I don’t like that attending the Eras Tour has become an elitist activity

[Anonymous]

Ta Ta has become the Super Bowl!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:90% of people did not spend a ton on this show. They just got lucky in the Ticketmaster sale.

West Coast here. This was us, and everyone else seated around us the night we went in LA.

The celebrity photos I saw on Instagram were basically like they were from another event. We were seated very high up with mostly teenage and 20-something girls and younger girls and their families. It was definitely representative of the greater LA area and not “fancy” LA and being around a wide variety of genuinely friendly people was the best part of the concert. I’ve never been to a huge concert without big dudes knocking into me or hollering drunkenly, or people acting sketchy. I loved being in a cheerful, supportive concert environment!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm many, many cities, ticket holder hopefuls have gone to the counter where they're supposed to confirm that they have tickets, and when handing the employee their folded up printed out copy of confirmation, they've placed money on the inside instead and instead of a confirmation number, they'll have written a note saying that they don't have tickets (probably with some sort of sob story too) and they're hoping that the employee can help them out... and it's WORKED!

The average amount that people are sharing that they put in was between $100 - $300, which then gets them in to the venue somehow (admittedly, I'm not exactly sure what it is as I kind of skimmed through all of the posts, but I think someone mentioned that it was some kind of admission bracelet or something that confirms that they DO indeed have tickets, without having to actually SHOW their tickets to security, as that would cause a major backlog of people trying to get in).

This admission only gets them into the venue and passed the first layer of security at the main entrance to the concert area, but then you're on your own in trying to find a place to stand/sit.

Some people have reported that certain venues have open standing areas near the floor seats and toward the back of the room (by the door) for those who've become too overwhelmed by the big crowds -- others have reported having to move multiple times as people have shown up to claim their seats. I haven't read anyone say they've gotten kicked out though, and I read through at least 100 posts saying it's worked and posting pics of them in the seats / standing area, and their view of TS.

Nobody has reported that anyone has gotten arrested for doing this, a handful of people reported thad the employee just slipped them back the paper and $$ saying they couldn't do it, but nothing happened to the person for trying.

Some of the people have gotten such incredible seats, its amazing.

I guess it all comes down to how much a fan really wants to see the show, and if they're willing to go for it (I think a lot has to do with choosing the right employee to try this with too... usually you can get a feel of whose line to get on).

This is the dumbest made up thing I’ve ever heard. There are no ticket printouts. Are they folding up their phone barcodes? