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Reputation Stadium Tour
Reputation Stadium Tour
Reputation Stadium Tour
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Reputation Stadium Tour
Tour by Taylor Swift
Black and white photo of Swift covering her face with her hands wearing a serpentine ring
Promotional poster for the tour
Location
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • England
  • Ireland
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • United States
Associated albumReputation
Start dateMay 8, 2018 (2018-05-08)
End dateNovember 21, 2018 (2018-11-21)
No. of shows53
Supporting acts
Attendance2.88 million
Box office$345.6 million[a]
Taylor Swift concert chronology

The Reputation Stadium Tour was the fifth concert tour and the first all-stadium tour by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, in support of her sixth studio album, Reputation (2017). It began in Glendale, Arizona, United States, on May 8, 2018, and concluded in Tokyo, Japan, on November 21, 2018. The tour encompassed 53 shows and visited 7 countries in total.

The set list consisted mostly of the songs from Reputation and some from Swift's other albums. The stage incorporated prominent snake motifs and imagery as decoration, reflecting the album's concept and Swift's public image. The main stage had a wedge-shaped display resembling a skyscraper under construction and was equipped with elaborate lighting, and two smaller B-stages were used for acoustic “surprise song” performances. The October 6, 2018, show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was recorded and released as a Netflix original concert film on December 31, 2018; it has since been removed from Netflix for unknown reasons.

Music critics commented that the production evoked Goth subculture and Broadway theatricality, praising the stage design, production, and wardrobe. They lauded Swift's showmanship and interactions with her audience that brought forth an exhilarating yet intimate experience. The Reputation Stadium Tour received 2.88 million attendees and grossed $345.6 million,[2] becoming the highest-grossing US and North American tour upon completion. It was awarded Tour of the Year at the People's Choice Awards, American Music Awards, and iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Background and development

[edit]

Taylor Swift begаn the promotional cycle for her 2017 studio album Reputation with the release of the lead single "Look What You Made Me Do" on August 24.[3] Concurrently, as reported by Billboard, Swift partnered with Ticketmaster for a "Verified Fan" program to prevent bots and ticket scalpers from purchasing concert tickets. The program, named "Taylor Swift Tix", allowed fans to purchase tickets in advance of the public on-sale by participating in activities such as buying Swift's music, streaming her videos, and engaging in miscellaneous "unique activities" to increase chances of getting a pre-sale access code.[3][4] Reputation was released on November 10, 2017, to immediate commercial success: within first week of release, it sold over one million copies in the US[5] and two million copies worldwide.[6]

On November 13, 2017, Swift's management announced the first 27 dates across the US of the Reputation Stadium Tour;[7][8] tickets went on sale to the general public on December 13.[9] On November 27, Swift announced the first three UK dates.[10] Two days later, thanks to overwhelming demand even before pre-sale began, Swift announced nine additional dates—three for the UK, five for the US, and one for Canada.[11][12] On December 3, Swift announced five dates for Australasia.[13][14] In January 2018, due to high demand, Swift added second dates in Santa Clara, Landover, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and Arlington and third dates in East Rutherford and Foxborough, totaling 40 shows for the tour's North American leg.[15]

On March 1, 2018, Swift officially announced Camila Cabello and Charli XCX as the opening acts for the Reputation Stadium Tour.[16] Cabello was previously speculated as the opening act as the shows for her Never Be the Same Tour did not coincide with Swift's tour dates;[17] Portland's Live 95.5 also announced her in a sweepstake for the concert of June 22, 2018, at Wembley Stadium in London through a since-deleted post on Twitter, one day before Swift confirmed her as the opening act.[18]

On May 7, 2018, the day before the tour kicked off at Glendale, Arizona, Swift invited 2,000 foster and adopted children to a private dress rehearsal.[19] The following day, she announced two shows in Tokyo in partnership with Fujifilm Instax, with Charli XCX as the opening act.[20][21][22] In September, Broods was announced as an opening act for the Oceania leg of the tour.[23]

During the shows, Swift performed "surprise songs" as part of an acoustic segment at different concerts. The songs varied by venue and were taken from Swift's back catalog. A streaming-exclusive compilation playlist, Reputation Stadium Tour Surprise Song Playlist, was released to digital music platforms on November 30, 2018.[24][25] The playlist was certified triple platinum in Brazil.[26]

Critical reception

[edit]
refer to caption
Swift performing "Look What You Made Me Do" with background dancers on a tilted stage with golden snakes decoration

Media publications and journalists gave the tour rave reviews and many of them deemed it one of the best tours of 2018.[27][28][29] The concerts were complimented for Swift's on-stage persona and intimacy with the audience, the versatile set list and the transition between songs, production value, the stripped-down performances and wardrobe choices, with many commentators noting the Gothic visuals and costumes and Broadway theatricality of the show.[28][30][31]

Stereogum's Chris DeVille deemed it a "hyper-maximalist" tour and "a perpetual gargantuan flex, a roving musical Infinity War that amplifies everything extra about her persona to an exponential scope" and added that it is designed to be "the biggest spectacle in all of summer entertainment". He also described the tour as "an oversized, high-tech touring Broadway production with a mostly tremendous soundtrack" and concluded that "when discussing the biggest artists of her [Swift's] generation, she's undeniably on the shortlist" and that the singer has ascended to the same "rarefied" tier as the "classic rock deities who've echoed across this venue [the Horseshoe] before her, able to keep commanding stadium status for the rest of her career".[31] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone named the tour as Swift's "most astounding tour yet" and complimented it for giving "it all the vibe of a mass communion" despite aiming for "maximum stadium-rock razzle-dazzle bombast". He observed the acoustic performances of Swift's fan-favorite deep cuts and dubbed them "a powerhouse performance that made all the different Taylors sound like part of the same story".[32]

The Guardian's Bob Gordon thought that "...Ready for It?" is "an appropriate and compelling opener". He opined that Swift made a "striking entrance" with "no elevation or descent, simply walking out from behind a curtain bathed in brilliant white light, in what was a real 'now I'm here' moment, as Freddie Mercury would once have put it".[33] Awarding the tour five stars, Roisin O'Connor of The Independent lauded the set-list and how it "transitions seamlessly from one song to another, crafted out of some of the best from Swift's canon". Also, she compared the tour to a Broadway show because the stage was "flooded with red lighting and dancers swing from trapeze with all the splendour of a Broadway show".[30] Lydia Burgham of The Spinoff defined the tour's Auckland concert a "theatrical, mega-production that somehow also strips down to raw intimate moments". Commenting on the set list, she noted that Swift "had the crowd aching for more with the commencement of every song, thanks to seamless transitions". Burgham highlighted the intimacy of Swift's acoustic guitar and piano performances that proved Swift remained "integral to her singer-songwriter origins". Burgham summarized her review by stating that "there may not be an artist in this lifetime who quite manages to connect to thousands of people on a rainy night as well as Taylor Swift can – and that's the reputation she will be remembered for".[34]

Variety's Chris Willman wrote that the show "had plenty of fierceness, especially in the early going" but also the "pre-decedent Taylor on the line… the guileless Swift we remember from two or three skins ago", and commended Swift for using her two hours on the stage to "paint a rewardingly holistic picture". Willman believed that, despite the huge production, "we're still left not so much with dragons or defensiveness but in the endearingly earnest presence of pop's most approachable superstar". He further remarked that the acoustic performance of "Dancing with Our Hands Tied" proved that Reputation worked acoustically as well, without the "Max Martin-izing".[35] Randy Lewis of Los Angeles Times wrote that Swift gave "a master class in the constructive use of the modern technology that's allowed her to establish and nurture an exceptionally powerful connection with a massive audience." He underlined the use of light-up bracelets that allowed the attendees "to feel like participants, even collaborators, rather than passive observers" and appreciated the stage's resemblance to "a skyscraper in progress, with six crane-like contraptions stretching up above a wedge-like screen". Lewis summarized the show as "tightly structured for the most part, featuring elaborate production numbers that rely on video projection, eye-popping lighting and pyrotechnics, choreography and precisely coordinated interaction among the star, band, singers and dancers".[29]

Reviewing for V magazine, Greg Krelenstein stated that Swift possesses "a rare gift of turning a stadium spectacle into an intimate setting", with the new persona the singer adopted on Reputation album cycle suiting itself "excellently to a show of this magnitude where she appears larger than life". He thought that Swift fully embraced her vast back catalog and praised her command of the stage—"whether plucking a guitar or leading an army of dancers" that showed that Swift's musical and performance evolution is an "absolute success". Krelenstein concluded that the pop star "delivers in every way to a mesmerized and devoted audience, re-defining what the modern stadium tour can be".[28] Ed Masley of The Arizona Republic wrote that "there were many moments in the course Swift's performance that felt like she was playing to the back rows of the stadium by simply sharing with her fans", while complimenting the tour's production and Swift's connection with the crowd.[36] Jim Harrington of The Mercury News asserted that the singer's vocal work and performance skills have improved over the years, and added that "her game is well-rounded enough that she can excel equally at every different aspect of the show."[37] Chris Tuite of CBS San Francisco wrote: "The only thing more prominent than the singer herself during her current costume-change filled spectacle are the massive, vicious looking snakes that symbolically appear throughout the set."[38] Michael Tritsch of 303 magazine raved that the tour "broke new ground and set the bar high for future stadium tours", burning "its way into the history books".[39]

Commercial performance

[edit]
Swift broke many ticket sales and revenue records, including one at CenturyLink Field in Seattle (performance pictured).

Ticket sales

[edit]

After four days of sales through the Verified Fan platform and three days of sales to the general public that began December 13, the tour had already grossed $180 million from 33 dates in North America alone.[40] Pollstar reported data supplied by the Gridiron Stadium Network, a consortium of NFL facilities that work together to book concerts at their buildings, which showed at least 35,000 tickets had been sold at ten of the stadiums on the route as of December 18. The tickets sold ranged from 35,419 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh to a high of 48,039 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. With more than 47,000 tickets sold, it was reported the May 12, 2018, date at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara was generating close to $9 million in ticket revenue, which prompted the addition of an extra date.[41]

According to StubHub, the tour is the best-selling female tour in the United Kingdom in 2018.[42]

Boxscore

[edit]

The first seven shows of the tour grossed $54 million with 390,000 tickets sold, leading Swift to the top of Billboard's Hot Tours chart in June 2018.[43] She performed to sold-out crowds of 59,157 in Glendale and 107,550 in Santa Clara (over two nights), grossing $7.21 million and $14 million respectively, while the Pasadena shows combined for a gross of nearly $16.3 million and Seattle accounted more than $8.6 million.[43][44][45] The concerts in Louisville and Columbus, reported in July 2018, grossed $11.5 million with around 115,000 tickets sold, with the latter city having the highest gross and most tickets sold, with approximately 63,000 tickets and $6.6 million. These concerts led the singer once again to the top of Hot Tours chart.[46]

Records

[edit]
Swift performing at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, where she became the first woman to headline a concert at that stadium

The tour broke multiple venue attendance and grossing records. The opening show at University of Phoenix Stadium set new venue records in both gross and attendance, topping Metallica's $5.2 million gross from August 2017 by almost $2 million. With 59,157 tickets sold, Swift also broke the attendance record set by One Direction on their Where We Are Tour in 2014 by 2,633 seats.[47] With a $14 million take from 107,550 sold tickets at Levi's Stadium, she topped her own gross and attendance counts set during the 1989 World Tour in 2015. With more than 118,000 fans in attendance at the Rose Bowl, the two-show run earned $16.2 million and set a new gross record for a single headliner at the venue, surpassing U2's 2017 record by over $467,000. Grossing records previously set by U2 as well were broken at Seattle's CenturyLink Field, where she topped their Joshua Tree Tour 2017 gross by $2.4 million, and Denver's Sports Authority Field at Mile High, where she surpassed the $6.6 million gross set by the band in 2011 during their 360° Tour by $1.2 million.[43]

Swift performing at MetLife Stadium where she became the first female artist in history to headline and sell out three consecutive shows at the stadium

Swift made history by becoming the first ever female artist to headline Dublin's Croke Park twice, with reportedly 136,000 fans in attendance.[48] Similarly, she became the first woman to headline three consecutive nights at MetLife Stadium[49] and Gillette Stadium.[50]

Following the 29th show in North America at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the tour had grossed $202.3 million in the continent ($191.1 million in the United States and $11.1 million in Canada), thus breaking Swift's own record of the highest-grossing North American tour by a female artist, previously held by the 1989 World Tour, with fewer dates.[51] The tour eventually broke the overall record set by the Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang Tour to become the highest-grossing tour in US and North American history, grossing $266.1 million, besting the Rolling Stones' $245 million gross. The Rolling Stones achieved their then-record from 70 American shows, while Swift did so with just 38 shows.[52] Additionally, the Reputation Stadium Tour holds the Guinness World Record for 2018's highest-grossing tour by a female artist.[53]

Honor

[edit]

Mark Dayton, Governor of Minnesota (2011–2019), declared August 31, 2018, as "Taylor Swift Day" in the state in honor of Swift's two shows (August 31 and September 1) at the United States Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. He remarked that "through her personal and honest music, Taylor Swift has energized and inspired not only Minnesotans, but people all over the world, and is a positive influence on her fans through her example of truthfulness, grace, extensive philanthropy, and strength of character".[54]

Awards

[edit]
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2018 Billboard Live Music Awards Top U.S. Tour Won
[55]
Top Tour Nominated
Top Boxscore (MetLife Stadium (July 20–22, 2018) Nominated
American Music Awards Tour of the Year Won
[56]
People's Choice Awards Concert Tour of the Year Won
[57]
Guinness World Records Highest Grossing Music Tour by a Female Artist in 2018 Won [58]
2019 Billboard Live Music Awards Concert and Marketing Promotions Award (Taylor Swift x Fujifilm Activation for the Reputation Stadium Tour) Nominated [59]
Pollstar Awards Best Pop Tour Won
[60]
iHeartRadio Music Awards Tour of the Year Won
[61]
Ticketmaster Awards Touring Milestone Award Won [62]
2020 Art Directors Guild Awards Variety, Reality or Competition Series Nominated
[63]

Set list

[edit]

This set list is from the concert on May 8, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona.[64] It is not intended to represent all shows throughout the tour.

