer of the same namewho was one of Swift’s favorite artists at the time.
Swift wrote the song in math class during her freshman year at Hendersonville High School about her senior boyfriend who she knew would be leaving for college soon.
The single peaked at No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 on Hot Country Songs and put Swift on the map as a country artist.
04of 21Taylor Swift’s Debut EraTaylor Swift in 2007.Ethan Miller/GettyOn the heels of her hit single, Swift kept the momentum going with her debut, self-titled album,Taylor Swift, which was released in the United States and Canada on Oct. 24, 2006, and internationally on March 18, 2008.With the album, she released five singles, including “Our Song,” which she originally wrote for her high school talent show. As the song reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Swift (who was 17 at the time) became the youngest person to singlehandedly write and sing a No. 1 song on the chart.In promotion of the album, she toured with some of the biggest names in country music, including opening for Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s joint tour.
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Taylor Swift’s Debut Era
Taylor Swift in 2007.Ethan Miller/Getty
Ethan Miller/Getty
On the heels of her hit single, Swift kept the momentum going with her debut, self-titled album,Taylor Swift, which was released in the United States and Canada on Oct. 24, 2006, and internationally on March 18, 2008.
With the album, she released five singles, including “Our Song,” which she originally wrote for her high school talent show. As the song reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Swift (who was 17 at the time) became the youngest person to singlehandedly write and sing a No. 1 song on the chart.
In promotion of the album, she toured with some of the biggest names in country music, including opening for Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s joint tour.
05of 21Taylor Swift’s Award Show RecognitionFrazer Harrison/GettySwift’s debut album quickly brought her award show recognition, including a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2008 Grammys. Additionally, she won various country music awards, including the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award for best new artist.While receiving the honor from Carrie Underwood on stage, Swift (who was a senior in high school at the time) thanked her fans for “changing her life” before jokingly adding, “This is definitely the highlight of my senior year.”
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Taylor Swift’s Award Show Recognition
Frazer Harrison/Getty
Swift’s debut album quickly brought her award show recognition, including a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2008 Grammys. Additionally, she won various country music awards, including the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award for best new artist.
While receiving the honor from Carrie Underwood on stage, Swift (who was a senior in high school at the time) thanked her fans for “changing her life” before jokingly adding, “This is definitely the highlight of my senior year.”
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Taylor Swift’s Fearless Era
Taylor Swift on the Fearless Tour.Jason Kempin/Getty
Jason Kempin/Getty
In September 2008, Swift transitioned into herFearlessera as she released the album’s lead single “Love Story,” which she wrote on her bedroom floor in approximately 20 minutes.
That same year, Swift went on her first headlining concert tour, titled the FearlessTour, in support of the album. The tour included more than 100 shows and featured Kellie Pickler, Gloriana and Justin Bieber as supporting acts.
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Swift later revealed toVarietythat the moment was a real turning point for her and “burrowed into my psychemore than anyone knew.”
“As a teenager who had only been in country music, attending my very first pop awards show, somebody stood up and sent me the message: ‘You are not respected here. You shouldn’t be here on this stage,' ” Swift told the magazine.
08of 21Taylor Swift’s First Grammy WinsTaylor Swift at the 2010 Grammys.Dan MacMedan/WireImageSwift continued her award season streak as she won big at the 52nd Grammy Awards in 2010. In addition to winning her first Grammy for best female country vocal performance for “White Horse,” she also took home best country song for “White Horse,” best country album forFearlessandalbum of the year forFearless. With the latter award, Swift became the youngest artist at the time to win album of the year.“My dad and my little brother are losing their minds in the living room right now,“Swift saidin her album of the year speech. “This is the story all of us, when we are 80 years old, and we are telling the same stories over and over again to our grandkids, and they’re so annoyed with us — this is the story we’re gonna be telling over and over again, in 2010, that we got to win album of the year at the GRAMMYs.”
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Taylor Swift’s First Grammy Wins
Taylor Swift at the 2010 Grammys.Dan MacMedan/WireImage
Dan MacMedan/WireImage
Swift continued her award season streak as she won big at the 52nd Grammy Awards in 2010. In addition to winning her first Grammy for best female country vocal performance for “White Horse,” she also took home best country song for “White Horse,” best country album forFearlessandalbum of the year forFearless. With the latter award, Swift became the youngest artist at the time to win album of the year.
“My dad and my little brother are losing their minds in the living room right now,“Swift saidin her album of the year speech. “This is the story all of us, when we are 80 years old, and we are telling the same stories over and over again to our grandkids, and they’re so annoyed with us — this is the story we’re gonna be telling over and over again, in 2010, that we got to win album of the year at the GRAMMYs.”
09of 21Taylor Swift’s Acting DebutTaylor Swift and Miley Cyrus.Disney/Kobal/ShutterstockDuring herFearlessera,Swift also began to act in various films. In 2009, she made her acting debut inHannah Montana: The Movie, for which she also wrote two songs. The following year, she appeared in the star-studded cast ofValentine’s Day,playing the love interest of Taylor Lautner, whomshe would go on to date in real life.Additionally, she made appearances onCSI: Crime Scene InvestigationandSaturday Night Live, the latter of which she served as the musical guest and host for the first time in 2009.At the time, she was the firstSNLhost ever to write their own opening monologue, penning a spoof song “Monologue Song” which poked fun at various headlines about her, including her breakup with Jonas, romance with Lautner and VMAs moment with West.
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Taylor Swift’s Acting Debut
Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus.Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
During herFearlessera,Swift also began to act in various films. In 2009, she made her acting debut inHannah Montana: The Movie, for which she also wrote two songs. The following year, she appeared in the star-studded cast ofValentine’s Day,playing the love interest of Taylor Lautner, whomshe would go on to date in real life.
Additionally, she made appearances onCSI: Crime Scene InvestigationandSaturday Night Live, the latter of which she served as the musical guest and host for the first time in 2009.
At the time, she was the firstSNLhost ever to write their own opening monologue, penning a spoof song “Monologue Song” which poked fun at various headlines about her, including her breakup with Jonas, romance with Lautner and VMAs moment with West.
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Taylor Swift’s Speak Now Era
Taylor Swift on the Speak Now tour.Larry Busacca/Getty
Larry Busacca/Getty
In August 2010, Swift began herSpeak Nowera as she released the album’s lead single “Mine.” The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2. on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
Amid criticism about her songwriting abilities, Swift wrote every single song on the third album alone. A loose concept album about the times she wishes she had spoken up, Swift previouslyteased toSongwriter Universemagazinethat each song is meant to serve as “a different confession to a different person.”
The album, released on Oct. 25, 2010, included many differentsongs about her life in the spotlight, including songs abouther relationships with John Mayer, Lautner and Jonas as well as the infamous 2009 VMAs incident between her and West through the song “Innocent.”
The album received critical acclaim, including best country song and best country solo performance for “Mean” at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in 2012.
11of 21Taylor Swift’s Red EraTaylor Swift on the Red tour.Scott Barbour/TAS/GettyIn August 2012, Swift entered herRedera as she released the lead single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 72 and before reaching No. 1 the following week.Redwas released on Oct. 22, 2012, and explored the “red” emotions Swift experienced while creating the album. Additionally, the album saw Swift experiment more with pop music as she collaborated with new producers, including Max Martin and Shellback.Notably, Swift was praised for her songwriting on the album, including “All Too Well,” which has become a fan-favorite among fans despite never being a single. The album also received award recognition, including a nomination for album of the year at the 2014 Grammy Awards, though she lost out to Daft Punk forRandom Access Memories.A year after the album’s release, Swift embarked on The Red Tour, which included Ed Sheeran as the opening act, who collaborated with Swift on theRedsong “Everything Has Changed.” The song and tour marked the beginning ofSwift and Sheeran’s longtime friendship.
