Taylor Swift releases extended The Eras Tour film celebrating 34th birthday
Photo: Taylor Swift celebrates 34th birthday releases extended The Eras Tour film (GettyImages)
Taylor Swift has released an extended version of her concert film "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" on her 34th birthday, featuring additional performances and allowing fans to experience the tour from home. The film is available to rent via video-on-demand services, according to Daily Mail.
Swift's birthday post on Instagram, featuring a clip from the "Long Live" performance, invited fans to watch the extended film, showcasing her millennial pride with her emoji usage. The film achieved significant success, grossing over $250 million globally and being the highest-grossing concert film ever. The film has also received a Golden Globe nomination for Cinematic and Box-Office Achievement, competing against other notable films.
The rental is priced at £15.99 in the UK and $19.89 in the US and Canada, available only for 48 hours. In her post, she playfully addressed criticisms about her emoji use, stating her millennial pride and excusing it as part of her birthday celebration. The extended version includes performances of "The Archer," "Wildest Dreams," and "Long Live," which were not part of its initial theatrical release.
The concert film, directed by Sam Wrench, was initially released with a runtime of over 2 hours and 45 minutes, shorter than the live show's 3 hours and 15 minutes. Despite the extension, songs like "Cardigan," "No Body, No Crime" with Haim, and others remain omitted from the on-demand version.
Historic achievement
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour made history as the first to surpass the billion-dollar mark, according to Pollstar's 2023 year-end charts. The tour, which was the top-grossing both worldwide and in North America, generated $1.04 billion from 4.35 million tickets sold across 60 dates.
Pollstar anticipates Swift's tour earnings to exceed $2 billion, maintaining its momentum into 2024. This achievement coincides with Swift being named Time Magazine's Person of the Year and the most-streamed artist globally on Spotify for 2023.
Swift's celebration
The film was shot during Swift's August performances at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium and showcased her career-spanning tour. The release of the extended film was announced in late November as a celebration of Swift's birthday and a way to share the tour experience with a broader audience.
Despite being unable to celebrate with her boyfriend, NFL player Travis Kelce, Swift had an early celebration with friends at a holiday party in Kansas City due to his mandatory practice. The couple has supported each other's careers, with Swift supporting Kelce's NFL achievements and Kelce attending Swift's tour in Argentina.
The backlash stems from the high cost of renting the film, exacerbated by its short availability. Fans have criticized the pricing, arguing it forces tough financial choices during a cost-of-living crisis. This discontent follows the high costs of Swift's concert tickets and merchandise, previously a point of contention.
The decision to release the film's extended version on her birthday was part of Swift's wish to celebrate the year with her fans, reflecting her engagement with her audience and her ongoing influence in the entertainment industry.
