By Ezra Caber

Since its kickoff in March, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has taken the world by storm, leaving its mark on the music industry. Spanning the entirety of her 16-year career, Swift’s three-hour performance revisits all her musical eras, breathing new life into her older music. 

This has been an exceptional year for Swift, as she has achieved remarkable feats including breaking the world record for the number-one female artist with the most top listened-to albums, according to Billboard Magazine.

The obvious success of her tour can be measured not only by Swift’s musical talent but also by the significant economic impact on local businesses and its string of sold-out shows across the United States and Mexico. 

“Every moment was the best moment,” sophomore Isabella Estephan said. “The energy is amazing even before going to the concert.”

Swift’s Eras Tour has not only impressed her fans, but it also surpassed other major events in terms of revenue, including the Super Bowl. In North America alone, the tour grossed approximately $2 billion in ticket sales. This astonishing figure could not satisfy demand, leaving many fans disappointed when the show sold out. 

When tickets went on sale in November 2022, Ticketmaster crashed due to the millions of people trying to log on to get tickets at the same time.

“Tickets sold out too fast, so I couldn’t go,” junior Chelsea Lee said. “But if Taylor comes back to LA, I’ll stay up all night to get that ticket.”

Additionally, research company QuestionPro projects the U.S. leg of the tour to generate about $5 billion in consumer spending. The amount of Taylor Swift shirts and sweatshirts on the street is a good illustration of the fact that her sales go beyond tickets. The tour also boosted local economies since many fans spent money on outfits, dining, and travel as they viewed the tour as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

Aside from the money, however, the most heartwarming aspect of the Eras Tour is how it has brought fans together. Most fans who attended the concerts made and traded friendship bracelets, inspired by a lyric from Swift’s song, “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” which states, “So make the friendship bracelets.”  This shared activity led to genuine friendships at the show

“My favorite experience from going to the concert was how united and safe it felt,” office assistant Diana Palomarez said.

With Swift breaking records, boosting the economy, and receiving much positive feedback from fans, she has become one of the most influential people in the music industry due to her prominence in not only the 2010s but also the 2020s.

As a singer-songwriter for more than a decade, Swift continues to release music that is recognized worldwide, and the Eras Tour, still only nearing the halfway mark, is set to further cement her as a legend.