On Friday, Swifties inundated the AMC Theatres app in a frantic rush to secure tickets for the highly anticipated event, “Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl.” This exclusive 89-minute celebration marks the launch of the pop superstar’s new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” As fans logged onto the AMC app at 12:12 p.m. ET for ticket purchases, they were met with a screen displaying a seemingly endless 2-minute estimated wait time, accompanied by a message indicating the high volume of traffic. The message read: “Thank you for your patience as we experience high traffic volume. We have proactively created this queue for all visitors. When it is your turn, you will have 10 minutes to begin your ‘Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party of a Showgirl’ ticket purchase or other online visit.”
In response to the overwhelming demand, an AMC spokesperson stated, “The power of the Swifties remains unmatched! But rest assured, our website and mobile app are both stable, and we’re continuing to sell tickets online in big numbers.” Earlier that day, Variety had reported exclusively that Taylor Swift would be making her much-anticipated return to the big screen from October 3-5, coinciding with the release of “The Life of a Showgirl.” This special “release party” is designed as a large-scale version of her famous “secret sessions” album events, featuring the premiere of the first music video from her 12th studio album for the song “The Fate of Ophelia.”
All 540 AMC Theatres locations across the country will participate in this exciting event, furthering Swift’s ongoing partnership with AMC Theatres Distribution to manage her theatrical releases. In addition to AMC theatres, the event will also be available in thousands of non-AMC theaters throughout North America, including popular chains like Cinemark and Regal. Screenings are set to begin simultaneously across different time zones at 3 p.m. ET / noon PT on October 3.
In a unique twist, AMC has invited guests to freely sing and dance during “Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party of a Showgirl,” despite such activities typically being prohibited during traditional showings. An official press release from AMC notes, “To help ensure everyone’s enjoyment of the show, guests may not stand on seats or block any aisles or stairs.” This inclusive atmosphere promises to enhance the celebratory experience for all attendees.
As for the international rollout, numerous territories will join the U.S. in celebrating the “release party” from October 3-5. These countries include Canada, Mexico, the U.K., France, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Tickets for showtimes in these international markets will go on sale this upcoming Tuesday. Other nations not mentioned in this initial rollout will have the opportunity to view the film on a later weekend in October, with announcements expected around October 3.
