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Midnights Era

2022-2024

“Meet me at midnight.” With the release of her tenth studio album, Midnights, in October 2022, Taylor cemented her status as one of the most universally celebrated artists of all time. Just months later, as crowds of 50,000 began gathering outside her sold-out “The Eras Tour” stadium shows, just to soak in the atmosphere, it was obvious: she had reached an unprecedented cultural moment. Sixteen years into her career, Taylor wasn’t just thriving—she was redefining the limits of global pop stardom. Welcome to Taylormania.
How do you measure the impact of a musician in the 2020s? Streams can be inflated. Awards, strategically campaigned for. Is it when overwhelming demand for concert tickets triggers a congressional hearing into Ticketmaster’s practices? When flight attendants shout out a fanbase en route to opening night in a city temporarily renamed Swift City? Or when a single lyric sparks a global comeback of trading friendship bracelets?

Nearly a decade prior, TIME had declared: “Taylor Swift Is the Music Industry.” Anyone even remotely tuned into pop culture knew—she had only grown more omnipresent since. It all built to Midnights and “The Eras Tour.” In March 2023, Taylor unveiled a three-hour, career-spanning setlist and launched a stadium run destined to become the highest-grossing concert tour of all time. And so, TIME‘s statement had aged into prophecy—when the publication named Taylor “Person of the Year” in December 2023 it wasn’t just a music milestone: that year, Taylor didn’t just dominate pop culture—she single-handedly was pop culture.
Table of Contents

Laying Low in London

The beginning of Taylor’s latest career peak arrived not with a bang, but with a hush. For much of early 2022, she slipped from the spotlight, quietly working on a secret new project—what would eventually become Midnights—while spending most of her time in her chosen hometown of London with her then-partner Joe Alwyn. Over the new year, tabloids swirled with engagement rumors—neither confirmed nor denied by her team—feeding a media frenzy desperate for any sign of her.

Public appearances were rare. In May, she resurfaced to accept an honorary doctorate from New York University, delivering a commencement speech for the Class of 2022 that was livestreamed and inspired millions of her fans worldwide:

«Every choice you make leads to the next choice which leads to the next, and I know it’s hard to know sometimes which path to take. There will be times in life when you need to stand up for yourself. Times when the right thing is to back down and apologize. Times when the right thing is to fight, times when the right thing is to turn and run. Times to hold on with all you have and times to let go with grace. Sometimes the right thing to do is to throw out the old schools of thought in the name of progress and reform. Sometimes the right thing to do is to listen to the wisdom of those who have come before us. How will you know what the right choice is in these crucial moments? You won’t. How do I give advice to this many people about their life choices? I won’t. Scary news is: You’re on your own now. Cool news is: You’re on your own now.»

She also made select appearances at film festivals to promote her acclaimed short film for “All Too Well.” Beyond that, silence. In hindsight, it wasn’t absence—it was anticipation. The quiet was merely the pause before the cultural storm that was about to hit.

Meet Me At Midnight

As August 2022 drew to a close, Taylor stunned the music world with a long-awaited revelation. While accepting the “Video of the Year” award for “All Too Well (The Short Film)” at the MTV Video Music Awards, she unveiled the secret she had been keeping under wraps for months:

«I wouldn’t be able to re-record my albums if it weren’t for you. You emboldened me to do that. And I had made up my mind that if you were going to be this generous and give us this [award], I thought it might be a fun moment to tell you that my brand new album comes out October 21. And I will tell you more at midnight.»

She kept her promise, taking to social media to reveal that the album would (unsurprisingly) feature 13 tracks. “This is a collection of music written in the middle of the night,” she wrote, “a journey through terrors and sweet dreams. The floors we pace and the demons we face. For all of us who have tossed and turned and decided to keep the lanterns lit and go searching—hoping that just maybe, when the clock strikes twelve…we’ll meet ourselves.”