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Taylor Swift’s Red Era
Taylor Swift on the Red tour.Scott Barbour/TAS/Getty
Scott Barbour/TAS/Getty
In August 2012, Swift entered herRedera as she released the lead single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 72 and before reaching No. 1 the following week.
Redwas released on Oct. 22, 2012, and explored the “red” emotions Swift experienced while creating the album. Additionally, the album saw Swift experiment more with pop music as she collaborated with new producers, including Max Martin and Shellback.
Notably, Swift was praised for her songwriting on the album, including “All Too Well,” which has become a fan-favorite among fans despite never being a single. The album also received award recognition, including a nomination for album of the year at the 2014 Grammy Awards, though she lost out to Daft Punk forRandom Access Memories.
A year after the album’s release, Swift embarked on The Red Tour, which included Ed Sheeran as the opening act, who collaborated with Swift on theRedsong “Everything Has Changed.” The song and tour marked the beginning ofSwift and Sheeran’s longtime friendship.
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Taylor Swift’s 1989 Era
Taylor Swift on the 1989 tour.Jeff Vinnick/Getty
Jeff Vinnick/Getty
The album was released on Oct. 27, 2014, and notably included producers such as Max Martin, Shellback and Ryan Tedder. After working together on the song “Sweater Than Fiction,“1989also markedher first album with Jack Antonoffas a producer; the two would go on to collaborate on many other projects.
Though Swift’s record label at the time was skeptical about her releasing a full pop album,1989defied expectations, receiving high praise from critics and various awards. Notably,the album received album of the year(Swift’s second time winning the honor) and best pop vocal album at the 2016 Grammy Awards.
In 2015, Swift kicked off her1989 World Tour, which includednumerous celebrity guests, including Selena Gomez, Justin Timberlake, Nick Jonas and more.
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Taylor Swift’s Hiatus From the Spotlight
Taylor Swift at the 2016 Met Gala.Mike Coppola/Getty
Mike Coppola/Getty
What ensued was a back-and-forth between Swift, West and his then-wife Kim Kardashian, with the latter later releasing edited clips of a phone call in which West and Swift discussed the song’s lyrics.
At the time, Swift’s rep told PEOPLE, “Taylor was never made aware of the actual lyrics, ‘I made that bitch famous.’ " However, the Internet immediately seemed toside with the reality star,and #KimExposedTaylorParty started trending.
Amid the trying time in her life, which Swift later describedas an apocalyptic summer, the singer took a hiatus from the spotlight.
“Nobody physically saw me for a year,” Swift said in herMiss Americanadocumentary. “That’s what I thought they wanted. I had to deconstruct an entire belief system, toss it out and reject it. It woke me up from constantly feeling I was fighting for people’s respect. It was happiness without anyone else’s input.”
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Taylor Swift’s Reputation Era
Taylor Swift on the Reputation tour.Christopher Polk/TAS18/Getty
Christopher Polk/TAS18/Getty
After going completely silent for a year, Swift shocked fans whenshe wiped all of her social media profiles cleanand posted a three-part video of a snake hissing, a reference to what people called her amid the West and Kardashian fallout.
The following year, Swift embarked on herReputation Stadium Tour, which broke countless records at the time, including becoming the third highest-grossing female concert tour of all time and the highest-grossing tour ever in the United States and North America.