  1. "...Ready for It?"
  2. "I Did Something Bad"
  3. "Gorgeous"
  4. "Style" / "Love Story" / "You Belong with Me"
  5. "Look What You Made Me Do"
  6. "End Game"
  7. "King of My Heart"
  8. "Delicate"
  9. "Shake It Off" (with Camila Cabello and Charli XCX)
  10. "Dancing with Our Hands Tied"
  11. Surprise song
  12. "Blank Space"
  13. "Dress"
  14. "Bad Blood" / "Should've Said No"
  15. "Don't Blame Me"
  16. "Long Live" / "New Year's Day"
  17. "Getaway Car"
  18. "Call It What You Want"
  19. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" / "This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things"

Surprise songs

[edit]

The following songs were performed by Swift as surprise songs:[65]

Notes

[edit]

Special guests

[edit]

On select dates, Swift performed a duet with a special guest.

Concert film

[edit]

Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour is a concert film documenting the second performance at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, of the Reputation Stadium Tour.[83] It was released on December 31, 2018, exclusively via Netflix for a limited time.

Swift announced on social media on her birthday, December 13, that the concert film would be released globally in partnership with Netflix on New Year's Eve. It was filmed on the last day of the North American leg of the tour. For their work on the film, Tamlyn Wright and Baz Halpin were nominated in the category "Variety, Reality or Event Special" at the 24th Art Directors Guild Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards.[84] The film left Netflix on December 30, 2023, five years after its original release.[85][86]

Critical reception

[edit]

The film received widespread critical acclaim upon release, with many critics labeling the film as "immortalizing" and "unforgettable". Commentators praised the camerawork from director Paul Dugdale for documenting Swift's "stardom", the crowd's emotions, and the production involved in the concert. Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield wrote that the film "immortalizes her best tour yet" and that the film shows off "the stadium-rocking spectacle without toning down any of her songs' one-on-one emotional intimacy".[83] Describing the Netflix special as "the end of an era", Amanda Petrusich of The New Yorker opined that the film "will soon either be regarded as a museum piece or as a testament to Swift's era-defying longevity".[87]

Billboard's Denis Warner stated that the film "illuminates the singer's power, dedication, and strength as an artist". He further stated that the film "allows you to get more of a feel of the singer as a performer – and experience just how delicately everything is staged" and appreciated Swift for giving "a gorgeous look into her [Swift's] world as one of today's greatest entertainers".[88] Decider's Benjamin Smith called the film as an "intimate document of an impersonal event". He further expanded that Swift "will stand the test of time more than her fellow early 21st century pop queens", stating the reason "Taylor Swift is perhaps the only one who has figured out a way to turn her music into something more than mere pop".[89] Complimenting Swift's connection with her fans, Nardin Saad of Los Angeles Times stated that "the 10-time Grammy-winner's star power is tantamount as evidenced" in the film.[90]

Katie Collins of CNET opined that the film "serves as a reminder that no matter what else happens, Swift's stardom is perennial" and praised the film for "the divine showcase of the costumes, the dancing and especially Swift's own barely-contained effervescent joy at being on stage". She further complimented the camerawork, stating "closeups brought new insights" into the show.[91] Nicholas Hautman of Us Weekly appreciated the camerawork for depicting "the fans hysterically crying and screaming in support of their idol".[92] Writing for Uproxx, Chloe Gilke labelled the film as a "masterful documentation of the magical energy at a pop show" and as "a love letter to the audience at her shows, and to her fans", while stating that the film "honors the sacred joy of her [Swift's] performance that night, and the people who made it happen". She lauded the camerawork for capturing "the massive scope of the production from every angle," and the audio which "is crystal-clear and beautiful, with the crowd quieted down so viewers at home can hear Swift best."[93]

[edit]
  1. "...Ready for It?"
  2. "I Did Something Bad"
  3. "Gorgeous"
  4. "Style" / "Love Story" / "You Belong with Me"
  5. "Look What You Made Me Do"
  6. "End Game"
  7. "King of My Heart"
  8. "Delicate"
  9. "Shake It Off" (with Camila Cabello and Charli XCX)
  10. "Dancing with Our Hands Tied"
  11. "All Too Well"
  12. "Blank Space"
  13. "Dress"
  14. "Bad Blood" / "Should've Said No"
  15. "Don't Blame Me"
  16. "Long Live" / "New Year's Day"
  17. "Getaway Car"
  18. "Call It What You Want"
  19. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" / "This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things"

Tour dates

[edit]
List of 2018 concerts, showing date, city, country, venue, opening acts, attendance and gross revenue[94]
Date (2018) City Country Venue Opening acts Attendance Revenue
May 8 Glendale United States University of Phoenix Stadium Camila Cabello
Charli XCX 		59,157 / 59,157 $7,214,478
May 11 Santa Clara Levi's Stadium 107,550 / 107,550 $14,006,963
May 12
May 18 Pasadena Rose Bowl 118,084 / 118,084 $16,251,980
May 19
May 22 Seattle CenturyLink Field Charli XCX[b] 56,021 / 56,021 $8,672,219
May 25 Denver Sports Authority Field at Mile High Camila Cabello
Charli XCX 		57,140 / 57,140 $7,926,366
June 1 Chicago Soldier Field 105,208 / 105,208 $14,576,697
June 2
June 8 Manchester England Etihad Stadium 77,258 / 77,258 $6,169,724
June 9
June 15 Dublin Ireland Croke Park 133,034 / 133,034 $8,567,769
June 16
June 22 London England Wembley Stadium 143,427 / 143,427 $12,214,933
June 23
June 30 Louisville United States Cardinal Stadium 52,138 / 52,138 $4,928,219
July 7 Columbus Ohio Stadium 62,897 / 62,897 $6,606,529
July 10 Landover FedExField 95,672 / 95,672 $11,396,004
July 11
July 13 Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field 107,378 / 107,378 $11,951,047
July 14
July 17 Cleveland FirstEnergy Stadium 51,323 / 51,323 $5,148,757
July 20 East Rutherford MetLife Stadium 165,654 / 165,654 $22,031,386
July 21
July 22
July 26 Foxborough Gillette Stadium 174,764 / 174,764 $21,779,846
July 27
July 28
August 3 Toronto Canada Rogers Centre 100,310 / 100,310 $11,177,000
August 4
August 7 Pittsburgh United States Heinz Field 56,445 / 56,445 $6,230,876
August 10 Atlanta Mercedes-Benz Stadium 116,746 / 116,746 $18,089,415
August 11
August 14 Tampa Raymond James Stadium 55,909 / 55,909 $7,244,264
August 18 Miami Gardens Hard Rock Stadium 47,818 / 47,818 $7,072,164
August 25 Nashville Nissan Stadium 56,112 / 56,112 $9,007,179
August 28 Detroit Ford Field 49,464 / 49,464 $6,597,852
August 31 Minneapolis U.S. Bank Stadium 98,774 / 98,774 $10,242,024
September 1
September 8 Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium 58,611 / 58,611 $6,730,138
September 15 Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium 55,729 / 55,729 $6,531,245
September 18 St. Louis The Dome at America's Center 47,831 / 47,831 $4,884,054
September 22 New Orleans Mercedes-Benz Superdome 53,172 / 53,172 $6,491,546
September 29 Houston NRG Stadium 53,800 / 53,800 $9,350,275
October 5 Arlington AT&T Stadium 105,002 / 105,002 $15,006,157
October 6
October 19 Perth Australia Optus Stadium Charli XCX
Broods 		50,891 / 50,891 $4,153,658
October 26 Melbourne Marvel Stadium 63,027 / 63,027 $6,755,570
November 2 Sydney ANZ Stadium 72,805 / 72,805 $7,686,564
November 6 Brisbane The Gabba 43,907 / 43,907 $4,338,127
November 9 Auckland New Zealand Mount Smart Stadium 35,749 / 35,749 $3,617,593
November 20 Tokyo Japan Tokyo Dome Charli XCX 100,109 / 100,109 $14,859,847
November 21
Total 2,888,922 / 2,888,922 (100%) $345,675,146

