The presale for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour began and ended in madness. A reported 14 million people hit the Ticketmaster website on November 15, and more than 2 million tickets were sold that day according to a Ticketmaster Business post.

Although that day’s Verified Fan Tix Presale, for which some 3.5 million registered, was aimed at keeping the tickets from ending up on secondhand market sites like StubHub and SeatGeek, it didn’t take long for seats to begin showing up there. At press time, tickets for Swift’s March 24 and 25 Allegiant Stadium shows ranged from $360 to $10,000+ on StubHub and $413 to $5,000+ on SeatGeek.

Las Vegas will be one of 20 U.S. cities to host multiple dates on the Eras Tour this year, but did locals truly get lucky when it came to securing tickets? We headed to a March 3 Taylor Swift Dance Party at Brooklyn Bowl to find out.

One fan named Cristina wasn’t able to purchase tickets during the Verified Fan presale, she says, despite having been informed she’d receive priority because she’d held tickets to a 2021 date on Swift’s Lover Fest tour, which was canceled due to the pandemic.

“I didn’t get sh*t on the days I logged in, and I sat there like an idiot,” she explains. “Then they came back around to the people who had priority … and we got second row, like, right on the floor, so we got lucky.”

Cristina’s friend Gil also missed out during the Verified Fan presale but landed tickets the next day, during a Capital One presale. “The first day, I just watched it all disappear in front of me. I was debating on prices and then all of a sudden, they all disappeared,” he says. “The next day, [when] it opened up, I said screw it, went in blindly and got good tickets.”

Kevin, dressed in a black T-shirt from Swift’s 1989 World Tour, relays how he actually scored tickets the first day of the presale. “It was a fight,” he says. Kevin took the morning off from work for the presale, only to learn that it would be postponed until later that day. And then?

“I’m a chiropractor and I was in the middle of talking to a patient when my coworker knocked on the door, and said, ‘Hey, you’re up on the tickets.’ I told my patient, ‘I’ll be right back. I need Taylor Swift tickets.’ They completely understood, and I rushed to my computer. I was like, ‘Let’s go. I need pit tickets right now!’ And luckily, I got them.”

Sitting at the bar with two friends waiting to head into the dance party, another fan named Alexis explains that her group tried to buy tickets but ultimately couldn’t score any.

“I’ve bought tickets for other high-demand concerts, like Harry Styles, and I thought this would just be [like that], but it proved to be difficult,” she says. “We were looking at other cities, too. I was like, there’s six nights in LA, I can probably get one, but I couldn’t even get that.”

Like Alexis and her friends, thousands of Taylor Swift fans around the country wound up empty handed, prompting 26 of them to file a lawsuit accusing Ticketmaster’s parent company of anticompetitive conduct and fraud, as reported by The New York Times. Several lawmakers also publicly criticized the company’s business practices.

Non-Swifties might be wondering, why so much chaos over some pop music concerts? So let’s try to explain why this tour—which kicked off March 17 in Glendale, Arizona, and hits Las Vegas next—is such a big deal.

She’s not a Vegas regular

Swift last performed here during the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena, but she played just one song—the live debut of that year’s track “ME!,” with Panic! At The Disco’s Brendon Urie guesting. She’s been here for iHeartRadio Music Festival appearances (2014, 2012) and Academy of Country Music Awards shows (2011, 2010) and even played 2015’s Rock in Rio festival at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds.

But the last time Swift brought a full, non-festival tour stop to town was way back on May 23, 2009, when the Fearless Tour came to Mandalay Bay Events Center, now known as Michelob Ultra Arena. That means dedicated Las Vegans have had to travel if they wanted to catch her for the past decade-plus.

A fan named Mallory, who showed up to the dance party in a maroon plaid skirt and a yellow T-shirt that read, “No, it’s Becky”—a reference to an old fan-favorite joke—has hit the road to see her favorite artist multiple times. She caught the Red Tour in LA, the 1989 World Tour in Glendale, Arizona, and the Reputation Stadium Tour in LA and Santa Clara. But this one, she says, will feel different.

“I’m incredibly excited to see her in my hometown for the first time,” Mallory explains. “I can’t wait to hear her say something like ‘Well, hello Las Vegas!’ I just know it’ll hit different when she’s greeting my city.”

Equipped with 65,000 seats, Allegiant Stadium stands as a likely reason why Swift has two Las Vegas dates on her tour itinerary after skipping Southern Nevada in recent years.

The stadium, which opened in 2020, hosted DJ/producer Illenium for its first public concert on July 3, 2021. Since then, Allegiant has presented some of music’s biggest names—Garth Brooks, Metallica, Billy Joel, Imagine Dragons, Bad Bunny, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Weeknd, The Rolling Stones and Korean K-pop group BTS, which played four nights at the stadium last April.

