A Columbus Target and 8 others in GA to host midnight launch parties for new Taylor Swift album

There’s more good news for Georgia Swifties. Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” will get an exclusive midnight release party at Target stores across the country in October and Georgia has several cities on the list.

Swift thrilled fans last month when she announced her 12th studio album on the New Heights podcast, hosted by her then boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason. In true Swift fashion, the announcement was preceded by a countdown clock on her website that ended at 12:12 a.m. and she teased it on her Instagram in the weeks leading up to it.

The album release party

Target nationwide is the official host, making this a major retail event for Swift’s fans. The event is for the physical album collectors and all the fans seeking exclusive editions.

Swift continues to lead the industry in sales of physical albums. She has sold over 56 million studio albums bought worldwide, with hundreds of thousands of vinyl LPs sold.

Release parties have all but vanished since the rise of streaming and Swift may be a driving force in reviving the ritual. This experience combines the old-school album release-excitement with a fandom that is known for its enthusiasm and unique commitment to Swift.

When:

• October 2 going into October 3
• Midnight (local time)

Where:

Parties will occur across all 50 states, and nine cities in Georgia will participate.

• Albany  |  2721 Dawson Rd, Albany, GA 31707
• Athens  |  3065 Atlanta Hwy, Athens, GA 30606
• Canton  |  2022 Cumming Hwy, Canton, GA 30115
• Columbus  |  1591 Bradley Park Dr, Columbus, GA 31904
• Cumming  |  1525 Market Place Blvd, Cumming, GA 30041
• Evans  |  4223 Washington Rd, Evans, GA 30809
• Valdosta  |  1815 Norman Dr, Valdosta, GA 31601
• Warner Robins  |  2929 Watson Blvd, Warner Robins, GA 31093
• Woodstock  |  140 Woodstock Square Ave, Woodstock, GA 30189

If you live outside of Georgia, or plan to be elsewhere on October 3, Target has a release party locator with listings in each state.

Swifties across the country will come together as the clock strikes midnight to celebrate “The Life of a Showgirl,” and it will, no doubt, be the song of the fall. Fans can preorder the album at the Target website or at the official Taylor Swift store.

Will you be waiting at Target at midnight? Send me all your Taylor-related lore and stories. Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.