Personnel

[edit]

Band

  • Max Bernstein – guitar, keyboards
  • Matt Billingslea – drums
  • David Cook - musical director, keyboards
  • Amos Heller – bass, synth bass
  • Mike Meadows – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Paul Sidoti – guitar
  • Jeslyn Gorman – backing vocals
  • Kamilah Marshall – backing vocals
  • Melanie Nyema – backing vocals
  • Eliotte Woodford – backing vocals

Dancers

  • Maho Udo - dance captain
  • Grant Gilmore
  • Stephanie Mincone
  • Nadine Olmo
  • Toshi Davidson
  • Jake Kodish
  • Robert Green
  • Jake Landgrebe
  • Giuseppe Giofre
  • Mark Villaver
  • Christian Owens
  • Jazz Smith
  • Gracie Stewart
  • Maria Wada
  • Yorelis Apolinario
  • Christian Hendersen

Notes

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Reputation Stadium Tour

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Reputation Stadium Tour was the fifth headlining by American , and her first to exclusively play stadium venues, launched to promote her sixth studio album, (2017). The tour consisted of 53 shows across seven countries—, , , , , , and —beginning on May 8, 2018, at Stadium in , and ending on November 21, 2018, at in , . Featuring elaborate production elements including a snake-inspired stage design, massive LED screens, hydraulic platforms, and fireworks, the shows typically lasted nearly two hours and included a mix of tracks alongside hits from Swift's earlier albums, with nightly acoustic "surprise songs" performed on secondary stages. Opening acts varied by leg, with and supporting the North American and European dates, while joined for the shows. The tour was a commercial juggernaut, grossing $345.7 million from 2.9 million tickets sold, marking it as the highest-grossing U.S. tour in boxscore history at the time and Swift's biggest earner until her . Critics praised the tour for its high-energy spectacle, Swift's vocal prowess, and thematic cohesion tying into Reputation's narrative of resilience and reinvention, with reviews hailing it as the peak of her live performances and one of the best tours of 2018. Notable moments included surprise guest appearances by artists like , , and , as well as Swift's philanthropic efforts, including inviting 2,000 foster and adopted children to a pre-tour rehearsal concert in for free. The tour's Dallas show on October 6, 2018, was documented in the Netflix concert film Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour, directed by Paul Dugdale, which premiered on December 31, 2018, and highlighted behind-the-scenes preparations alongside full performances, earning acclaim for its intimate portrayal of Swift's artistry amid intense media scrutiny. The film was later made available for purchase and rental on various platforms after leaving Netflix in 2023.

Background and development

Announcement and promotion

Taylor Swift announced the Reputation Stadium Tour on November 13, 2017, via her official website and social media channels, shortly after the release of her sixth studio album, Reputation, on November 10, 2017. The initial reveal detailed the first leg of 27 stadium shows across North America, set to commence on May 8, 2018, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and conclude on October 6, 2018, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This tour marked Swift's first all-stadium production and was explicitly positioned in support of Reputation, an album exploring themes of intense media scrutiny on her personal life and personal empowerment amid public backlash. Promotional efforts for the tour were deeply integrated with the album's marketing campaign, which had begun earlier in 2017 with a deliberate blackout across Swift's platforms in late August, followed by cryptic teasers such as timestamped videos and newspaper-style advertisements hinting at reclaiming her . Key singles like "...Ready for It?", released as a promotional track on September 3, 2017, and sent to radio on October 24, 2017, built anticipation by showcasing the album's bold, trap-influenced sound that aligned with the tour's high-energy format. Exclusive merchandise lines, including apparel and accessories themed around Reputation's snake motif and dark aesthetic, were launched alongside the and extended into tour-specific items available through presales, further immersing fans in the album's of resilience. To facilitate fan access, Swift implemented the Taylor Swift Tix program, a verified fan system where participants earned "boosts" toward presale eligibility by engaging with her , such as purchasing or streaming videos, rewarding dedicated supporters with priority entry starting December 5, 2017. General ticket sales opened on December 13, 2017, via , with subsequent announcements adding European dates in December 2017, leg in May 2018, and Japan dates in August 2018, the tour ultimately expanding to 53 shows across , , , and to meet demand, emphasizing Swift's strategy of direct fan engagement over traditional media promotion.

Production and staging

The production of Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour was led by show director and lighting designer Baz Halpin, who oversaw the integration of theatrical elements with high-tech visuals to embody the album's themes of media scrutiny and rebirth. Associate director Melissa Garcia collaborated closely with Halpin to choreograph transitions between performance segments, while Tamlyn Wright crafted the overall aesthetic, incorporating motifs drawn from the album's imagery. Production manager Arthur Kemish handled logistics for the 53-show run, ensuring seamless execution across continents. Staging innovations centered on a dramatic V-shaped main stage spanning 55 meters wide, with each arm extending 33 meters to create a 66-meter performance area that immersed audiences in the narrative. A 172-foot by 40-foot curved LED video wall dominated the backdrop, splitting into 12 movable columns that fragmented into 48 individual screens for dynamic projections of snakes and shadowy figures, enhancing the tour's cinematic feel. The snake-like catwalk snaked through the crowd via two B-stages, allowing Swift to interact intimately, while a 30-foot inflatable cobra prop rose behind the stage during key moments, accompanied by thematic elements like a giant snake basket for dramatic entrances. Confetti cannons and pyrotechnics punctuated high-energy sequences, with two flying gondolas enabling aerial movements that symbolized escape and empowerment. Rehearsals took place over four weeks at Rock Lititz in , where the team constructed a partial setup due to venue height constraints, focusing on synchronizing the video mag deck—featuring shifting LED panels—with live and lighting cues programmed by associate lighting designer Eric Marchwinski. This process refined the tour's technical precision, including zip-line flights from front-of-house towers and the integration of a custom PA system hung on six 13-meter cantilevers for optimal sound distribution. Logistically, the production required four modular steel systems for the stage framework, each transported via 19 semi-trucks, totaling over 70 trucks alongside additional rigs for video, lighting, and . Safety protocols adhered to standard stadium-scale standards, including walk-through metal detectors for all attendees, venue-specific clear bag policies (e.g., A4 size in , 12” x 6” x 12” in the ), and prohibitions on professional cameras and large signs to mitigate risks in crowds exceeding 50,000. These measures, combined with on-site medical teams and evacuation plans, ensured secure operations throughout the international itinerary.

