Taylor Swift is set to bring her nearly two-year-long “Eras Tour” to a spectacular close with three sold-out nights at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia.
After nearly 2 years, the tour, which launched on March 17, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona, has since grossed over $1 billion, marking a historic chapter in the pop superstar’s career.
Here’s a recap of the unforgettable moments that made headlines during Swift’s record-breaking tour.
Travis Kelce Joins Swift Onstage
In a surprise moment that left fans buzzing, Swift’s boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, appeared onstage during a June performance. Dressed in costume, Kelce helped transition between tracks in the “Tortured Poets Department” segment.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end dramatically lifted Swift after her symbolic fall at the end of “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” carrying her across the stage to set the scene for her next song, “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.” This heartfelt gesture resonated with fans, as it mirrored Swift’s emotional journey at the start of the tour following her breakup with Joe Alwyn. Kelce even clicked his heels as he exited the stage, adding a lighthearted touch to the dramatic moment.
Wardrobe Mishap in Stockholm
Swift navigated an unexpected wardrobe malfunction with her signature poise during her Stockholm stop. Midway through her acoustic set, the singer paused to adjust her outfit, addressing the crowd with humor.
“Talk amongst yourselves,” she quipped, before revealing the bra top and shorts she wears for her next set. The quick fix underscored her ability to handle surprises with grace while keeping fans entertained.
A Lyric Change for Travis Kelce
Fans were thrilled when Swift subtly acknowledged Kelce during a performance of her hit song “Karma.” While closing the show, she swapped the original lyric, “Karma is the guy on the screen, coming straight home to me,” to “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs, coming straight home to me.”
Kelce later admitted on his podcast, New Heights, that he had an inkling something special might happen, but hearing it live still caught him off guard.
Emotional Tribute to Kobe Bryant’s Daughter
During an August 3 concert in Los Angeles, Swift paid tribute to Kobe Bryant’s daughter Bianka by gifting her the black fedora she wears during her performance of “22.” The moment was particularly poignant as Bianka attended the show with her mother, Vanessa Bryant, and sisters, following the tragic loss of Kobe and Gianna Bryant in 2020.
Surprising Fans with a New Setlist
Swift unveiled a completely new setlist following the release of her 12th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department. Announced at the 2024 Grammys and recorded during tour breaks in 2023, the album debuted on April 19.
When the tour resumed in France in May, Swift stunned fans by incorporating the album into her set. In her recently released Eras Tour book, she described the vision behind the dramatic changes, including themes of alien abduction, mental institutions, and female rage. “It was ambitious as hell,” she wrote, “but we pulled it off.”
Royalty Meets Pop Royalty
In June, Prince William celebrated his 42nd birthday at Swift’s concert at Wembley Stadium. Backstage, the Prince of Wales, accompanied by his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, met the superstar and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Prince William later shared a selfie with Swift on social media, thanking her for the memorable night.
Spotify’s Most-Streamed Artist of 2024
Swift wrapped up the year as Spotify’s most-streamed artist for the second year in a row, amassing an astounding 26.6 billion streams globally. Her achievement was driven in large part by the continued success of The Eras Tour and her connection with fans.
“Top Streamed Artist AND Album on @spotify this year?! You guys are unbelievable,” Swift shared on Instagram, thanking her fans ahead of her final weekend of performances.
