25 Feb 2024

‘Swiftonomics’ - the unparalleled influence of Taylor Swift

From Culture 101, 2:00 pm on 25 February 2024
Alice Fulwood

Alice Fulwood Photo: Supplied

Whether you’re a Swiftie or you’re rolling your eyes, you can’t deny the influence of Taylor Swift. She is inescapable and it feels as though she’s been on a mission of world domination this past year. 

She's performing seven concerts in Melbourne and Sydney as part of her Eras Tour. It’s estimated 600,000 people attended the shows. Globally, it’s already become the highest-grossing tour ever, surpassing $1 billion USD and she’s yet to travel to Asia and Europe. 

Alongside her Eras Tour, she released her Eras Tour movie, continues to re-record and re-release past albums and her relationship with Super Bowl winner, Travis Kelce, has given the NFL even more attention and provided a new demographic of viewership. 

Swift has influenced businesses, economies, politics, universities, social media and news cycles.

Wall Street Correspondent for The Economist, Alice Fulwood, spoke to Culture 101’s Perlina Lau, analysing Swift’s influence and economic impact. 

Taylor Swift performs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 16, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)

Taylor Swift performs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 16, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management) Photo: Graham Denholm/TAS24