Beyoncé (August 26-27) and Pink (October 7) also have dates booked in 2023, but Swift will go down in history as the first woman to headline Allegiant Stadium.

It’s not just any tour

Much as they’d like to, most fans can’t attend every headlining tour by their favorite artist—even die-hard Swifties. That’s what makes the Eras Tour so enticing. In one night, it takes audiences through every musical phase of Swift’s career, stretching back across 10 albums and 17 years (see sidebar, page 21).

Since she last toured five years ago, Swift has released four LPs, 2019’s Lover, 2020’s Folklore and Evermore, and last year’s Midnights, plus she has released re-recorded “Taylor’s Versions” of 2008’s Fearless and 2012’s Red, featuring additional songs not included on the original releases.

Fans have had lots to speculate about—the stage setup, props, costumes and especially which chart-toppers and deep cuts they’ll get to hear. After the first two Era Tours shows in Glendale, Arizona, last week, we now know that Swift has built a solo, acoustic section into her set, during which the songs will likely change from night to night. “My plan … would be to play different songs every single night and never repeat one,” she told the crowd.

Whatever she picks in Vegas, “I’m sure it’s going to be amazing,” Gil proclaims at Brooklyn Bowl. “She could sing one song for three hours, and I would be cool.” He predicts a setlist with “a little bit from everything.”

The Eras Tour presents an opportunity for Jenny, another local fan at the Taylor Swift Dance Party, to catch up on everything she’s missed since last catching Swift live at the 2009 Mandalay Bay show.

“It’ll be interesting to see how she ties in each era,” Jenny says. “Will she go chronologically? How will she play into her new albums? I’m just excited to see it.”

The stars could come out

For Swift, the live experience often extends beyond glamorous costumes and monster setlists. “Every person in the audience probably knows what costumes I’m going to wear,” Swift said during her 1989 World Tour (Live) Apple Music exclusive documentary. “[And] they could know the setlist if they really wanted to. So I decided to start inviting special guests out.”

That tradition began during the 2013-2014 Red Tour, when Swift invited longtime friend Ed Sheeran to join her onstage in different cities to duet on her song “Everything Has Changed” and his single “Lego House.” Ellie Goulding stepped onto the Red stage for duet versions of “Anything Could Happen” and “Burn,” and Sam Smith stopped by to belt “Money on My Mind” with Swift.

During Swift’s 1989 World Tour in 2015, “Please, welcome to the stage” became a familiar refrain, introducing a diverse parade of surprise guests that included Mick Jagger, Alanis Morissette, Wiz Khalifa, St. Vincent, Lorde, Beck and Selena Gomez. The tour even brought non-musical guests into the fold, such as the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team and TV host Ellen DeGeneres.

At this point, guessing who might pop in has become a significant part of the pre-show buildup. Who might join Swift in Las Vegas? We know two popular artists will be there for sure—Gayle, the teen singer behind viral hit “Abcdefu,” and indie-pop vocalist Beabadoobee, who released latest album Beatopia last summer. They’ll be slotted in as opening acts in Las Vegas; other support artists for the tour include Paramore, Phoebe Bridgers, Gracie Abrams, Girl in Red and Haim.

As for surprise acts, who’s to say? We do know the Strip is packed with resident performers who could theoretically slide over to Allegiant for a quick song, from Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban—both of whom have joined Swift onstage in the past—to Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry, Usher and Luke Bryan. What about the DJs? Diplo, Illenium, Kaskade, The Chainsmokers, Zedd, Dillon Francis and Steve Aoki are all gigging around town later that night. Or maybe she’ll go full Vegas on us, with classic icons like Wayne Newton or Penn & Teller or even cast members from a Cirque du Soleil production show.

She’s setting records all the time

Swift has spent her career one-upping not just her current and historical peers, but herself, too. At 17, she became the youngest artist to write and record a No. 1 song on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, when “Our Song,” a single from her eponymous 2006 debut album, peaked.

Her sophomore album, 2008’s Fearless, won the Album of the Year Grammy award in 2010, making her the youngest person (20) ever to win it. (Billie Eilish now holds that record, having won Album of the Year at age 18 in 2020.) Swift has gone on to win that coveted Grammy two more times, for 1989 in 2016 and Folklore in 2021, becoming just the fourth artist—and first female artist—ever to win the award three times.

