‘I feel bad for whoever is next to me’: Taylor Swift fan sparks debate over gig etiquette with screaming video
Taylor Swift fans are divided after a video from one of her previous concerts gained attention on TikTok.
The “Anti-Hero” hitmaker recently kicked off her Eras tour in Arizona, which The Independent gave five stars in a review of the show.
In the video shared to TikTok, Swift can be seen nearing the camera while the fan holding the phone screams inaudibly.
Swift’s singing is inevitably drowned out by the screaming. The user captioned the video: “The last time I saw Taylor on tour the mom next to us asked us if we could calm down because we were scaring her seven-year-old….”
"See you tomorrow @taylorswift," she added in her caption. “I feel bad for whoever is next to me.”
Since the video has been posted, fans have been sharing their opinions on whether or not they approve of their fellow fan’s behaviour.
Many of the 33-year-old singer’s fanbase, known as Swifties, are known for their excited attitudes towards her live shows, including dancing and singing along to each song.
One Swift fan expressed this view in the comments, writing: "If you aren’t acting like this at a Taylor concert she doesn’t want you there.”
Others agreed, and endorsed the behaviour: “The only bad seat at a taylor concert is the one next to me!”
@sophienbradley See you tomorrow @taylorswift ! I feel bad for whoever is next to me #eras #erastour #swiftcity #glendale #midnights #taylorswift #taylornation @taylornation
♬ original sound - Sophie
“I must say, I felt so judged at REP tour. If you can’t handle having a good time, don’t come. I will be losing my mind,” wrote another keen fan.
Meanwhile, many thought the fan’s reaction was inappropriate.
“I can’t even hear Taylor in this video and she’s so close… I’d be pretty upset if I paid all this money to only hear a screaming fan,” one commented.
Another agreed: “I mean, that is extreme. It’s not pleasant for anyone - esp Taylor!!”
“So you decided to ruin that child’s most likely first concert and be a self-entitled a**,” commented another.
In a reaction video that has received more than 100,000 likes, TikTok user @TellTheBees suggested that there was a sense of “entitlement” among younger fans, that if they had paid for their ticket then they could behave however they liked.
In a comment that received over 14,000 likes on that clip, TikTok user Laura quoted: “The aim is to have a collective experience, not have people expeience you.”
Swift continues her tour across America ending in a run of five shows in Los Angeles. She is expected to announce UK and Europe dates later this year.
