Taylor Swift is one of the biggest stars across all genres of music, playing shows in stadium venues all over the world. But 15 years ago, she was a rising young artist undertaking her very first headlining tour.
Swift opened for Rascal Flatts and other huge country acts when she toured in support of her self-titled debut album in 2006. By the time she released her sophomore album, Fearless, in November of 2008, the teenage star had already rocketed to headliner status on the strength of hits including “Tim McGraw,” “Teardrops on My Guitar,” “Our Song,” “Picture to Burn” and “Should’ve Said No.”
Swift launched her headlining Fearless Tour on April 23, 2009, with a sold-out concert at the Roberts Municipal Stadium in Evansville, Ind. The tour made its way through the U.S., Canada and England before wrapping the 2009 leg in November. Swift resumed the tour in Australia in February of 2010, then returned to North America to conclude the Fearless Tour with another run of dates that lasted from March until May of 2010.
“Headlining my own tour is a dream come true!” Swift said in a press release to announce the Fearless Tour. “This way I can play more music every night than I ever have before. Having written my own songs, they are all stories in my head, and my goal for this tour is to bring those stories to life. My favorite thing when I go to a concert is having lots of changing things to look at, so I’ve been working really hard to make this show as multi-dimensional as possible.”
The tour included multiple costume changes, as well as the kind of theatrical stage sets that would go on to become one of Swift’s trademarks. Her opening acts included Gloriana and Kellie Pickler, who ended up collaborating with Swift live during the shows, performing “I’m Only Me When I’m With You.”
According to Billboard, the Fearless Tour grossed $63,705,590 and played to a total of 1,138,977 fans … not bad for a first-time headliner! Fearless scored Swift another armload of hits, including “Love Story,” “White Horse,” “You Belong With Me,” “Fifteen” and “Fearless.”
Taylor Swift’s 11 Best Country Collaborations, Ranked
It’s no surprise that Taylor Swift’s voice works so well in a country setting — it is her home genre, after all! From the Chicks to Chris Stapleton to Tim McGraw, Swift’s country collaborations keep the genre close to her heart, no matter where else music takes her.
Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak
PICTURES: See Inside Taylor Swift’s Stunning Manhattan Apartment
Taylor Swift’s spectacular luxury apartment in Manhattan is currently for rent, and pictures show a property that is a lavish mix of historic and very modern.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
PICTURES: See Opening Night of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
PICTURES: See Inside Taylor Swift’s Luxurious Childhood Home
Taylor Swift’s luxurious childhood home is for sale for just under a million dollars, and pictures show a well-appointed residence that’s a fitting home for a future superstar. The 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom, 3,560-square-foot Georgian Colonial in suburban Reading, Pa., has been completely renovated, and it features a sweeping staircase, a formal dining room, a study with a fireplace and a formal living room with a fireplace and French doors that open onto a side porch.
There’s also a gourmet kitchen, a large master bedroom with an attached master bathroom, a bonus room, a separate laundry room and a detached garage.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker