The Speak Now World Tour was the second concert tour by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who embarked on it to support her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). It ran from February 9, 2011, to March 18, 2012, and covered 110 shows across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania.
The set list consisted mostly of songs from Speak Now, with a few numbers from Swift's first two albums, Taylor Swift (2006) and Fearless (2008). Two songs were performed as medleys with music of other artists: "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train, "Apologize" by OneRepublic, and "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. On several US shows, Swift invited special guests to perform duets onstage with her. Multiple US shows were recorded for a concert film and live album, both titled Speak Now World Tour – Live, released on November 21, 2011.
Music critics generally praised the production and Swift's showmanship and interactions with her audience. According to Pollstar, the Speak Now World Tour was the fourth-highest-grossing tour and the highest-grossing by a female artist of 2011. Billboard ranked it fifth on their list of the top tours of 2011.
Background and developmentedit
I’m so excited to go back out on tour again in 2011! The 'Fearless Tour' was so much fun and even more unforgettable than I ever imagined, and I can't wait to get back out and play my new music from Speak Now! The fans have been so amazing and I'm thrilled to play in new cities around the world and meet even more of my fans in 2011![2]
While promoting Speak Now, Swift mentioned her excitement for her upcoming tour. She stated that the tour was going to be "big" and "extensive".[3] On November 23, 2010, various media outlets, including Billboard magazine, announced the second tour by Swift.[4] It followed her successful Fearless Tour, which played over 100 dates in five countries. The Speak Now World Tour marked Swift's first in multiple stadiums. Before it commenced, she performed "The Allure of Taylor Swift" show aboard the MV Allure of the Seas at the Allure of the Seas Aquatheater, as a part of Royal Caribbean Cruises on January 21, 2011 in Cozumel, Mexico.[5] Swift used Tom Petty's "American Girl" as her entrance song.[6]
It ranked tenth on Pollstar's "Top 50 Worldwide Tour (Mid-Year)" list, earning over $40 million.[7] At the end of 2011, the tour placed fourth on the magazine's annual "Top 25 Worldwide Tours" list, earning $104.2 million from 100 shows,[8] making it the highest-grossing female and solo tour of 2011.
Arm lyricsedit
During the North American[9] and Australasian tour legs, Swift wrote different song lyrics, and occasionally quotes from famous speeches and movies, on her left arm for each show. She stated that the lyrics should be viewed as a nightly "mood ring",[10] and The New Yorker has cited the practice as an example of Swift's "keen understanding of what fuels fan obsession in the first place: a desire for intimacy between singer and listener".[11]
Acoustic cover versionsedit
Swift performed many acoustic cover versions during the North American leg. In each city, she paid tribute to a homegrown artist.[12] She stated that the cover versions allowed her to be "spontaneous" in an otherwise well-rehearsed show: "You'll have a lot of people who will come to more than one show, and I want them to get a different experience every time."[13]
Set listedit
The following set list is from the May 27, 2011 show in Omaha, Nebraska. It is not intended to represent all shows throughout the tour.[14]
During the Asian and European legs, "Mean", "Our Song", and "Haunted" were not performed due to stage reduction. Additionally, "Fifteen" was performed in place of "Last Kiss".[citation needed]
During the show in Kansas City, Swift performed "Superman".[15]
Starting with the show in Denver, "Ours" was added to the set-list.[16]
During the shows in Lexington,[17] Houston,[18] and Raleigh,[19] Swift performed "Never Grow Up".
During the shows in Oceania, "Safe & Sound" was performed during the encore, except the second performance in Auckland, where "Eyes Open" was performed instead.[20]
Surprise coversedit
The following songs were performed each night after "Last Kiss":
^ abThe shows on October 1 and 2, 2011, in Atlanta at the Philips Arena were originally scheduled for July 9 and 10, 2011; however, due to illness, the shows were postponed.
^The show on October 11, 2011, in Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center was originally scheduled for July 2, 2011; however, due to illness, the show was postponed.
^The show on November 16, 2011, in Charlotte at the Time Warner Cable Arena was originally scheduled for July 8, 2011; however, due to illness, the show was postponed.
Referencesedit
^1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda(PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States(PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
^"Taylor Swift's World Tour". Pollstar. Associated Content. November 23, 2010. Archived from the original on August 6, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
^Vena, Jocelyn (November 23, 2010). "Taylor Swift Announces Speak Now World Tour Dates". MTV News. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
^Mapes, Jillian (November 23, 2010). "Taylor Swift Announces 'Speak Now' World Tour". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
^Golden, Fran (October 22, 2010). "Taylor Swift to Perform on World's Largest Cruise Ship". AOL Travel News. AOL, Inc. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
^"Taylor Swift's 'Red' Tour: Her Amps Go Up to 22 | Rob Sheffield". Rolling Stone. March 20, 2013. Archived from the original on March 31, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
^"Top 50 Worldwide Tours (01/01/2011 – 06/30/2011)" (PDF). Pollstar. Pollstar, Inc. July 8, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
^"Taylor Swift's Arm Lyrics From the 2011 Speak Now Tour – Full List". Taste of Country. July 26, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
^Becca (August 11, 2011). "Taylor Swift's Arm Art is a Mood Ring – The Country Vibe News". Thecountryvibe.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
^Widdicombe, Lizzie (October 10, 2011). "You Belong With Me". The New Yorker. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
^ abcdefPerpetua, Matthew. "Videos: Taylor Swift's Coast-to-Coast Cover Songs". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 17, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
^Roland, Tom (December 2, 2011). "Taylor Swift: Billboard's Woman of the Year". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
^Coffey, Kevin (May 28, 2011). "Taylor Swift shimmers in Omaha". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
^"Taylor Swift Performs Rare 'Speak Now' Track 'Superman' in Concert". Taste of Country. September 25, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^"Taylor Swift Performs 'Ours' for the First Time, Covers 'How to Save a Life'". Taste of Country. September 28, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
^Tunis, Walter (October 31, 2011). "Pop princess rules Rupp and willing subjects". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
^Vonder Haar, Pete (November 7, 2011). "Saturday Night: Taylor Swift At Minute Maid Park". Houston Press. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
^Bernhardt, Jack (November 19, 2011). "'Sparks Fly' at Swift's RBC show". The News & Observer. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
^"Video: Taylor Swift Sings 'Eyes Open' from 'Hunger Games'". MTV News. March 19, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
^Collins, Leah (July 18, 2011). "Taylor Swift Covers Justin Bieber In Concert (Alanis Morissette and Tal Bachman, Too)". Dose. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Taylor Swift - Canadian Medley at the ACC in Toronto (July 16th, 2011) on YouTube
^Johnson, Maura (July 20, 2011). "Live: Taylor Swift Sparkles And Survives At The Prudential Center". The Village Voice. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
^"Flashback: Taylor Swift Mashes Up Bruce and Bon Jovi at 2011 Jersey Gig". Rolling Stone. November 5, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Bonaguro, Alison (July 25, 2011). "Offstage: Taylor Swift Plays Dixie Chicks for a Dixie Chick". CMT. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
^Maerz, Melissa (August 3, 2011). "Taylor Swift covers Eminem's 'Lose Yourself, says 'Yo!' very well: Watch it here". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
^Karabatkovic, Ivor (August 9, 2011). "Taylor Swift Wows A Sold Out Quicken Loans Arena Crowd". Lakewood Observer. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Taylor Swift singing "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" and "Ghetto Superstar" in Washington D.C. on YouTube
^"Review: Taylor Swift at the Verizon Center August 4". The Baltimore Sun. August 4, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Deluca, Dan (August 7, 2011). "Taylor Swift at the Linc". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
^Sciarretto, Amy (August 10, 2011). "Taylor Swift Covers Fall Out Boy Song in Chicago". Taste of Country. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^"Watch: Taylor Swift Covers Nelly's 'Just A Dream'". MTV. August 18, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Sperounes, Sandra (August 19, 2011). "Sweet, smart and talented". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
^Cary, Stephanie (August 24, 2011). "Concert review: Taylor Swift bares soul, whips hair, duets with Justin Bieber at Staples Center". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Newman, Melinda (August 24, 2011). "Concert Review: Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber rock Staples Center". Uproxx. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
^Lerman, Ali (August 29, 2011). "Taylor Swift at the Staples Center Saturday Night". OC Weekly. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
