Either which way, the V&A is here to make it all better thanks to its newly announced Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail, a free, temporary exhibition (July 27 until September 9) celebrating the global megastar through her costumes, lyrics, music videos, instruments, awards, and storyboards. Even if you aren’t a Swiftie, her towering status as a cultural phenomenon at a time when younger musical superstars are thin on the ground, is undeniable. One thing is for sure, anything that Taylor Swift touches turns to gold, and this promises to be a mega show that no self-respecting music lover should miss before it packs up on September 9 and says So Long, London.
Says Kate Bailey, the V&A’s senior curator of theatre and performance, ‘We are delighted to be able to display a range of iconic looks worn by Taylor Swift at the V&A this summer. Taylor Swift’s songs like objects tell stories, often drawing from art, history and literature. We hope this theatrical trail across the museum will inspire curious visitors to discover more about the performer, her creativity and V&A objects.’
There will be thirteen stops on the trail, each of which will delve deeper into those much-vaunted eras in her work, beginning with her breakout success as a country singer back in 2007. From there, it traces her career and its attendant memorabilia right through to the Tortured Poets Department, her latest and hugely acclaimed album.
Among the star-studded items on display, fans will be thrilled to see the customised cowboy boots Taylor wore during her breakout success as a country singer in 2007. Additionally, the jet-black ruffled shoulder dress from her most recent music video for Fortnight, from her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department, will be featured, offering a glimpse into her evolving style and artistic vision.
Visitors will also get a rare peek into Taylor’s songwriting process with original handwritten lyrics and storyboards. These intimate artefacts reveal the meticulous crafting behind some of her biggest hits and fan-favourite deep cuts, shedding light on her journey from inspiration to chart-topping success.
The trail includes screens playing Taylor’s iconic music videos, offering a visual feast that showcases her creative evolution. Instruments used in the recording of her albums will also be displayed, connecting fans with the tangible tools behind her music. Plus, for the first time, items from Swift’s childhood and early recording days will be on display. These artefacts provide a nostalgic look at her beginnings and the roots of her talent and determination, tracing her path from a young dreamer to a global superstar.
Visitors can also expect interactive and immersive exhibits that will bring Taylor’s lyrics to life, offering visitors an engaging experience. Visualisations and animations will accompany her songs, creating a multisensory journey through her discography.
If the smash-hit blockbuster show David Bowie Is, which began life at the V&A, is anything to go by, this is going to be huge.
Images: Taylor Swift on The 1989 World Tour, 2015; Image still from willow music video, 2020; Image still from music video Fortnight (feat. Post Malone) by Taylor Swift, 2024; Taylor Swift from the Soul2Soul Tour performance, 2007. All courtesy of TAS Rights Management, LLC