This year, Swift became the first artist to win the Grammy for Best Music Video “with a sole directing credit for their own music video,” according to Grammys.com. That 10-plus-minute track, “All Too Well,” also stands as the longest song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Forbes, multiple times, ranking No. 9 for 2022 after earning $92 million. Forbes reported that about 70% of that total derived from album sales and streaming profits from her back catalog.Swift has landed on lists of the top 10 highest-paid entertainers, published by

Six of last year’s 40 top-selling vinyl records were Taylor Swift albums, with her music accounting for “nearly one of every 25 vinyl LPs sold last year in the U.S.,” according to Billboard magazine. She already holds the title for the highest-grossing U.S. tour—2017’s Reputation Stadium Tour, which earned $266.1 million across 38 dates—and Billboard estimated in December that she was on track to generate $591 million in ticket sales for her Eras Tour.

Earlier this month, Swift had 10 different LPs on the Billboard 200 albums chart, joining The Beatles, Prince, David Bowie and Whitney Houston as the fifth artist ever to do so.

And then there’s this: When latest studio album Midnights dropped in October, Swift became the first artist in Billboard Hot 100 history to occupy the entire top 10 in a single week the following month. Lead single “Anti-Hero” spent eight weeks at No 1, surpassing, yep, Taylor Swift’s previous record of seven weeks at No 1 for “Blank Space,” according to Billboard.

Glendale, Arizona, celebrated Swift’s unprecedented popularity by temporarily rebranding itself Swift City during her two-night run at State Farm Stadium. What might Las Vegans do to mark the occasion? Show up at Allegiant Stadium Friday or Saturday night to find out.

Defining the Eras: A glance back through Taylor Swift’s 10-album catalog

Taylor Swift (2006)

Swift’s debut established the then-country singer/songwriter as a talented storyteller, filling the airwaves with twang and relatable love songs. Swifties hope to hear: “Should’ve Said No,” “Mary’s Song.”

Fearless (2008)

This sophomore album captured the essence of teenage girldom. Fearless was a guide for growing up, dating and surviving high school, and its catchy melodies begin to nudge Swift toward the pop genre. Swifties hope to hear: “Love Story,” “The Other Side of the Door.”

Speak Now (2010)

Though album No. 3 didn’t reach the commercial heights of its predecessors, it remains a fan favorite due to its personal lyrics and longer run times (the average song length is five minutes). Speak Now was also written entirely by the singer, who told Rolling Stone in 2019 that she was emboldened to pen her third LP alone after facing skepticism from peers about whether she wrote her songs. Swifties hope to hear: “Enchanted,” “Dear John.”

Red (2012)

Swift’s fourth album covers the spectrum of feelings one goes through during and after a relationship, from infatuation to heartbreak to healing. It also sees her work with music veterans like Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback, with their collaboration “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” earning Swift her first Billboard chart-topper. Swifties hope to hear: “All Too Well,” “22.”

1989 (2014)

Swift’s interest in pop music was fully realized on her fifth album, and the public loved it. It spawned seven singles, including “Blank Space,” which weaponized her “serial dater” reputation. Filled with upbeat songs and synths, 1989 differs from the wistful storytelling of her previous efforts. Swifties hope to hear: “Wildest Dreams,” “New Romantics.”

Reputation (2017)

With the release of lead single “Look What You Made Me Do,” Swift signaled that Reputation, which leans on synths, bass drops and trap-style percussion,might explore darker topics, including revenge. But most of its songs actually tell a different story, about “finding love throughout all the noise,” Swift explained at a Chicago concert. Swifties hope to hear: “Delicate,” “Getaway Car.”

Lover (2019)

Lover welcomes listeners to a bright and glittery pop world, with touches of pop-punk (“Paper Rings”) and glances back to her country roots (“Soon You’ll Get Better,” featuring The Chicks). The songs touch on serious issues, like the double standards she has faced, but are largely focused on what the singer loves—her family, friends and partner. Swifties hope to hear: “Cruel Summer,” “Death by a Thousand Cuts.”

Folklore (2020)

While the world was confined at home, Swift wrote and recorded an indie folk album with Aaron Dessner from The National, Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and returning producer Jack Antonoff. Folklore shows off a different side of Swift’s writing, moving away from autobiographic material toward more fantastical tales. Swifties hope to hear: “Cardigan,” “August.”

Evermore (2020)

Released less than five months after Folklore—“To put it plainly, we just couldn’t stop writing songs,” she explained on Twitter—Swift’s ninth album carries forth with additional epic tales and folky dreamscapes. Swifties hope to hear: “Champagne Problems,” “Right Where You Left Me.”

Midnights (2022)

In the liner notes to her latest album, Swift calls it “a collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams.” The songs detail failed relationships, career struggles and, in popular song “Anti-Hero,” self-deprecation. Her poetic vernacular blends with elements from her past work to create what many fans feel is her magnum opus. Swifties hope to hear: “Karma,” “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve.”

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