RIVER NORTH — Days before her new album drops, Taylor Swift is asking her Chicago fans to scan a QR code that leads to an error message.
The painted QR code popped up on a white building with a “blank space” in River North at 25 W. Grand Ave. The code consists of “ttpd” letters and “13” numbers — apparent references to Swift’s self-proclaimed lucky number and upcoming album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” set to release 11 p.m. Thursday.
The cryptic code immediately drew lines of Swifties and spawned conspiracy theories online.
The code leads to a 13-second YouTube short with the typewritten message “Error 321” and options to pre-order the megastar’s new album on cassette, CD or vinyl.
Shortly before Swift announced her new album at this year’s Grammys, her website also showed an “Error 321” message, according to Bryan West, USA Today’s newly minted full-time Taylor Swift reporter.
“Swift loves to create buzz with cryptic messages and Easter eggs ahead of an album release,” West wrote. “[S]he knows a mural in Chicago with a QR code to YouTube will keep Swifties guessing and anticipating the Eras Tour performer’s next move.”
Swift was in Chicago for three sold-out shows at Soldier Field in June as part of her worldwide “Eras Tour.” During one of those shows, Swift gave 11-year-old Isabella Avila her fedora while performing “22.”
“She smelled like cherries and her hands were soft,” said the suburban Chicago girl.
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