The evolution of Tay-Tay: How Taylor Swift became one of pop music’s all-time greats

Ahead of tickets going on sale for her Dublin tour dates next year, Ed Power looks at the rise of Taylor Swift's popularity and the growth of the 'Swiftie' fanbase in Ireland and globally

Taylor Swift music is ever-evolving, but she always sounds like herself.

It’s finally happening. After months of speculation and weeks of hyperventilation, tickets for Taylor Swift’s 2024 Aviva Stadium dates are finally about to go on sale to the general public. At least they are if you’re one of the minority of Swifties randomly selected for the Ticketmaster shortlist. Everyone else – half the country, it seems– is on the waiting list: a wait that now looks set to stretch on and on… 

Pop stars come and go – but it’s hard to think of another tour that has generated the levels of hope, despair and swooning excitement created by Swift with Eras. In an Irish context, the only parallel is Garth Brooks’ five nights at Croke Park last year. That, however, was an Irish love affair. In the case of Swift, the obsession is global.