For many of the shows, Swift invited special guests onstage with her, including musicians, actors, athletes, and models, whom the media called her "squad".

Meanwhile, her appearances with an array of special guests attracted commentary regarding her new image as a pop star—having previously been known as a country singer-songwriter—and the sense of authenticity that she had maintained.

[4] Australian singer Vance Joy was announced as an opening act, and the ticket sale for the North American leg was confirmed for November 14.

She included new versions of songs from her older catalog to maintain the cohesive, synth-heavy production of 1989 while also keeping the "live feel" of her performances.

She acknowledged the challenge of playing in stadiums, expressing her goal for "those people in the very top row [to] feel like they got an intimate, personal experience".

[5] In an interview with KIIS-FM in December 2014, she revealed that she knew what the stage would look like, as well as knowing that "all the fans seem to be saying that they really don't want any song [from 1989] left off the setlist".

[17][18] Next, Swift sings "Blank Space" before erupting into a call-and-response climax where she strikes a golf club against a black lacquer cane whilst also shouting the name of the city where the concert is being held.

[19][20][21] Swift proceeds with an industrial rock-oriented version of "I Knew You Were Trouble", which she performs as shirtless male dancers delivered a sensual choreography.

[17] The song's intense lyrics and production are accompanied by a performance of Swift being chased by the masked dancers through multiple mobile doors as she sings "They are the hunters / We are the foxes.

[18][19] The shows on the 1989 World Tour features a nearly identical set list spanning the majority of the 1989 album, with the exception of the deluxe track "Wonderland".

[41] During the second show in Santa Clara, California on August 15, 2015, Swift dedicated "Never Grow Up" (from Speak Now) to her godson, the second child of her friend, actress Jaime King.

[44][45] A notable example was the show at London's Hyde Park in July 2015, during which she was joined onstage by models Martha Hunt, Kendall Jenner, Karlie Kloss, Gigi Hadid, and Cara Delevingne, who were subsequently noted by the media as members of Swift's "squad" and her representation of her newly established feminist identity.

[46] While some of the guests were scheduled beforehand, others were improvised; Swift asked singer John Legend to join her onstage only 40 minutes prior to showtime, after spotting him in the audience.

[15] As the tour continued, special guests ranged from Hollywood actress Julia Roberts to counterculture figure Joan Baez.

[22] Rolling Stone critic Rob Sheffield appreciated the reworked versions of Swift's older songs and felt that she was pushing for an even more spectacular show than her much-praised previous Red Tour (2013–14): "Taking the easy way would have been 100 percent good enough.

"[19] In a similarly enthusiastic review, Kevin Coffrey from the Omaha World-Herald observed how the stage production complemented the songs: "Her show is on a level unlike anything I've ever seen.

"[27] Paige Allen from The Sun Chronicle was positive towards Swift's performance but felt that she could have carried the show without opening acts and special guests.

[29] Hunter Hauk of The Dallas Morning News also deemed the opening acts "forgettable" but was impressed by Swift's natural performance onstage.

[64] It topped the Billboard Hot Tours chart for the second week, earning $15.2 million, with a total of 129,962 tickets sold from three shows in Charlotte and Philadelphia.

[75] On December 13, 2015, Taylor Swift announced the upcoming release of The 1989 World Tour Live, a concert film produced in collaboration with Apple Music.

[76][77] The 1989 World Tour Live was directed by Jonas Åkerlund, known for his work on high-profile music videos and concert films.

Åkerlund’s direction combined live concert footage with intimate behind-the-scenes content, offering a holistic view of Swift’s 1989 World Tour.

While the concert film primarily focuses on the Sydney show at ANZ Stadium on November 28, 2015, which was one of the largest performances of the tour, it also includes footage from the rehearsals and interactions with the crew.

These behind-the-scenes moments provide insight into Swift's creative process, as well as the emotional and physical demands of mounting such an extensive global tour.

The concert film primarily showcases the Sydney performance, which featured special guest appearances, a notable aspect of Swift's 1989 World Tour.

The behind-the-scenes footage and live concert segments highlight both the production's intricacies and Swift's role at the center of the performance, offering a balanced view of the tour's creative process and execution.

[75] Critics generally praised The 1989 World Tour Live for its production quality and Swift’s performance, which showcased both her stage presence and ability to engage with a large audience.

Åkerlund’s direction was noted for capturing the energy of the live concert while providing a personal look at Swift’s life during the tour.