Songwriter-Artist of the Decade

Ahead of the release of her new album, Taylor was honored as the “Songwriter-Artist of the Decade” by the Nashville Songwriters Association International for her remarkable contributions to the country music genre throughout the 2010s. On September 20, she delivered a heartfelt 13-minute speech at the NSAI 2022 Nashville Songwriter Awards, held at the iconic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Reflecting on her journey as a songwriter, she shared insights into how she categorizes her songs and spoke candidly about the process of re-recording her first six albums:

«I’m up here receiving this beautiful award for a decade of work, and I can’t possibly explain how nice that feels. Because the way I see it, this is an award that celebrates a culmination of moments. Challenges. Gauntlets laid down. Albums I’m proud of. Triumphs. Strokes of luck or misfortune. Loud, embarrassing errors and the subsequent recovery from those mistakes, and the lessons learned from all of it. This award celebrates my family, and my co-writers, and my team. My friends, and my fiercest fans, and my harshest detractors, and everyone who entered my life or left it. Because when it comes to my songwriting and my life, they are one and the same.»

Before concluding her speech, Taylor shared: “Writing songs is my life’s work, my passion, and my never-ending thrill. I am deeply moved that you, my peers, have chosen to honor me for work I would still be doing, even if I had never received recognition for it. […] Writing songs is a calling, and to have it be your career is a rare and incredible blessing. Every day, you must be grateful for it—and for all the people who believed your words were worth listening to. This town [Nashville] is the school that taught me that. To be honored by you means more to me than any of my lyrics could ever express. Thank you.”
Taylor Swift for Midnights (Beth Garrabrant, 2022)
Taylor Swift for Midnights (2022)

A Real Legacy to Leave

In a 12-month stretch that would’ve been remarkable for any single milestone, Taylor dominated the fourth quarter of 2022 with Midnights. As always, the lead-up to the album’s October 21 release was meticulously crafted. The attention to detail that Taylor has cultivated over the years reached a fever pitch during the rollout for Midnights. She teased track titles through a TikTok series called “Midnights Mayhem With Me” and unveiled a full, cross-platform release schedule on Instagram. The ever-active Swiftie online ecosystem was in full swing—so much so that, as one expert pointed out in The Atlantic, it had all the characteristics of a true metaverse: a vast virtual community, untethered to any one platform, centered around the world of Taylor Swift, lacking only the 3D space to inhabit.

When Midnights dropped, it shattered records, racking up an astounding 228 million streams on Spotify in the first 24 hours. Within a single day of sales, it claimed the title of the top-selling album of 2022. In her fifth record-breaking achievement, Taylor’s album sold over 1 million copies in its first week, moving an astonishing 1.5 million units—a career best at the time and the first album to do so since her own reputation in 2017. She also made history by becoming the first artist ever to occupy the entire Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. During the album’s release week, she shared this with Jimmy Fallon:

«I’m beside myself, really. [...] I’m feeling very overwhelmed by the fans’ love for the album. I’m also feeling very soft and fragile. The two can exist at once. But the fact that the fans have done this, like the breaking of the records and the going out to the stores and getting it, it’s…you know, I’m 32, so we’re considered geriatric pop stars. They start to put us out to pasture at age 25, I’m just happy to be here.»

After Midnights dropped, Taylor’s subsequent press appearances and performances were strategically chosen to maximize impact. One of the most memorable moments came on October 26, when she made a surprise appearance at Bon Iver’s concert at London’s OVO Arena Wembley. There, she and frontman Justin Vernon performed their duet “exile” together in person for the first time. They were joined by Aaron Dessner, who had produced Taylor’s 2020 albums folklore and evermore. Taylor also made high-profile appearances at both the MTV Europe Music Awards and the American Music Awards, where she accepted her awards in person, solidifying her reign over the awards season.

