In the five years since Taylor Swift鈥檚 last tour, 鈥淩eputation,鈥� the artist has released four new albums as well as re-recorded two more. 鈥淟over,鈥� 鈥淔olklore,鈥� 鈥淓vermore鈥� and, most recently, 鈥淢idnights,鈥� were all produced in this five-year span.聽
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Swift鈥檚 touring plans were halted, along with artists around the world. High demand for Swift鈥檚 tickets then became apparent following her recent tour announcement, when fans 鈥� also known as Swifties 鈥� attempted to purchase tickets on Ticketmaster for Swift鈥檚 newest tour, 鈥淭he Eras Tour.鈥�
Hana Abdelmoshen (鈥�26) said although she did not personally try to buy tickets for the tour, she was aware of the controversy through posts shared on social media platforms.
鈥淚 just saw a bunch of videos of people, like, comparing it to buying a house, since many of the tickets are worth so much,鈥� Abdelmoshen said. 鈥淏ut, since she hasn鈥檛 had the tours for such a long time they will hopefully be worth it.鈥�
According to , more than 14 million people logged onto Ticketmaster to purchase tickets. The sale was canceled due to high demand, leaving many people without an opportunity to purchase tickets, according to .
Eduardo Pilnik (鈥�24) said even though he did not try to buy tickets, he is sympathetic toward those who had to deal with the problems surrounding Ticketmaster.聽
鈥淚 feel bad for all the people who weren鈥檛 able to get tickets,鈥� Pilnik said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 quite poor on Ticketmaster for not handling the demand and buying very well.鈥澛�
Chase Cerrell (鈥�24), who said she is a self-proclaimed Swiftie, said Ticketmaster was in the wrong regarding the ticket mishandling and that it is unfortunate for her fans.
鈥淭icketmaster should really be more organized with how they operate,鈥� Cerrell said. 鈥淚t sucks for her fans though since a lot of people won鈥檛 be able to see the show. That鈥檚 really on Ticketmaster.鈥�
Pilnik said he echoes the notion that Ticketmaster is at fault for the failure to support demand.
鈥�Maybe she should also make sure she鈥檚 using credible companies,鈥� he said. 鈥渋t鈥檚 still on them to make it a good service.鈥�
Abdelmoshen said the sale was a large issue and it is solely due to Swift’s large fan base that the mishap gained publicity.聽
It sucks for her fans though since a lot of people won鈥檛 be able to see the show. That鈥檚 really on Ticketmaster.
— Chase Cerrell ('23)
鈥淚 really don鈥檛 feel like it鈥檚 a big problem, a lot of artists have had more demand for their tours and concerts and stuff,鈥� Abdelmoshen said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 literally just because it鈥檚 Taylor Swift. She鈥檚 such a big name in the industry, it鈥檚 obvious that people will know more about her.鈥�
Ultimately, Cerrell said she hopes the tour will be successful since it has been many years since 鈥淩eputation.鈥澛�
鈥淚t鈥檚 really cool that she鈥檚 getting that much attention,鈥� Cerrell said. 鈥淗er concert does look really cool so I can understand why everyone would want to go.鈥�
