One devoted Taylor Swift superfan has taken fandom to new heights, spending nearly $9,000 to attend 10 of the pop icon’s Eras Tour concerts across the U.S. so far.
Anthony Ye, 26, of Astoria, New York told Fox News he has seen Swift live 43 times over the past decade. His love for the singer started about 9 years ago and has only grown since.
“I go to as many shows as I can make it out to,” Ye said. “I’ve seen her dozens of times.”
For the Eras Tour, which spans Swift’s entire career, Ye has already been to 10 shows. That includes the opening concerts in Phoenix, Philadelphia, Boston and New York City, plus two shows in Los Angeles on August 8th and 9th.
Ye estimates he has spent around $8,800 in total for tickets, travel and expenses related to the concerts.
“I’m definitely spending a bit more than I should,” he admitted. “It’s been five years since she’s toured, so it’s OK… My bills are paid.”
With so much new music from Swift’s re-recorded albums, Ye said seeing the Eras Tour felt like a big deal. He noted attending concerts has been easier to afford now than during past tours when he “really couldn’t afford it.”
“But I was running up credit cards anyway,” Ye said. “Those are paid off now, fortunately.”
Even when Ye can’t attend a show in person, he tunes into the concerts via livestream. As a longtime fan, he knows all the lyrics and songs by heart.
Ye says Swift’s music and dedication to fans has made her a constant part of his life the past few months. He wants Swift to know her fans will support her forever.
During Swift’s Reputation Tour in 2018, Ye was able to meet her parents who were in the crowd. He showed them his two Taylor Swift-inspired tattoos – one of Swift in a unicorn onesie and one of her riding a unicorn cat.
While Ye dreams of one day meeting Swift herself, he said getting to interact with her parents was special. “They are the best parents that anyone could ask for,” he remarked.
It’s not just the performances that inspire Ye’s fandom, but also Swift’s songwriting and passion for her art. After following her career for nearly a decade, he remains devoted to supporting her success.
Other die-hard Swifties have also gone to extremes for the Eras Tour. Many have spent thousands just to secure tickets, with the high demand crashing sites during presales.
Stories of fans waiting over 12 hours in line, learning songs in sign language, and getting Swift-themed tattoos have highlighted the tour’s incredible appeal.
After wrapping her 20 show run in the U.S., Swift will take the Eras Tour to international stadiums. She’ll return stateside in 2024, announcing new dates in Miami, New Orleans, Indianapolis and Toronto.
While $9,000 is no small sum, Ye and other devoted Swift fans view her once-in-a-lifetime shows as priceless. The opportunity to watch her perform hit after hit in epic productions is a memory that will last forever.