Foray into Filmmaking: Directorial Debut

In 2022, alongside working on new music, Taylor dedicated considerable time to expanding her presence in the film industry. Yet, even with her growing influence, it still came as a surprise when, on December 9, it was announced that she would be making her feature directorial debut with Searchlight Pictures. She had written an original script, set to be produced by the Oscar-winning studio behind Nomadland and The Shape of Water. While key details—such as the plot and cast—remained under wraps, the announcement was a major coup for the studio. Landing a project from the world’s most successful musician was an undeniable win:

«Taylor is a once in a generation artist and storyteller. It is a genuine joy and privilege to collaborate with her as she embarks on this exciting and new creative journey»

The 14-minute short film for “All Too Well,” written and directed by Taylor, made its debut at both the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. It also received a special screening for the Directors Guild of America, held at Lucasfilm headquarters in San Francisco on November 20.
Midnights: Moonstone Blue Edition (2022)

Midnights

Midnights October 21, 2022 Midnights is Taylor’s tenth studio album, released on October 21, 2022, through Republic Records. A concept record about nocturnal ruminations, it was written and produced by Taylor with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. She has described the album as a collection of

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Breaking Ticketmaster

Taylor celebrated her 33rd birthday on December 13 in New Orleans, already writing and recording songs for her next album with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. She was marking the end of one of the most industry-defining years of her career—a year so influential that it even caught the attention of US officials, who made a federal case out of her immense popularity.

In fact, aside from Congress getting involved, over four dozen of Taylor’s fans had filed a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation, over the botched ticket sales for her highly anticipated “The Eras Tour.” The suit accused the companies of fraud, misrepresentation, and antitrust violations. Despite verified fan club members being given early access through invite codes, with more than 12 million users waiting in line it felt as though the shows were sold out before the pre-sale even began. Nonetheless, over 2 million tickets were sold in just one day. On November 17, Ticketmaster announced the cancellation of the general public sale “due to extraordinarily high demands on ticketing systems and insufficient remaining ticket inventory to meet that demand.” Taylor was less than pleased with how the situation unfolded, writing:

«It goes without saying that I'm extremely protective of my fans. We've been doing this for decades together and over the years, I've brought so many elements of my career in house. I've done this SPECIFICALLY to improve the quality of my fans' experience by doing it myself with my team who care as much about my fans as I do. It's truly amazing that 2.4 million people got tickets, but it really pisses me off that a lot of them feel like they went through several bear attacks to get them.»

The day after the ticketing chaos, Ticketmaster issued a public apology to Taylor’s fans and anyone who had a “terrible experience” trying to secure tickets for “The Eras Tour.” At Taylor’s request, Ticketmaster began reaching out to fans who had registered for the pre-sale, offering them an “additional opportunity” to purchase tickets. However, the trouble wasn’t over for Live Nation and Ticketmaster: The Justice Department had launched an antitrust investigation into their business practices, setting the stage for a showdown on Capitol Hill.

In January 2023, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a high-profile hearing to address Live Nation’s dominance and the lack of competition in the ticketing industry. Several lawmakers acknowledged that the “Eras Tour” fiasco and Taylor’s vocal fanbase had forced Ticketmaster back into the public eye. While the hearing primarily focused on broader issues, the impact of the Taylor Swift debacle was undeniable. The session, which lasted over three hours, included pointed questions, heated statements, and, of course, multiple references to Taylor herself.

Omnipresence In American Culture

It seemed as though Taylor was once again an omnipresent force in American culture—this time, without lifting a finger. Aside from her statement on the Ticketmaster pre-sale, she didn’t publicly weigh in on the controversy. The line between her private life and career had never been clearer. Leading up to the start of “The Eras Tour” on March 17, 2023, Taylor remained low-key, focusing on tour rehearsals in the UK and US—likely also processing the breakdown of her long-term relationship, a reality the world would soon learn.

To be fair, Taylor didn’t need to actively promote Midnights; the album remained at the top of charts worldwide for weeks, while “Anti-Hero” became her longest-running No. 1 hit in the US. Aside from a surprise performance of “Anti-Hero” at a The 1975 show in London in January, her only public appearance between December and March was on Grammy night, February 5, 2023. While she lost out on a deserved win in the “Song of the Year” category for “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” she still took home the “Best Music Video” award and was the undeniable star of the night—adored by the host, the audience, and social media alike. With a nonstop stream of successes leading up to “The Eras Tour,” the stage was set for Taylor to become even more iconic than ever before.
Taylor Swift for Midnights (Beth Garrabrant, 2022)

The Eras Tour

Fan demand broke Ticketmaster, but that was just the prologue. A Taylor Swift stadium tour—her first since 2018, due to the pandemic—was always going to be a major event. But “The Eras Tour” transcended the traditional pop spectacle, quickly becoming a massive cultural phenomenon. It wasn’t just about the concerts; it was a force that dominated the physical world, attracting record-breaking crowds to a different U.S. city each weekend between March and August. The tour generated endless buzz, with headlines ranging from the Ticketmaster controversy to her personal life and the extraordinary lengths fans were willing to go for tickets. (One father in Massachusetts, for instance, spent $21k on last-minute tickets.) Beyond the physical realm, “The Eras Tour” took over a vast, ever-expanding digital landscape, with clips, reactions, live-streams, dissections, and analysis flooding social media. Discovery pages on Instagram and TikTok were overflowing with “Eras Tour” content—the algorithm itself seemed to be a Swiftie.

The global takeover of “The Eras Tour” was largely due to the show itself, which was a dazzling celebration of pop’s most prolific songwriter’s expansive catalog. Music critics were left in awe—calling it a concert that rivaled the length of Titanic, spanning 17 years of potent nostalgia, turbocharged by the roar of 70,000 fans. It was fan service at its most epic and virtuosic: a flex and a celebration, weaving together years of growth, anticipation, and unmatched hype.

But beyond the spectacle, “The Eras Tour” was the culmination of years of world-building and Swiftian mythology. From her debut in 2006, Taylor had cultivated a uniquely close relationship with her fans—posting on MySpace, commenting on Instagram and Tumblr posts, embedding secret messages in CD liner notes, and holding Secret Sessions for her most dedicated followers. With each album cycle, she expanded the universe of Easter eggs and clues—playing with color coding, numerology, and, of course, her lyrics. The result? A massive, loyal fanbase that meticulously read between the lines of every move Taylor made, both on-stage and off, turning every interaction into a hunt for hidden messages with personal connections to the star. As Taylor told Entertainment Weekly in 2019: “I’ve trained them to be that way.”

Split from Joe Alwyn

On April 8, 2023, just as “The Eras Tour” was taking off, news broke that Taylor and her long-time partner Joe Alwyn had ended their relationship in February, after more than six years of dating. The announcement, confirmed by a source close to the couple—presumed to be Taylor’s publicist Tree Paine—was shared with People magazine:

«They had plenty in common and fell in love in a safe bubble while she was retreating from the world during reputation. Then the pandemic hit, and they were locked down together and able to continue growing their relationship in this insulated way. But he didn't really 'know' her yet outside of that bubble. Joe has struggled with Taylor's level of fame and the attention from the public. The differences in their personalities have also become harder to ignore after years together. They've grown apart.»

According to multiple sources, the breakup was largely “Taylor’s decision.” Despite recent talks of marriage, the couple ultimately wasn’t ready for a future together. “Taylor didn’t see them working out in the long run,” said an insider. “She’s staying very focused on her tour right now.”

While the relationship had seemingly been drifting for a while, the news still came as a shock to Swifties. And with “The Eras Tour” in full swing, the timing couldn’t have been more significant. Taylor’s habit of rotating acoustic songs at each show meant fans were hyper-focused on every performance. Soon, there were countless videos analyzing her on-stage demeanor (Did she seem melancholic after the breakup?), her interactions with fans, and even the shifts in her song choices and stage banter. For example, swapping the love song “invisible string” for the wistful “the 1” seemed notable—was it a subtle nod to her personal life, or just a coincidence?

In essence, “The Eras Tour” became more than a concert series; it was an evolving, interactive reality show with new chapters unfolding each week. Given that Taylor had refrained from giving in-depth interviews for years, her shows were the primary outlet through which she communicated with her fans.
Taylor Swift performing on "The Eras Tour" (2023)

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour 2023-2024 This article is about the tour. For the concert film, see Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (2023). For the book, see Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Book (2024).“The Eras Tour” (stylized as “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour”) was Taylor’s sixth headlining tour. A homage to her entire discography, she described it

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Best Believe She's Still Bejeweled

Just three days after news of the breakup, Taylor officially embraced her “Bejeweled” era, and fans couldn’t have been more thrilled. For those who aren’t familiar with the phenomenon, during her relationship with Joe Alwyn, Taylor was rarely seen in public and seldom photographed by the paparazzi. However, newly single, she seemed to have decided that she does in fact enjoy living freely, stepping out without the need to hide away. She was spotted looking effortlessly glamorous in New York City on April 10, dining with close friends Jack Antonoff and his fiancée Margaret Qualley at the Italian restaurant Via Carota.

From that moment on, Taylor became a regular presence in the city’s hotspots during the week while balancing her weekends on the road with “The Eras Tour.” She frequented private clubs, trendy restaurants, and Electric Lady Studio, where she continued working on new music. As word spread that Taylor had moved back to New York City from London, crowds began to gather wherever she went. In her 2020 documentary Miss Americana, Taylor openly stated that she doesn’t like being followed, but it was clear she wasn’t going to let public interest prevent her from living her life on her own terms.

A City-Wide Celebration

Taylor’s status as a proud New Yorker didn’t stop other cities across the US from rolling out the red carpet when she brought “The Eras Tour” to their neighborhoods. The trend began with Glendale, Arizona, where the city temporarily changed its name to “Swift City” in honor of Taylor’s arrival. Soon, other municipalities followed suit, eager to shower her with their own unique tributes.

Tampa’s mayor, speaking on April 10, summed up the frenzy: “We know Glendale changed its name, Arlington made a street sign, and Vegas lit up their Gateway Arches. But here in Tampa, we’ve got a reputation to uphold. We want to go bigger.” Across the country, Taylor was made honorary mayor for the day, with each city eager to bestow her with ceremonial honors. However, despite the numerous accolades, Taylor chose to acknowledge only one honorary title: Swiftie Clara:

«[My team] will tell me about some of the cool [articles written about her] and they will be like, 'Hey, did you know that they changed Santa Clara to Swiftie Clara?' For two days. And then they were also like, 'You know, they made you the mayor.' So sick.»

Fireworks lit up the sky in Swiftie Clara as Taylor performed “Enchanted,” the bright bursts perfectly timed with the song’s soaring moments. “You know why they did that?” she asked the crowd with a grin. “Because I’m mayor.”
Taylor Swift for Midnights (2022)
Taylor Swift for Midnights (2022)

Friendship Bracelets

A defining feature of the Midnights era was the resurgence of friendship bracelets. For most, the last time they strung colorful beads onto plastic cord was at summer camp, but Swifties transformed that nostalgic craft into a cultural phenomenon. From the start of “The Eras Tour,” trading vibrant, beaded bracelets became a beloved ritual for concertgoers. Fans showcased their creations—brimming with references to Taylor’s songs, album eras, inside jokes, and iconic lyrics—across social media. The inspiration for the trend came from the lyrics of “You’re on Your Own, Kid”:

‘Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned
Everything you lose is a step you take
So make the friendship bracelets
Take the moment and taste it
You’ve got no reason to be afraid


The trend gained such momentum just weeks into the tour that even celebrities joined in. From Jennifer Garner and Gigi Hadid to Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, and even Taylor herself, many were spotted exchanging bracelets with fans, proudly posting their colorful gifts on social media. What started as a Midnights-era fan activity quickly became a global movement, with friendship bracelets becoming a fixture at music festivals, sports events like Formula 1 and American football games, and beyond.

The Controversial Rebound

Weeks into the tour, in May 2023, rumors began circulating that Taylor was casually dating Matty Healy, the lead singer of The 1975. The two had already briefly dated in late 2014, but Taylor had never publicly acknowledged the relationship. Sure enough, that same weekend, Matty attended “The Eras Tour” in Nashville. Videos surfaced showing him in the VIP section, fueling the gossip mill with footage of him chatting with Taylor’s friends and family, and singing along to her songs. He continued to appear at subsequent concerts, and the pair were photographed together several times.

