Will.i.am has revealed that Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour inspired the Black Eyed Peas’ Las Vegas residency.
The ‘Boom Boom Pow’ hitmakers are set to begin a residency in Sin City in February 2025 and the 49-year-old star revealed that the group were convinced to do so when they saw Taylor in concert in Italy this summer – even though he was skeptical about the record-breaking tour at first. The Eras Tour has already grossed over $1 billion worldwide, setting new records in the concert industry.
“I’m like, ‘Everybody’s talking about that Taylor Swift show,'” Will.i.am told SiriusXM. The interview took place as part of the radio station’s special coverage of upcoming Las Vegas residencies.
“And they’re really hyping it. Like, ‘How dope can it actually be? It’s just a show.’ When people praise stuff that much, there’s no way that it’s that dope. It’s impossible.” This initial skepticism reflected a common sentiment among industry veterans who had yet to experience the tour firsthand.
The artist was left “transfixed” by Taylor’s show and revealed that it convinced him and bandmates apl.de.ap and Taboo to accept the Vegas offer. The Black Eyed Peas, who have sold over 80 million records worldwide, join a prestigious lineup of performers who have chosen Las Vegas as their performance home.
“I went to Taylor Swift, like, with super heavy sceptics goggles on,” Will.i.am said. The Italian concert he attended was part of Swift’s European leg of the tour, which attracted millions of fans across the continent.
“That was hardcore, bro. The best s*** in the world. I left like, ‘Yo, we definitely doing Vegas. Let’s do it.'” The decision to pursue a Las Vegas residency marks a new chapter for the group, which has been performing together for over two decades.
“That’s how transfixed I was (with) that Taylor Swift show. And then from there I called our management like, ‘Yo, that Vegas offer still there? Say yes to it… I just came from Taylor Swift’s show, and we’re gonna do it.'” Las Vegas residencies have become increasingly lucrative, with some artists earning over $1 million per show.
“I’ve been freaking energized and inspired. So thank you Swift.” This acknowledgment of Swift’s influence demonstrates the growing impact of her performances on fellow artists and the entertainment industry as a whole.
Will.i.am has long admired the work of Swift – whose Eras Tour concludes in Vancouver this weekend – as he revealed back in 2013 that he wanted to collaborate with the ‘Anti-Hero’ hitmaker. Swift’s tour has attracted numerous celebrity attendees and influenced various aspects of the entertainment industry.
“Taylor Swift is dope. I’d like to work with Taylor Swift,” he told E! News. The potential collaboration remains unrealized, though both artists have continued to achieve significant success in their respective careers.
“I like the girl. We could do something really fantasy-like. That would be cool.” The Black Eyed Peas’ upcoming residency is expected to incorporate elements of spectacle and innovation, hallmarks of both their own performances and Swift’s Eras Tour.
The impact of Swift’s tour extends beyond just inspiration, as it has contributed to significant economic boosts in every city it has visited. According to economic analysts, each tour stop generates an average of $200 million in local economic impact through tourism, hospitality, and related spending.
The Black Eyed Peas’ residency announcement comes at a time when Las Vegas is experiencing a renaissance in live entertainment, with multiple venues hosting major artists and shows. The city’s entertainment industry has fully recovered from the pandemic slowdown, with revenue exceeding pre-2020 levels.
