Modern-day pop music fan culture has become ‘unhinged in all the wrong ways’, according to journalist and author Suzanne Harrington.
She was speaking with just days to go before US superstar Taylor Swift lands in Ireland for the first of three sold-out shows at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
In her latest Irish Examiner column, Ms Harrington warns that Swift's global army of fans highlights a major change in fan culture in recent years.
Taylor Swift performs during her Eras Tour in Florida, 13-4-23. Image: ZUMA Press Inc / AlamyOn Newstalk Breakfast this morning, she said she has nothing against Taylor herself – but said she struggles to understand the modern pop music fan.
“The thing that's really struck me is the kind of mad, mad commercialisation of being a fan these days,” she said.
“You know, it's a really expensive, obsessive pursuit and also, it's really conformist.
“Like everybody, kind of, thinks the same, looks the same – it's like she's a life coach rather than an artist or a performer.
“There's an element of life coach to her and it's all so wholesome and so kind of, it's almost churchy and I find that a bit weird because, isn't art and performance meant to kind of shake you to your core rather than be kind of nice and safe and lovely and wholesome?
“I don't know. Maybe I'm too old.”
'Insane commercialisation'
She said the commercialisation of the Swiftie movement has seen the popstar become “more of a product than an artist”.
“Like, everybody deserves an artist that they can relate to, and I'm not for a second, dismissing Taylor Swift's clear and obvious talent,” she said.
“I just, I don't know, it just it just seems like capitalism has kind of eaten fandom. I think that that's my point really.
“Taylor Swift is just an example; it could be Harry Styles, it could be any of those massive, shiny stadium people that just, you know, have a talent and an act, but there it's so far removed and you need serious money to engage with it.”
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift brings her record-breaking Eras tour to Dublin on June 28th, 29th and 30th.
The tickets sold out in minutes when they were first released last summer – and Bank of Ireland is warning people to beware of scammers if attempting to purchase them second hand.
You can listen back to Ms Harrington here:
