This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.
It’s been a long time coming, but … “Swifty Fest” is officially coming back to Bloomington.
Last September, the Taylor Swift tribute concert and celebration of all things “swiftie” sold out the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Fans donned bejeweled sequin dresses, made friendship bracelets and sung their hearts out to hits from Swift’s 11-album catalog.
After that, Swifty Fest — much like the powerhouse artist herself — went on tour, bringing local tribute bands and iconic Swift anthems to crowds across the Midwest.
Now, longtime radio host and country music enthusiast Sam Alex is bringing it back to the place where it all began, with Swifty Fest returning to the Buskirk-Chumley on Aug. 17.
“I think of a tribute not just to Taylor’s music, but who she is,” Alex said. “I call it ‘the Taylor effect.’ She just brings people together.”
Who is performing Taylor Swift’s music at Swifty Fest?
Indianapolis-based Taylor Swift tribute act “The Bejewled Band” will perform Swift’s songs at the Buskirk-Chumley for a second year.
Aimee Eisenmann and Maddie Lindley of the Bejewled Band perform their Swift tribute music at events and parties across the state and beyond. But at Swifty Fest, Alex said, they’ll be going the whole nine yards.
“They’ve put a lot of planning into this,” Alex said. “There will be costume changes representing different eras, and they’re gonna have time to do a lot of the hits.”
Is Swifty Fest like an actual Taylor Swift concert?
Alex says Swifty Fest is an all-ages concert that captures the high-energy, yet intimate “magic” of a Swift concert. The Bejeweled Band will play stripped down, acoustic covers of Swift’s bouncy pop songs; they’ll take moments to speak with the audience and take requests.
And much like a Swift concert, fans can bask in the collective energy of other swifties, who are sure to come decked out in sequined sunglasses and “a lot going on at the moment” T-shirts.
Plus, a ticket to Swifty Fest is good karma: just like last year, proceeds support Camp Broadcast, a program Alex founded to support aspiring journalists and broadcasters in high school and college.
When is Swifty Fest this year?
Swifty Fest is coming a little earlier this year. The concert will be on Sunday, Aug. 17, at 2:30 p.m. Alex said he feels like it’s the perfect time, before August slips away, the school year starts, and Indiana University students flood back into town.
“For a lot of kids, it’s their first concert,” Alex said. “The Sunday matinee feels perfect.”
How do I buy tickets to Swifty Fest?
Tickets are on sale at the Swifty Fest website, swiftyfest.com, or at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater website, buskirkchumley.org/events. Early bird general admission starts at $25, with premium, front-row seating and group party packages also available; visit swiftyfest.com/birthdays for details.
Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com. Follow X/Twitter at @brianwritesnews.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: It’s been a long time coming: Taylor Swift tribute concert ‘Swifty Fest’ returns for 2nd year
Reporting by Brian Rosenzweig, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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