What’s Next for Taylor Swift After the Eras Tour?

News Desk

Islamabad: After nearly two years, a record-breaking $2 billion global tour, and a cultural phenomenon that even reportedly triggered earthquakes, the question on everyone’s mind is: what could Taylor Swift possibly do next?

With her 35th birthday approaching on Friday, Swift’s accomplishments in recent years have been monumental. She has released nine albums in just five years, including a concert feature film, and completed a career-spanning tour that included 149 shows across the world, with performances often lasting over three hours.

The Eras Tour became a global sensation, attracting millions of fans, many of whom were willing to sing along from parking lots when they couldn’t get tickets.

According to Andrew Mall, an ethnomusicologist at Northeastern University, Swift’s next move should involve rest. “Taylor Swift just needs to rest, frankly,” he said, acknowledging that topping the success of the Eras Tour “isn’t possible right away” due to the immense cultural and economic impact it had.

Kristin Lieb, an expert at Emerson College on pop culture, branding, and gender, agrees, adding that the pressure to immediately follow up a monumental achievement is unfair. “The minute you finish a marathon or win the World Series, the first question is always, ‘What’s next?’ It’s a real cultural sickness,” Lieb noted.

Despite this, the entertainment industry constantly demands fresh, new content, and fans are eager to see what Swift will do next. Swifties are still awaiting more “Taylor’s Version” albums, as Swift re-records her first six studio albums in a bid to regain ownership of her music rights. Two albums remain, “Reputation” and “Taylor Swift.”

Additionally, Swift is set to attend the Grammy Awards in February with six nominations, including three in the top categories for her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, her fifth release since 2019. Her surprise album announcements at previous Grammy ceremonies have kept fans on their toes, and they eagerly anticipate what might come next.

But perhaps the larger question is: how does an artist like Swift define success after reaching the peak of global stardom? According to Lieb, the good news for Swift is that at this stage in her career, she has the freedom to decide her path. “She’s literally the biggest star in the world, and so that is entirely up to her,” Lieb said.

There are countless possibilities for what Swift could do next. A live album, a Las Vegas residency, or even further expansion of her brand into products are all options.

Additionally, years ago, Swift announced she had written an original screenplay and would be making her directorial debut with Searchlight Pictures, which could suggest she has her sights set on Hollywood and possibly the Oscars.

What’s clear is that Swift has cultivated a strong, self-sustaining fanbase that may be willing to give her the time and space she needs. Lieb notes that Swifties are likely to honor their idol’s need for rest, as they have fostered a deeper, almost communal relationship with her, reminiscent of the devoted fan base of the Grateful Dead.

The immense success of the Eras Tour, Mall points out, grew from years of prolific music-making and building an audience. As a result, Swift may need time to develop new material before embarking on another project of similar magnitude.

Ultimately, the key question remains: What does Taylor Swift want for herself? “What would be challenging and fulfilling for her?” Lieb asks, suggesting that, amid all the expectations, Swift might prioritize her own desires over external pressures.

Swift’s personal life has also been in the public eye, with her high-profile relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce, and it’s possible that she may simply want to enjoy life and savor the fruits of her labor.

In the end, Mall sums it up: “Do we need Taylor Swift, or does she need us?” The consensus? She doesn’t need anyone – at least not in the way the world might think. She has already defined her own success, and now it’s entirely up to her to decide what’s next.