For a small yet vocal segment of Taylor’s fanbase, news of her rumored relationship with Matty was nothing short of a nightmare because of his controversial past. As one Twitter user put it, the gossip surrounding Taylor and Matty was like “the inner workings of the Catholic Church… worth keeping tabs on since it affects the wellbeing of millions and has tremendous financial influence.” Fans took to Twitter to share long-winded reflections on the situation, and even launched a campaign (#SpeakUpNow) implicitly urging Taylor to end the relationship for the sake of justice. The letter seemed to cross a boundary, reading as an overstep of control from fans who, despite their supposed love for Taylor, began policing her personal life in a way that felt paternalistic and possessive. This behavior echoed a wider trend where young fans, whose para-social relationships with artists had been nurtured during the pandemic era through platforms like TikTok, felt a sense of ownership over their idols’ lives.

Taylor did not publicly respond to the letter immediately. However, she has always been attuned to her fanbase’s reactions. In early June, just weeks after the rumors started, it was announced that her brief association with Matty Healy had ended. Taylor, as she so often does, turned to her art to process this intense period of her life. On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT, her eleventh studio album released on April 19, 2024, she described her relationship with Matty as part of a “manic episode,” reflecting the emotional turbulence of her first months on “The Eras Tour.” In the stand-out track “But Daddy I Love Him” she also directly addresses the public pressure from her fans during this time:

«I’ll tell you something right now: I’d rather burn my whole life down than listen to one more second of all this bitching and moaning. I’ll tell you something about my good name: It’s mine alone to disgrace. I don’t cater to all these vipers dressed in empath’s clothing. God save the most judgmental creeps who say they want what’s best for me. Sanctimoniously performing soliloquies I’ll never see. Thinking it can change the beat of my heart when he touches me. And counteract the chemistry. And undo the destiny. You ain’t gotta pray for me. Me and my wild boy, and all this wild joy. If all you want is gray for me, then it’s just white noise. And it’s just my choice.»

Taylor Swift for 1989 (Taylor's Version) (Beth Garrabrant, 2023)

The Eras Era

The Eras Era 2021-present Taylor kicked off the 2020s decade by embarking on the very ambitious mission to re-record the six studio albums released by her old record label. Even though she had just written her two most acclaimed projects with folklore and evermore, beneath those dreamy soundscapes was an artist who had been fighting for years to manage the

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Taylor-Gating, Rain Shows, And Earthquakes

The dating controversy had little to no effect on the real world. After “The Eras Tour” overwhelmed Ticketmaster’s system, ticket prices soared on the secondary market, often selling for thousands above face value. Prices continued to rise after the tour’s opening night in March, making tickets unattainable for many. But Swifties didn’t give up; they got creative. As the tour hit outdoor stadiums in the spring, fans began organizing meet-ups just beyond the gates, gathering as many as 20,000 people in cities like Tampa, Florida, Philadelphia, and Nashville. The media dubbed this tailgating phenomenon “Taylor-gating,” where fans kept the party going with food, drinks, and impromptu sing-alongs.

Another element that made many Eras shows unforgettable was the unpredictable weather. In Nashville, Taylor’s song “Midnight Rain” lived up to its title when it was performed after 1 a.m. local time. The finale of her hometown three-night stand was delayed by hours due to lightning strikes, and when the show finally began after 10 p.m., the second half of the three-and-a-half-hour set was marked by a torrential downpour. The rain soaked both Taylor and the audience in the roofless venue, yet the show carried on, finally wrapping up just after 1:35 a.m. despite the storm:

«The fact that you stayed for us, that you gave us everything you had—we love you so much, Nashville. We will never forget this night.»

Another unforgettable “rain moment” occurred at Gillette Stadium, a venue famously known within the fanbase for Taylor’s first “Rain Show” back in 2011. During the acoustic section of the concert, just as Taylor was about to play the opening notes on the piano, the keys started playing on their own. “I didn’t play that. So that means—” she began, but was cut off by the booming low notes. Taylor’s jaw dropped as over 65,000 fans erupted in laughter and excitement at the unexpected turn of events. “This has clearly broken my keyboard,” she joked. “It was literally underwater. I didn’t know how any of the instruments were working last night. So this is broken, I’m just gonna grab the guitar. It’s gonna be fine.”

The US tour’s final highlight came on July 22 and 23 at Lumen Field in Seattle, where two nights of earth-shaking dancing from enthusiastic Swifties triggered seismic activity equivalent to a 2.3 magnitude earthquake. Dubbed the “Swiftquake” by media outlets, the phenomenon added another unforgettable chapter to “The Eras Tour.”

