Taylor Swift’s Viral Era
Fan demand broke Ticketmaster, and that was just the prologue. These are the moments that turned the Eras Tour into a phenomenon:
March 17
Glendale, Ariz.
Taylor returns to the stage. After five years away, she dives right in.
April 3
Arlington, Texas
Taylor appears to be secretly wheeled to the stage inside a janitor cart.
April 8
Taylor’s long-term relationship with Joe Alwyn is reportedly over.
April 10
Tampa, Fla.
Taylor gets a key to the city from Tampa’s mayor. Soon, other government officials will be falling all over themselves to welcome her in similar fashion.
April 24
Houston
Taylor cuts her hand. Speculation ensues. Taylor says she “tripped on my dress hem and fell.”
May 3
Taylor reportedly begins dating Matty Healy of the 1975. Many fans are unhappy.
May 5
Nashville
Taylor announces that “Speak Now” will be her next rerecorded album.
May 6
Taylor’s apparent new man, Matty, is spotted at tour stops and even performs.
May 7
Taylor gets her first “rain show” — and a weather delay.
May 12
Philadelphia
“Taylor-gating” takes over the parking lot.
May 13
Taylor defends a fan, demanding that a security guard stand down as she sings “Bad Blood.”
May 15
Taylor concertgoer Keith Urban shares a video of himself fanboying. Phoebe Bridgers and Bo Burnham are seen together in the background. Sparks (and rumors) fly.
May 20
Foxborough, Mass.
Taylor performs in a “full on deluge.”
Taylor is said to be cursing N.B.A. teams in the playoffs.
May 21
Taylor’s “haunted” piano malfunctions.
May 26
East Rutherford, N.J.
Taylor is joined onstage by Ice Spice. The rapper had earlier become entangled in the Swiftie war over Matty Healy.
May 27
Taylor inspires Aaron Rodgers to shake it off.
June 2
Taylor says she’s taking her tour abroad.
June 4
Chicago
June 5
Taylor tops the charts (again), fueled by two expanded editions of “Midnights.”
Taylor and Matty split, reports say.
June 20
Taylor’s international tour expands.
June 24
Minneapolis
Taylor performs “Dear John” as a surprise song (cc: John Mayer). She urges fans to show “kindness” and “gentleness” when she releases the rerecorded version.
June 30-July 1
Cincinnati
Taylor coming to town drives up the cost of local hotels.
July 4-7
Taylor enjoys Independence Day with the girlies during what is declared to be a “single summer.”
July 7
Kansas City, Mo.
Taylor’s version of “Speak Now” debuts — with a changed (and some say “unfortunate”) lyric.
Taylor Lautner, a Swift ex, joins her onstage to much fanfare.
July 12
Taylor’s impact on the Philadelphia economy is noted by the Federal Reserve.
July 15
Denver
Taylor faithful keep a concert going on a delayed flight.
July 17
Taylor’s version of “Speak Now” debuts at No. 1. She becomes the woman with the most chart-topping albums in history, and holds four of the top 10 spots in the Billboard 200 for the week.
July 19
Seattle
Taylor fans’ need for friendship bracelets causes a spike in sales at a local bead store.
July 22 and 23
“Taylor-quakes” rock Lumen Field.
July 26
Taylor can’t connect with Travis Kelce, who had hoped to slip her his number.
Aug. 2
Taylor gives every tour truck driver $100,000.
Aug. 3
Taylor adds more North American tour dates.
Aug. 9
Inglewood, Calif.
Taylor announces that “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is coming as she closes the initial leg of her tour. The stars came out to see her off.
Up next: Aug. 24
Mexico City
Taylor is taking two weeks off before the tour’s international leg starts. Time to begin again.