15of 21Taylor Swift’s Lover EraTaylor Swift at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.Kevin Mazur/GettyAfter leaving Big Machine Records, Swift Swiftsigned a new deal with the Universal Music Groupin November 2018, which included a provision for her to maintain ownership of her masters.In April 2019, Swift kickstarted herLoverera with the release of her lead single “Me!” featuring Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco. The song’s music video, which also featured Urie, includedmany Easter eggs throughoutsuch as clues about her upcoming singles and the album’s title.On Aug. 23, 2019, Swift releasedLover, which marked the first album she owned the masters to.Loverwas a complete contrast toReputation, as Swift opted for morelight-hearted songs about her personal life. Additionally, the album saw Swift write about political issues for the first time such as LGBT rights and feminism in “You Need to Calm Down” and “The Man.“During herLoverera, Swift also released a Netflix documentary titledMiss Americana, which chronicled the creation of theLoveralbum and documented her evolution as an artist.In support of the album, Swift planned to embark on a worldwide festival titled Lover Fest in 2020, however,it was officially canceledin February 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Taylor Swift’s Lover Era
Taylor Swift at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.Kevin Mazur/Getty
Kevin Mazur/Getty
After leaving Big Machine Records, Swift Swiftsigned a new deal with the Universal Music Groupin November 2018, which included a provision for her to maintain ownership of her masters.
In April 2019, Swift kickstarted herLoverera with the release of her lead single “Me!” featuring Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco. The song’s music video, which also featured Urie, includedmany Easter eggs throughoutsuch as clues about her upcoming singles and the album’s title.
On Aug. 23, 2019, Swift releasedLover, which marked the first album she owned the masters to.Loverwas a complete contrast toReputation, as Swift opted for morelight-hearted songs about her personal life. Additionally, the album saw Swift write about political issues for the first time such as LGBT rights and feminism in “You Need to Calm Down” and “The Man.”
During herLoverera, Swift also released a Netflix documentary titledMiss Americana, which chronicled the creation of theLoveralbum and documented her evolution as an artist.
In support of the album, Swift planned to embark on a worldwide festival titled Lover Fest in 2020, however,it was officially canceledin February 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
16of 21Taylor Swift’s Artist of the Decade HonorTaylor Swift at the 2019 American Music Awards.Kevin Mazur/AMA2019/GettyIn 2019, Swift received thehigh honor of Artist of the Decadeat the American Music Awards. Ahead of receiving the award, Swift put on a show-stopping performance where she performed a medley of her biggest hits.“When I fell in love with music, it was right around the time I realized how marvelous it was that an artist could transcend so many phases and changes in people’s lives. You taught me that that’s a possibility,” Swift said during her speech.
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Taylor Swift’s Artist of the Decade Honor
Taylor Swift at the 2019 American Music Awards.Kevin Mazur/AMA2019/Getty
Kevin Mazur/AMA2019/Getty
In 2019, Swift received thehigh honor of Artist of the Decadeat the American Music Awards. Ahead of receiving the award, Swift put on a show-stopping performance where she performed a medley of her biggest hits.
“When I fell in love with music, it was right around the time I realized how marvelous it was that an artist could transcend so many phases and changes in people’s lives. You taught me that that’s a possibility,” Swift said during her speech.
17of 21Taylor Swift’s Folklore and Evermore EraTaylor Swift at the 63rd Grammy Awards.TAS Rights Management 2021 via GettyAmid the COVID-19 pandemic, Swift released two surprise albums:Folkloreon July 24, andEvermoreon Dec. 11, 2020. The albums, which Swift has referred to as “sister albums,” saw Swift explore indie folk and alternative rock music. They also saw Swift experiment with her songwriting, as she wrote about characters and fictional narratives, instead of her usual autobiographical tone.In addition to working with Antonoff on the album, Swift also collaborated with Aaron Dessner from The National and her then-boyfriend Alwyn, who co-wrote and co-produced select songs underthe pseudonym William Bowery.Both albums received widespread acclaim from critics, withFolklorewinning album of the year at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021. Theaward was a historic moment for Swiftas she became the first woman in Grammy history to win album of the year three times.
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Taylor Swift’s Folklore and Evermore Era
Taylor Swift at the 63rd Grammy Awards.TAS Rights Management 2021 via Getty
TAS Rights Management 2021 via Getty
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Swift released two surprise albums:Folkloreon July 24, andEvermoreon Dec. 11, 2020. The albums, which Swift has referred to as “sister albums,” saw Swift explore indie folk and alternative rock music. They also saw Swift experiment with her songwriting, as she wrote about characters and fictional narratives, instead of her usual autobiographical tone.
In addition to working with Antonoff on the album, Swift also collaborated with Aaron Dessner from The National and her then-boyfriend Alwyn, who co-wrote and co-produced select songs underthe pseudonym William Bowery.
Both albums received widespread acclaim from critics, withFolklorewinning album of the year at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021. Theaward was a historic moment for Swiftas she became the first woman in Grammy history to win album of the year three times.
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Taylor Swift’s Fight for Her Masters
Taylor Swift on SNL in 2021.Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
During herLoverera, Swift found herself in apublic dispute with talent manager Scooter Braunand Big Machine Records over the purchase of the masters of her first six albums. In an attempt to regain control of her masters, Swift publicly announced in August 2019 thatshe planned to re-record her first six albums.
Swift kept good on her promise, releasingFearless (Taylor’s Version)in April 2021,Red (Taylor’s Version)in November 2021 andSpeak Now (Taylor’s Version)in July 2023. She is also set to release1989 (Taylor’s Version)in October 2023. In addition to re-recorded versions of her original songs, each album also features vault tracks, a.k.a. previously unreleased songs from those musical eras.
19of 21Taylor Swift’s Honorary DoctorateTaylor Swift at NYU.Dia Dipasupil/GettyIn May 2022, Swift added yet another accolade to her lengthy resume: doctor. Whiledelivering the New York University 2022commencement address at Yankee Stadium, Swift receivedan honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degreefrom the university.
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Taylor Swift’s Honorary Doctorate
Taylor Swift at NYU.Dia Dipasupil/Getty
In May 2022, Swift added yet another accolade to her lengthy resume: doctor. Whiledelivering the New York University 2022commencement address at Yankee Stadium, Swift receivedan honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degreefrom the university.
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Taylor Swift’s Midnights Era
Taylor Swift at the 2022 VMAs.Gotham/WireImage
The lead single, “Anti-Hero,” was a smash success, eventually becomingher longest-running No. 1 hit. The album itself also broke records, earning the title ofthe most-streamed album in a single dayin Spotify’s history.
In addition to the release ofMidnights, Swift also released a deluxe version of the album titledMidnights (3am Edition)as well asMidnights – Til Dawn Edition, which included a “Karma” remix with Ice Spice and an alternate version of “Snow on the Beach” featuring Lana Del Rey.
21of 21Taylor Swift’s Eras TourJohn Medina/GettyHaving released four new albums in the past few years (as well as various re-recorded albums), Swift went for a brand-new concept as she embarked on her next tour. Paying tribute to her past 10 albums, Swift announced the Eras Tour in November 2022.Swift officially embarked on the tour in March 2023, performing over three hours of music as she took fans through her past musical “eras.” The tour has received critical acclaim for its concept and production as well as Swift’s performance.Amid her national tour, Swift released a concert film, titledTaylor Swift: The Eras Tour, on Oct. 12, 2023. The film has already been met with widespread demand, breaking the record for thehighest one-day ticket sales revenue for a single film at AMCbefore its release.
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Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour
John Medina/Getty
Having released four new albums in the past few years (as well as various re-recorded albums), Swift went for a brand-new concept as she embarked on her next tour. Paying tribute to her past 10 albums, Swift announced the Eras Tour in November 2022.
Swift officially embarked on the tour in March 2023, performing over three hours of music as she took fans through her past musical “eras.” The tour has received critical acclaim for its concept and production as well as Swift’s performance.
Amid her national tour, Swift released a concert film, titledTaylor Swift: The Eras Tour, on Oct. 12, 2023. The film has already been met with widespread demand, breaking the record for thehighest one-day ticket sales revenue for a single film at AMCbefore its release.
source: people.com