The Til Dawn Edition

May was a whirlwind month for Taylor. In addition to headlining multiple shows every weekend, she announced a new deluxe edition of Midnights; the Til Dawn Edition. This version features a fresh take on the album’s newest single, “Karma,” with Ice Spice as a guest, as well as newly recorded lead vocals from Lana Del Rey on the collaboration “Snow On The Beach.”

Both digital and physical editions come with exclusive tracks. For the digital release, fans were treated to “Hits Different,” a song that had previously been available only on the Target version of Midnights. But the real gem for many fans was the physical edition, which includes a never-before-heard “Vault” track from the Midnights writing sessions titled “You’re Losing Me.” The song’s title alone had fans buzzing, especially given the recent revelations about Taylor’s personal life, making it an even more tantalizing addition to her catalog.
Taylor Swift for Midnights (Beth Garrabrant, 2022)
Taylor Swift for Midnights (Beth Garrabrant, 2022)

$55 Million in Bonuses

While Taylor had one of the most successful years for any musician this century, she was quick to acknowledge that such success wasn’t a solo effort. In recognition of her team’s hard work, she reportedly gave out bonuses totaling more than $55 million. These bonuses were shared among the dancers, riggers, sound technicians, catering staff—and truck drivers. According to multiple sources, Taylor gave $100,000 bonuses to each of the 50 truck drivers on her tour before her shows in Santa Clara at the end of July. These bonuses alone amounted to over $5 million. Mike Scherkenbach, founder and CEO of Shomotion, a trucking company that had worked on several of Taylor’s tours, called the gesture “unbelievable,” “generous,” and “life-changing.”

«It's a life-changing sum of money for somebody to be able to become a homeowner and for drivers that have children are starting at the age that they're going off to college. It's a game changer.»

Scherkenbach mentioned that some of his drivers initially thought the bonus was a joke, as most artists touring stadiums typically give drivers an extra $5,000 to $10,000. However, in addition to the substantial checks, Taylor went the extra mile by including a handwritten note of gratitude for each driver, making the gesture even more personal and meaningful.

Taylormania

In August, Taylor wrapped up the first US leg of “The Eras Tour” in Los Angeles. For better or worse, Taylormania continued to thrive, this time spilling into the streets of New York City and even outside private events, such as Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley’s wedding on the Jersey shore. Hundreds of eager wedding crashers showed up in hopes of catching a glimpse of Taylor. Footage from the event showed a massive crowd of Swifties gathered at the New Jersey venue as she made her way to the wedding rehearsal dinner. Photos revealed fans waiting outside both the ceremony and reception, while videos shared on social media captured the chaotic scene. The crowd could be heard chanting Taylor’s name as paparazzi flashes lit up her surprised face. Police cruisers were seen among the throng of spectators, blocking off parts of the street near the dinner. The footage of this disruption sparked online debates about toxic fan culture, with some calling the uninvited guests “stalkers.”

Despite these intense moments, Taylor refused to let them derail her life. As she had done all summer, she spent time with friends, went to the studio, and continued to live her life—even with some (strange) people following her car all the way to the garage of her apartment building. She made her presence known once again at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 13, where she took home nine awards, including “Video of the Year” for “Anti-Hero”—her second win in this category in a row:

«This is unbelievable. I just want to say that the fact that this is a fan-voted award means so much to me based on the memories that we’ve made recently. I’ve just been on a tour that has been the most joyful and exhilarating experience. And we’re not even halfway done with it. It’s really felt like the adventure of a lifetime this past year. I cannot believe that it was a year ago at the VMAs that I announced the Midnights album. And all I have to say tonight is thank you. I’m blown away. Thank you so much to the fans. I love you so much.»

After sweeping up at the VMAs, Taylor was poised for a relatively quiet period before diving back into her Eras era with the release of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) in October. She also planned to return to the road in November for a string of shows in South America. However, any hopes of peace and quiet were quickly dashed the moment she stepped out in Kansas City during the last week of September to support her new boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce.
Midnights: 3am Edition (Republic Records, 2022)

Midnights Songs

Songs on Midnights Prologue & Songs Prologue (2022)What keeps you up at night? It’s a momentary glimmer of distraction. The tiniest notion of reminescent thought that wanders off into wondering, the spark that lights a tinderbox of fixation. And now is irreversible. The flame has caught. You’re wide awake. Maybe it’s that one urgent question you meant to ask someone

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Reaching Billionaire Status

Newly in love, by October “The Eras Tour” officially catapulted Taylor to billionaire status, according to Bloomberg, making her one of the few recording artists to amass a 10-figure fortune almost entirely from her music. The “most definitive account yet” of her wealth estimated her net worth at approximately $1.1 billion. This major financial milestone was driven by the success of her blockbuster tour. Bloomberg’s analysis revealed that the 53 concerts of the US leg alone contributed $4.3 billion to the country’s gross domestic product. The outlet described its assessment as “conservative,” based only on “assets and earnings that could be confirmed or traced from publicly disclosed figures.”

The calculation included the estimated value of her five homes ($110 million), her music catalog ($400 million for music released since 2019, some of which she reclaimed through re-recording), earnings from streaming deals ($120 million from YouTube and Spotify), music sales ($80 million), concert tickets and merchandise ($370 million), and the financial impact of taxes, tour production, travel costs, and commissions paid to her managers and agents.

Bloomberg also predicted significant future earnings potential for Taylor, particularly based on the immense value of her songwriting catalog. While the conservative estimate of her music’s worth stood at $400 million, the outlet noted that a more optimistic valuation of future royalties could push it to around $1 billion—far surpassing her industry peers.

The Clock Strikes Midnight

As one era fades, another inevitably begins—a truth that Taylor had consistently embodied throughout her career. This was never more apparent than on February 4, 2024. That night, she attended the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, bringing an unprecedented chapter to a close. Having just been named TIME’s “Person of the Year” and officially achieving billionaire status, Taylor had long solidified her place in history. Midnights had defined the cultural moment of Taylormania like no other, and it was widely expected to sweep the Grammy ceremony. And it did. Taylor left with three wins, including the coveted “Album of the Year,” making her the first artist ever to receive the honor four times. It was a fitting culmination for an era marked by boundary-pushing reinvention and unparalleled success. Overwhelmed, Taylor said:

«I would love to tell you that this is the best moment of my life, but I feel this happy when I finish a song or when I crack the code to a bridge that I love or when I’m shotlisting a music video or when I’m rehearsing with my dancers or my band or getting ready to go to Tokyo to play a show. For me, the award is the work. All I want to do is keep being able to do this. I love it so much. It makes me so happy. It makes me unbelievably blown away that it makes some people happy who voted for this award too. All I want to do is keep doing this. So thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to do what I love so much. Mind blown. Thank you so much.»

Always looking ahead, Taylor wasn’t done yet. That night, she took the opportunity to share her next move with the world: “I want to say thank you to the fans by telling you a secret I’ve been keeping for the last two years,” she revealed. “My brand-new album comes out April 19. It’s called THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT. I’m going to go and post the cover right now backstage. Thank you, I love you!”

In that moment, the Midnights era officially came to a close, its legacy firmly etched into the fabric of music history. Yet, as is always the case with Taylor…everything you lose is a step you take. The clock had struck midnight, and a new story was already unfolding.
General Information
Associated AlbumMidnights
Beginning of EraAugust 28, 2022
End of Era
TourThe Eras Tour
AestheticNight time
Midnight blue
Lavender
Clocks
Vinyls
1970s showgirl
Glitter glam
Diamonds
StyleFriendship bracelets
Celestial sequin dresses
Faux fur coat
Collared sweaters
Wool sweater vests
Wide-legged corduroys
Neutral colors
Glitter eyeshadow
Long, wavy hair
ERA CHRONOLOGY
The Eras Era (2021-present)Midnights Era (2022-2024)The Tortured Poets Department Era (2024-2025)
Midnights Era

Midnights (2022)

Midnights Songs

The Eras Tour

The Eras Era

Taylor's Discography
Taylor Swift Switzerland Logo (2022)
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