Set list and performances

Standard set list

The standard for the Reputation Stadium Tour was structured to mirror the narrative arc of Taylor Swift's sixth studio album, , progressing from themes of media scrutiny and defiance in the opening tracks to and triumphant reclamation in the later sections, while incorporating select from earlier albums to underscore her career evolution. This sequence emphasized 10 fixed tracks from , with additional ones appearing in surprise segments, blending high-production numbers with intimate acoustic moments for dynamic pacing. The remained largely consistent across the 53-show run, with the fixed backbone providing a thematic journey from aggressive anthems to reflective ballads and celebratory closers. The full main set list, as performed on opening night in (representative of the standard order, excluding one-off guest appearances), was as follows:
  1. "...Ready for It?"
  2. ""
  3. "Gorgeous"
  4. "Style / Love Story / " (medley)
  5. " Do"
  6. "End Game"
  7. "King of My Heart"
  8. "Delicate"
  9. "" (acoustic)
  10. "Dancing with Our Hands Tied" (acoustic)
  11. "" (acoustic)
  12. ""
  13. "Dress"
  14. "Bad Blood / " (medley)
  15. "Don't Blame Me"
  16. "Long Live / " (medley, piano)
  17. "...Ready for It?" (reprise)
  18. ""
Subsequent shows featured variations in the acoustic segment (positions 9–11), where Swift performed a surprise song instead of fixed repeats like "Shake It Off," but the overall structure and remaining tracks stayed consistent to maintain the album's storytelling flow. The surprise song was a single acoustic performance on guitar or during the b-stage, replacing the fixed acoustic tracks from opening night. Performances were characterized by high-energy choreography involving 16 dancers in synchronized routines, particularly during Reputation-heavy segments like "" and "Look What You Made Me Do," which incorporated snake-inspired visuals and to evoke the album's motifs of rebirth and resilience. Swift underwent eight costume changes designed by , featuring glittering bodysuits, flowing gowns, and metallic ensembles in black, gold, and purple tones that aligned with the tour's dark, glamorous aesthetic—such as the sparkling black for the opening act and the pink "cotton candy" for acoustic interludes. Transitions between acts utilized massive LED screens displaying scrolling "news ticker" headlines mimicking tabloid gossip about Swift, reinforcing the theme before seamlessly shifting to the next song via stage elevators and hydraulic platforms. The set list evolved during pre-tour rehearsals in April 2018, where Swift and her team made final tweaks to song order and transitions for optimal pacing, ensuring the concert clocked in at approximately two hours while balancing high-production spectacle with emotional depth.

Surprise songs and variations

The surprise songs segment of the Reputation Stadium Tour featured an acoustic encore where performed one unique song per show, typically on or during the b-stage portion of the . This intimate interlude provided a stark contrast to the tour's high-production Reputation-focused setlist, emphasizing stripped-down renditions of rarities and deep cuts from her earlier discography to foster a personal connection with fans. Across the tour's 53 dates from May to November 2018, Swift delivered 46 distinct surprise songs, with select tracks repeated at multiple venues to accommodate the schedule while maintaining variety. Notable examples included "All Too Well" from Red, performed in Glendale, Pasadena, and Arlington; "Wildest Dreams" from 1989 in Santa Clara; and "Holy Ground" from Red in Seattle. Other rarities encompassed "Teardrops on My Guitar" from her debut album in East Rutherford and "The Best Day" from Fearless in Foxborough, highlighting her willingness to revisit pre-Reputation material. Selections often drew from fan favorites across eras like , , and , with variations such as mashups—including "Dancing with Our Hands Tied" blended with elements from other tracks in some performances—to add spontaneity and emotional depth. This approach showcased the breadth of Swift's catalog, turning each show's acoustic moment into a highlight that rewarded dedicated attendees with exclusive live interpretations rarely heard in full-production settings.

Special guests

Throughout the Reputation Stadium Tour, Taylor Swift invited a variety of special guests to join her onstage for duets during the acoustic segment, creating collaborative highlights that amplified the tour's themes of camaraderie and defiance against public scrutiny. These appearances typically featured renditions of the guests' signature songs, selected for their energetic appeal and personal significance to Swift, and occurred on approximately 10 dates across the North American and European legs. The guests, often close friends or respected peers in pop and , were chosen based on longstanding professional and personal connections, such as shared collaborations or mutual support during Swift's career challenges. Notable performances included Shawn Mendes dueting "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on May 18, 2018, marking an early tour highlight with the Canadian singer's soaring vocals complementing Swift's. The following night, May 19, 2018, at the same venue, Troye Sivan performed "My My My!" and Selena Gomez joined for "Hands to Myself," both longtime friends whose presence underscored themes of loyalty amid Swift's reputational battles. In London at Wembley Stadium, Niall Horan sang "Slow Hands" on June 22, 2018, and Robbie Williams delivered "Angels" the next evening, June 23, infusing British flair into the international leg. Other key moments featured Hayley Kiyoko on "Curious" at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on July 26, 2018; Bryan Adams with "Summer of '69" at Rogers Stadium in Toronto on August 4, 2018; and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill revisiting Swift's debut single "Tim McGraw" at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on August 25, 2018, a nod to her country roots. The tour's final U.S. shows on October 6, 2018, at in , brought out multiple guests, including for "The Middle" and for their co-written track "Babe," the latter making its live debut and emphasizing resilience through artistic partnerships. These collaborations, rehearsed discreetly to maintain surprise, extended set lists organically and heightened audience engagement by blending Swift's narrative-driven performance with guest artists' hits, often tying into Reputation's motifs of overcoming adversity through alliances. In total, around 12 unique artists or groups appeared as special guests, fostering a sense of communal triumph that resonated with fans.

