Taylor Swift brings back midnight sales with ‘Life of a Showgirl’

WEB DESK: Pop superstar Taylor Swift has announced her next studio album, Life of a Showgirl, set for release on October 3, and she’s rolling it out with a throwback twist. In a move that blends nostalgia with savvy marketing, Swift is reviving the once-iconic tradition of midnight record store sales.

A blast from the past

Before the streaming era, fans would camp outside music shops to grab an album the moment it dropped. That ritual has largely vanished, replaced by digital launches and playlist culture. Swift, 35, wants to bring the magic back.

According to Target, more than 500 of its stores across the US will stay open until midnight on October 3, offering both exclusive editions and standard copies of Life of a Showgirl. Instead of shutting and reopening, participating outlets will simply extend their hours until the clock strikes release time.

Swift hopes the experience will rekindle the communal excitement of lining up with strangers, swapping stories, and tearing into fresh CDs as the world heard new music together for the first time. “It’s about creating memories, not just streams,” a source close to the singer said.

Nostalgia meets strategy

The decision also underscores Swift’s knack for pairing emotional connection with commercial muscle. By offering fans a physical, shared experience, she’s positioning the album as more than just another digital release. It’s a cultural event, one designed to resonate with veteran Swifties who remember the old days and younger fans curious to live them.

Fans can check Target’s website for a full list of participating stores. Industry watchers expect brisk sales given Swift’s devoted following and her reputation for turning launches into moments of pop culture history.

Kelce plays supporting role

While Swift gears up for her album drop, her partner, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, is enjoying his own moment in the spotlight. Featured on the cover of GQ’s September issue, Kelce opened up about life with the world’s biggest pop star.

“I can be the plus one. I’m a fan of music, of art, and I love being there with her,” Kelce said, adding that Swift often returns the favor by cheering him on at Arrowhead. He praised her stamina on stage: “She’ll never call herself an athlete, but the physical effort she puts in every night is incredible.”

With Life of a Showgirl and the NFL season kicking off simultaneously, Swift and Kelce are poised to dominate both the charts and the gridiron — a power couple straddling two arenas of American culture.