Taylor Swift Takeover: Why Everyone’s Obsessed With the 1989 Tour

For most musicians, they try their best to promote their album as much as possible. They go on multiple television shows and tease new songs, and they continuously remind their social media followers to pre-order their music. However, once the album is released and people have a chance to say how much they like it, the hype tends to die down after a few weeks. A few months if the musician is lucky. Now, this is the case for an ordinary musician. But, Taylor Swift is certainly not a typical musician.

Following her critically acclaimed “1989” album, which was released in October of last year, Taylor Swift has managed to remain in the headlines basically every day thanks to her wildly successful 1989 tour. Even if you have never listened to a song off of “1989”, or if you don’t have any desire to attend the show, chances are you have heard about this tour in some way. But why are we all so addicted to Taylor Swift and this tour?

I’m going to be honest. I am a huge Taylor Swift fan, but even I questioned if the 1989 tour was going to live up to all my expectations. I had seen Taylor in concert before for her Red tour, and I was blown away. So, when I arrived at the Staple Center in August to see one of her five sold out shows, I doubted if the tour was going to be all that the media made it out to be.

Taylor Swift knows how to put on a show. From the free, light-up bracelets that every attendee receives, to the kaleidoscope lights and production, and of course her chart topping songs, Taylor’s shows are designed to be memorable. Surprisingly, though, it is Taylor Swift’s fans and the atmosphere in the arena that makes the show so newsworthy.

The thing that separates the 1989 tour from other tours is that the people who attend the concert are so different from one another. There are five-year-old little girls in tutus, teenagers dressed as her perfume bottles (I am not making this stuff up), and bearded men covered in tattoos. We are all obsessed with the 1989 tour because Taylor, the tour, and her music appeal to such a wide demographic.

This fact is confirmed not only by the type of concertgoers, but also by her surprise guests. Although the tour is covered in the media regularly, the reports are not always positive. One constant criticism about the tour is Taylor’s inclusion of special guests. Some have even mocked Taylor for portraying this idea that she is friends will all of the celebrities she invites to come on stage with her. It seems like everyone has shared the stage with her by now. Little Mix, Ellen DeGeneres, Wiz Khalifa, and Serena Williams are just some of the many celebrities who Taylor has strutted down her walkway with.

Before Taylor introduced her guests at the concert I attended, she explained that she reached out to musicians and actors who she wanted to be a part of the tour and asked them if they could attend any of her tour dates. While some news outlets focus on whom the special guest is, the audience’s reaction is the most noteworthy part. Taylor sings pop music. Yet, whomever she brings out the audience welcomes and crazily cheers for as loudly as they do for Swift. The diverse guests and the overwhelming acceptance they receive from the crowd further prove how the 1989 tour is able to attract so many people.

Taylor Swift has not only outdone herself with the 1989 tour, but she has arguably outdone every musician who has toured this year. She constantly generates publicity, sells out shows, and adds new members to her “squad” each day. No one puts on a show like Taylor Swift.

All images from taylorswift.com 

• 1989
• concerts
• music
• Taylor Swift
• tour