Tour itinerary

North American leg

The North American leg of the Reputation Stadium Tour comprised 40 stadium concerts across 28 cities in the United States and . The leg was split into two parts, spanning from May to early June 2018 and from late June to October 2018, with the European leg in between. This portion marked Taylor Swift's first all-stadium outing, emphasizing large-scale production in major venues while navigating a packed schedule with brief interludes for international extensions. The following table outlines the chronological schedule, including dates, cities, venues, and attendance figures:
Date(s)CityVenueAttendance
May 8, 2018Glendale, AZUniversity of Phoenix Stadium59,157
May 11–12, 2018Santa Clara, CA107,550
May 18–19, 2018Pasadena, CARose Bowl118,084
May 22, 2018, WACenturyLink Field56,021
May 25, 2018, COBroncos Stadium at 57,140
June 1–2, 2018, IL105,208
June 30, 2018Louisville, KYPapa John's Cardinal Stadium52,138
July 7, 2018Columbus, OH62,897
July 10–11, 2018Landover, MDFedExField95,672
July 13–14, 2018, PA107,378
July 17, 2018, OHFirstEnergy Stadium51,323
July 20–22, 2018East Rutherford, NJ165,654
July 26–28, 2018Foxborough, MA174,764
August 3–4, 2018, ON100,309
August 7, 2018, PAHeinz Field56,445
August 10–11, 2018, GA116,745
August 14, 2018Tampa, FL55,909
August 18, 2018Miami Gardens, FL47,818
August 25, 2018Nashville, TNNissan Stadium56,112
August 28, 2018, MI49,464
August 31–September 1, 2018, MN98,773
September 8, 2018Kansas City, MO58,611
September 15, 2018, IN55,729
September 18, 2018, MOEdward Jones Dome47,831
September 22, 2018New Orleans, LAMercedes-Benz Superdome53,172
September 29, 2018, TX53,800
October 5–6, 2018Arlington, TX105,002
All 40 shows sold out, drawing a total attendance of 2,168,706 fans with an average of over 54,000 per night. Multi-night runs in key markets underscored the tour's demand, including two shows each at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, in , and in Arlington, as well as three-night stands at in East Rutherford and in Foxborough. Regional highlights included sentimental homecoming performances, such as the August 25 concert at Nashville's Nissan Stadium, where Swift celebrated her origins by joining and onstage for a rendition of "Tim McGraw." Similarly, the July 13–14 dates at Philadelphia's served as a personal return to her roots, with Swift visiting her childhood home in Reading beforehand. Logistically, Swift relied on private jet travel to cover the extensive North American distances efficiently between dates. Fan-organized meetups in host cities fostered pre-show excitement and community among attendees. Weather occasionally influenced performances, such as the rain-soaked shows at on July 20–22, where Swift continued without major interruptions despite flash flood warnings. The leg's second part concluded in Arlington on October 6, after which the tour proceeded to the leg.

European leg

The European leg of the Reputation Stadium Tour followed the initial North American shows, featuring six sold-out stadium shows across the and in June 2018. These included two performances each at Etihad Stadium in on June 8 and 9, Croke Park in on June 15 and 16, and Wembley Stadium in on June 22 and 23. The leg drew a total attendance of approximately 353,000 fans, showcasing Swift's global appeal amid the album's themes of media scrutiny and personal reinvention. To suit European audiences, the tour incorporated adjustments such as earlier evening start times—Taylor took the stage at 8:15 p.m. at , aligning with local preferences compared to later North American slots around 8:45 p.m. or later—while maintaining the core staging and setlist integrity. International fan travel was encouraged through bundled ticket and accommodation packages offered via official partners like , facilitating attendance from across Europe and beyond. Local promotion was amplified by coverage, including news features on the Manchester opener where acknowledged the city's resilience post-2017 bombing, and interviews highlighting the tour's cultural impact. The Wembley shows stood out as the leg's high-profile finale, with back-to-back sell-outs attracting 143,427 attendees and generating over $12 million in revenue. Special guests enhanced the excitement, including joining Swift for renditions of his 1997 hit "Angels" on both nights, a nod to British pop heritage. performed "Slow Hands" at the London Wembley show on June 22, adding to the collaborative energy. European fans responded enthusiastically to the production's "American" motifs—like snake imagery symbolizing media attacks and references to U.S. —interpreting them through a universal lens of personal empowerment, resulting in loud sing-alongs and visible emotional connections during songs like "Look What You Made Me Do." The leg wrapped with the June 23 Wembley performance, serving as a triumphant close to the European extension before the tour resumed in . Swift later reflected on this phase in the Netflix concert film reputation Stadium Tour, noting how the overseas crowds' passion helped her reclaim her narrative after years of public challenges, affirming the tour's role in fostering deeper fan bonds worldwide.

Oceania leg

The Oceania leg of the Reputation Stadium Tour featured five sold-out stadium shows in and in October and November 2018, supported by and . This leg highlighted Swift's expansion to the region, with performances in major venues drawing enthusiastic crowds. The following table outlines the schedule:
Date(s)CityVenueAttendance
October 19, 2018Perth, Optus Stadium50,891
October 26, 2018, Marvel Stadium63,027
November 2, 2018, ANZ Stadium72,805
November 6, 2018, 43,907
November 9, 2018, 35,749
The shows attracted a total attendance of 266,379, with notable moments including fan fervor in and , where Swift incorporated local references in her surprise songs. The leg concluded in before moving to .

Japanese leg

The Japanese leg consisted of two sold-out shows at in , , on November 20 and 21, 2018, supported by . This marked the tour's finale, with Swift expressing gratitude to fans in her encore speech. The following table outlines the schedule:
Date(s)CityVenueAttendance
November 20–21, 2018Tokyo, JapanTokyo Dome100,109
The performances drew 100,109 attendees, generating significant revenue and closing the tour on a high note with pyrotechnics and full production.

Commercial performance

Ticket sales and attendance

The ticket sales for Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour were managed through a presale system via the Taylor Swift Tix portal, where fans registered and earned "boosts" to improve their access priority by purchasing the reputation album, merchandise, or referring friends. This incentive structure aimed to prioritize dedicated fans, with presale windows running from December 5 to 8, 2017, ahead of the general public onsale on December 13. The general onsale on drew significant fan frustration due to high face-value prices ranging from $50 to over $350, the immediate appearance of resale listings despite the Verified Fan system, and the introduction of "Official Platinum" premium seats not available during presale. While initial sales varied by market—with some shows lingering with available seats—demand ultimately led to all 53 dates selling out, reflecting the tour's strong popularity. prices indicated robust aftermarket interest. The tour attracted a total attendance of 2.9 million across its 53 stadium shows, establishing it as one of the decade's major draws. Notable peaks included over 118,000 attendees across two nights at the Rose Bowl in , and 107,550 at in Santa Clara over two performances, both setting venue records for the artist.

Gross revenue and boxscore

The Reputation Stadium Tour generated a total gross revenue of $345.7 million from 53 shows across , , , and , establishing it as the highest-grossing tour by a female artist in history at the time of its completion. This financial success reflected strong global demand, with an average per-show gross of approximately $6.5 million. In the United States alone, the tour earned $266.1 million from 38 shows and 2,068,399 tickets sold, surpassing the previous record for the highest-grossing U.S. tour held by ' ($245 million from 2005–2007). Key boxscore highlights underscored the tour's economic impact. The opening leg's first seven shows, spanning five cities from May 8 to 25, 2018, grossed $54.1 million with 390,000 attendees, topping Billboard's Hot Tours chart for the week of June 9 and setting venue records at , , and the Rose Bowl. The two-night stand at the Rose Bowl in (August 4–5, 2018), generated $16.3 million from 118,084 sold-out tickets, marking the highest-grossing concert event in the venue's history for a single headliner. Internationally, the final shows in and contributed $30.5 million in the tour's closing quarter, including $14.9 million from two nights at on November 20–21. Billboard's quarterly boxscore reports positioned the Reputation Stadium Tour as the top-ranked act on the Hot Tours chart for much of , with cumulative grosses reported in Q2 ($54.1 million from initial shows), Q3 (ongoing North American leg building toward the U.S. record), and Q4 (final international wrap-up). Overall, it ranked as the second highest-grossing of the year worldwide, trailing only Ed Sheeran's ÷ Tour ($429.4 million). The tour's performance also exceeded Swift's prior benchmark, , by 38% in total earnings ($250.7 million from 2015).

Critical reception

Professional reviews

The Reputation Stadium Tour received widespread acclaim from music critics, who praised its elaborate production and Taylor Swift's commanding stage presence as a triumphant return following her public disputes and hiatus from touring. Reviews highlighted the tour's theatrical elements, including massive snake props, pyrotechnics, and dynamic video screens, which created an immersive gothic spectacle that amplified the album's themes of resilience and reinvention. Swift's vocal delivery was frequently commended for its power and versatility, shifting seamlessly from high-energy anthems like "...Ready for It?" to intimate acoustic renditions that fostered a of closeness in stadium settings. Critics noted the tour's thematic cohesion, with Swift embodying a fierce, unapologetic persona that contrasted her earlier image while incorporating fan-favorite surprises to maintain engagement. Outlets such as described it as Swift's "finest tour yet," emphasizing the innovative staging and her evolution as a live performer who balanced spectacle with personal storytelling. Variety lauded the show's blend of "bad blood" aggression and goodwill, pointing to intricate choreography and emotional highs in songs like "Delicate" as highlights of its artistic depth. However, some reviewers, including , critiqued challenges in sustaining the "ice queen" aesthetic across the full performance, though these were minor compared to the overall praise for its energy. Billboard positioned the tour as the peak of Swift's career, crediting its record-breaking scale and technical prowess for delivering a near-two-hour spectacle that showcased her growth in blending pop grandeur with intimate moments. focused on the fan service through surprise elements and tributes, calling the UK shows a "terrifically good performance" that reaffirmed Swift's with humor and absurdity amid the bombast. echoed this, rating the stadium production a triumph for transforming potentially boilerplate tracks into a preposterous yet exhilarating live experience, bolstered by Swift's solo acoustic interludes. The consensus viewed the tour as a bold comeback, revitalizing Swift's artistry through cohesive visuals and unwavering audience connection.

Fan responses

Fans expressed overwhelming enthusiasm for the Reputation Stadium Tour, particularly on , where the opening night in , sparked a flood of positive reactions on . Swifties hailed the production as the "best night ever," with many highlighting the dramatic entrance in a suspended and the snake-infused visuals as iconic elements that amplified the tour's edgy aesthetic. The tour fueled extensive online discourse through hashtags like #RepTour, as fans shared clips of surprise acoustic performances during the B-stage segment, including renditions of tracks like "" that elicited strong crowd responses and contributed to the viral spread of fan-captured moments. Positive sentiments often emphasized the emotional intimacy of these encores, where Swift connected directly with audiences, and the Verified Fan presale system, designed to make tickets more accessible to dedicated supporters by limiting access to verified buyers. Despite the acclaim, some fans voiced criticisms over logistical hurdles, including extended wait times in the presale queue and inflated prices that deterred purchases early on, leading to reports of slower initial sales across several dates. These issues were attributed to the high face-value and the complexities of the ticketing , though the tour ultimately achieved widespread sellouts and strong attendance. Swifties also engaged deeply with the tour's thematic elements, theorizing that the visuals—such as recurring motifs of darkness and rebirth—mirrored Swift's personal navigation of media scrutiny and relationships, sparking discussions that enhanced the fanbase's interpretive connection to the era.

Records and awards

World records

The Reputation Stadium Tour set several world records in concert touring, particularly in gross revenue and attendance, verified by organizations such as and Boxscore. It became the highest-grossing tour by a female artist in a single year, earning $345,675,146 from 53 shows between May 8 and November 21, 2018. This figure surpassed previous benchmarks for female-led tours, including Madonna's , which grossed $227.4 million globally in 2012. The record stood until Taylor Swift's own exceeded it in 2023. In the United States, the tour established the record for the highest-grossing domestic run by any artist, generating $266.1 million from 38 stadium shows and selling 2,068,399 tickets. This outperformed ' , which earned $245 million across 27 U.S. dates in 2005–2007. The attendance marked the most tickets sold for a U.S. by a solo artist that year, contributing to a total global attendance of 2.89 million across all legs. According to Pollstar's year-end data, it was also the highest-grossing North American tour of 2018. These achievements were tracked through verified boxscore reporting from and , emphasizing the tour's scale in stadium venues without relying on arena or smaller formats.

Tour accolades

The Reputation Stadium Tour garnered significant recognition for its commercial dominance and innovative production, underscoring Taylor Swift's successful reentry into stadium performances amid her post-2017 media challenges. The tour won Tour of the Year at the 2018 , honoring its status as one of the highest-grossing U.S. tours ever at the time. It also secured the of the Year at the 2018 , a fan-voted prize celebrating its massive attendance and cultural impact. In 2019, Swift accepted the iHeartRadio Music Award for Tour of the Year, crediting fans for selling over 2 million tickets during the North American leg alone. The production further earned Best Pop Tour at the Awards, acknowledging its elaborate staging and high-energy performances. At the Touring Awards, the tour received the Top U.S. Tour honor while being nominated for overall Top Tour. It ranked second on 's year-end Top 100 Tours chart for 2018, generating $345.7 million worldwide from 53 shows. Additionally, it was nominated for Major Tour of the Year at the 2019 Awards.
AwardOrganizationYearResult
Tour of the Year2018Won
Concert Tour of the Year2018Won
Tour of the Year2019Won
Best Pop Tour Awards2019Won
Top U.S. Tour Touring Awards2018Won
Top Tour Touring Awards2018Nominated
Major Tour of the Year Awards2019Nominated

Concert film

Production and release

The concert film Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour was captured during the final United States performance of the tour on October 6, 2018, at in . Directed by Paul Dugdale and with cinematography by Brett Turnbull, the production utilized multiple camera angles to document the full live show, including the surprise songs "" and "" performed that night. The film was produced by in collaboration with Den of Thieves and SR Films, with editing handled by a team including Simon Bryant, Bill DeRonde, Jose Fortanel, and Adrianna Merlucci. Clocking in at 125 minutes, it presents a comprehensive visual record of the tour's elaborate staging, choreography, and musical arrangements. was completed in approximately three months following the filming date. Swift announced the project on December 13, 2018, via , highlighting it as a way to share the tour's highlights with fans worldwide. The film premiered exclusively on at 12:01 a.m. PT on December 31, 2018, aligning with to mark the end of the tour era. This streaming debut made it accessible globally without a traditional theatrical or physical media release.