^"TAYLOR SWIFT COVERS COLBIE CAILLAT". Mix 93.1. August 31, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
^Harrington, Jim (September 1, 2011). "Review: Taylor Swift brings fairy tale to San Jose". The Mercury News. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^Coppola, Michele (September 7, 2011). "Concert review: Taylor Swift performed a visually stunning two-hour show". The Oregonian. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
^Taylor Swift covering Dave Matthews Band Tacoma Dome 9/7/11 "You and Me" on YouTube
^Rubenstein, Jenna Hally (September 13, 2011). "WATCH: Taylor Swift Covers Bryan Adams' 'Summer Of '69'". MTV. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Dukes, Billy (September 12, 2011). "Taylor Swift Covers Alan Jackson's Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning) AT 9/11 Show". Taste of Country. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Mead, David (November 1, 2011). "Cover Girl: Taylor Swift And The Unbearable Likeness Of Singing". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
^Rubenstein, Jenna Hally (September 22, 2011). "Taylor Swift Covers Britney Spears' 'Lucky'". MTV. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^"Taylor Swift Covers 'Swing Swing' by the All-American Rejects". PopCrush. September 22, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^"Taylor Swift Learns 'How to Save a Life' at Denver Concert". The Boot. September 28, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Maher, Cristin (October 2, 2011). "Taylor Swift Performs Sugarland's 'Baby Girl' + Sings With Usher On Stage". Taste of Country. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^"Taylor Swift Covers Brooks & Dunn Classic". The Boot. October 10, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Svokos, Heather (October 9, 2011). "Taylor Swift at Cowboys Stadium: the scene report". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011.
^Lee, Josephine (October 18, 2011). "Taylor Swift shines in 'Speak Now' tour". The Louisville Cardinal. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^Kerns, William (October 14, 2011). "Swift delivers one-of-a-kind, entertaining concert". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^"Taylor Swift Covers the Dixie Chicks and Rascal Flatts Live in Concert". Taste of Country. October 16, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^Garin, Nina (October 21, 2011). "A wonderfully nice time with Taylor Swift". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
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^Saldana, Hector (October 25, 2011). "Review: Taylor Swift". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on October 30, 2011.
^"Taylor Swift Pays Tribute to Jack Ingram, Brings Shawn Colvin to the Stage in Texas". Taste of Country. October 27, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
^"Taylor Swift Covers Justin Timberlake's 'Cry Me a River'". The Boot. November 1, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Attendance and gross data are adapted from Billboard Boxscore:
"Billboard Boxscore: Issue Date 11/12/2011". Billboard. November 12, 2011. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
"Billboard Boxscore: Current Scores". Billboard. June 25, 2011. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
"Billboard Boxscore: Current Scores". Billboard. June 18, 2011. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
"Billboard Boxscore: Current Scores". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 2, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2016. Boxscore for Manchester
"Billboard Boxscore: Current Scores". Billboard. July 2, 2011. Archived from the original on June 23, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
"Billboard Boxscore — Current Scores". Billboard. July 16, 2011. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
"Billboard Boxscore — Current Scores". Billboard. August 20, 2011. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
"Billboard Boxscore — Current Scores". Billboard. August 27, 2011. Archived from the original on August 18, 2011. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
"Billboard Boxscore — Current Scores". Billboard. September 17, 2011. Archived from the original on September 8, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
"Billboard Boxscore — Current Scores". Billboard. October 8, 2011. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
"Billboard Boxscore — Current Scores". Billboard. November 5, 2011. Archived from the original on October 27, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
"Billboard Boxscore — Current Scores". Billboard. November 19, 2011. Archived from the original on November 10, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
"Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. Vol. 123, no. 45. New York. December 10, 2011. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
"Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. Vol. 124, no. 11. New York. April 7, 2012. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
^"Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour - Olympic Stadium". Olympiapark München. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
External linksedit
Media related to Speak Now World Tour at Wikimedia Commons