Availability and distribution

The concert film Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour premiered exclusively on on December 31, 2018, marking a global release available in over 190 countries where the streaming service operated at the time. As a Netflix original, it provided audiences worldwide with access to the full performance captured during Swift's show at in , on October 6, 2018. The film remained on for five years before its removal on December 31, 2023, following the expiration of its licensing agreement with the platform. No official re-release or migration to another major streaming service has been announced as of November 2025, leaving the full film unavailable on any primary digital platform. In the absence of streaming or official physical media—such as a confirmed DVD or Blu-ray edition—viewers can access select performance clips through official channels on YouTube and VEVO, including live renditions of songs like "Getaway Car" from the tour. These excerpts preserve key moments from the production but do not constitute the complete concert experience.

Reception and legacy

The concert film Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour received universal praise from critics upon its Netflix release on December 31, 2018, earning a 100% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes based on three reviews. Reviewers highlighted the film's dynamic cinematography and high-energy production, which captured the tour's elaborate staging including pyrotechnics, massive video screens, and a 63-foot inflatable cobra. Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone described it as a "tribute to her epic ambition," emphasizing the "dazzling battalion of dancers" and explosive visuals that conveyed Swift's commanding stage presence. Similarly, Common Sense Media awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, praising how Swift transformed a massive stadium into an intimate "love fest" through her engaging performance and interaction with the audience. The film's release amplified the tour's reach, garnering significant viewership on and providing global access to an event that had already grossed $345.7 million from 2.89 million attendees. By documenting the production in detail, it retroactively boosted the era's cultural visibility, allowing fans who missed the live shows to experience its theatrical scale and reinforcing Swift's status as a premier live performer. Upon its removal from in 2023, fans voiced widespread disappointment and calls for its return to streaming platforms, underscoring its enduring appeal. In terms of legacy, the film solidified the Reputation era as a pivotal chapter in Swift's career, marking her transition to all-stadium touring and setting production benchmarks with its blend of narrative visuals and high-octane spectacle—influencing elements like serpentine motifs in subsequent works such as . Following the May 2025 announcement of Reputation (Taylor's Version), scheduled for release in late 2025, the film continues to serve as a key reference for the tour's artistic impact, preserving performances from an era tied to her last set of masters controlled by . Although Netflix submitted it for Emmy consideration in 2019, the film received no major awards, though it earned nominations for production design at the 24th Art Directors Guild Awards.

Personnel

Band members

The Reputation Stadium Tour featured Taylor Swift's longstanding live band, The Agency, augmented by backup vocalists known as the Starlights, who provided both musical and harmonic support to adapt the album's trap-pop and electronic soundscape for stadium performances through live instrumentation and layered vocals. Many members were veteran collaborators, contributing to the tour's high-energy renditions of tracks like "...Ready for It?" and "Look What You Made Me Do" by emphasizing bass-heavy beats and synthesized elements in real time. Key instrumentalists included:
  • Amos Heller (bass, vocals): A core member since 2007, Heller anchored the rhythm section with his versatile bass lines, drawing from his Nashville session work to support the tour's pulsating trap rhythms; he also contributed backing vocals during ensemble sections.
  • Paul Sidoti (, vocals): Joining in 2007 as one of the band's earliest members, Sidoti served as band leader and delivered dynamic guitar solos that amplified the album's edgy production, while providing harmonies on songs like "Delicate."
  • Michael Meadows (guitar, keyboards, vocals): A who joined for the 2009 , Meadows handled acoustic and electric guitar duties alongside keyboard textures, enhancing the live transitions between electronic and organic elements.
  • David Cook (musical director, keyboards): Appointed musical director for the tour after joining in 2011, Cook oversaw arrangements and played keyboards to replicate the album's synth-heavy layers, ensuring seamless integration of live and pre-recorded sounds.
  • Matt Billingslea (drums): Joining for the 2013 , Billingslea drove the percussion with precise beats tailored to the trap influences, maintaining energy across the 150-minute sets.
  • Max Bernstein (guitar, keyboards): Debuting with the band for this tour in 2018, Bernstein added contemporary guitar riffs and keyboard support, helping to modernize the electronic tracks for live delivery.
The backup vocalists, integral to the band's vocal depth, included:
  • Kamilah Marshall (backup vocals): A performer since the 2013 Red Tour, Marshall provided rich harmonies and occasional dance integration, bolstering the tour's anthemic choruses with her R&B-influenced style.
  • Melanie Nyema (backup vocals): Joining in 2013, Nyema contributed soulful backing vocals that complemented Swift's leads on trap-pop numbers, drawing from her Broadway and session experience.
  • Eliotte Nicole Woodford (backup vocals): Also a 2013 addition, Woodford's vocals added emotional layers to ballads and upbeat tracks, supporting the ensemble's cohesive sound.
  • Jeslyn Gorman (backup vocals): New to the group for the 2018 tour, Gorman brought fresh harmonies and visual energy, enhancing the performance of high-production songs.
The ensemble rehearsed extensively in the months leading up to the tour's May 2018 start, focusing on synchronizing live elements with the album's studio production to create an immersive experience.

Dancers and crew

The Reputation Stadium Tour featured a 16-member troupe of backup dancers, choreographed by , who had previously collaborated with on her and tours. The dancers included Maho Udo, Grant Gilmore, Stephanie Mincone, Nadine Olmo, Kim "Toshi" Davidson, Jake Roark Kodish, , Jake Landgrebe, , Mark Villaver, Christian Owens, Jazz Smith, Gracie Stewart, Maria Wada, Yorelis Apolinario, and Christian Henderson, many of whom brought experience from performances with artists such as , , and . Diorio's emphasized high-energy, synchronized movements that aligned with the tour's themes of resilience and reinvention, incorporating custom routines tied to snake motifs symbolizing Swift's reclamation of public narrative. Key performances highlighted the troupe's precision and versatility, such as the opening rendition of "Look What You Made Me Do," which featured military-style formations with tightly controlled thrashing, dramatic body rolls, and interaction with a massive inflatable snake prop. In the "Bad Blood"/"Should’ve Said No" mashup, dancers executed intricate floorwork and aerial stunts on the stage's scaffolding, while broader stadium-scale routines in songs like "This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things" balanced detailed synchronization with large-formation impacts for audiences exceeding 80,000. Swift personally introduced each dancer by name during "Gorgeous," underscoring their integral role in the production's visual storytelling. The tour's technical crew supported these dynamic elements, with Baz Halpin serving as lighting designer and creative producer, overseeing over 10,000 square feet of video screens and innovative effects to enhance the choreography's dramatic flair. Sound engineering was led by front-of-house engineer David Payne, utilizing Eighth Day Sound's systems for clear audio delivery across massive venues, including monitor engineering for the artist and guests by Jordan Kolenc. Stage management and overall production involved a comprehensive team handling , aerial rigging, and , ensuring safe execution of high-risk sequences like explosive openings and elevated performances. Notably, the dancers received post-tour recognition in the concert film's production credits, where they were listed alongside the core , highlighting their contributions to both live shows and the documentary capturing the , performances. This acknowledgment reflected the tour's emphasis on collaborative artistry, with the troupe's diverse backgrounds adding depth to the empowerment narratives woven through Swift's setlist.

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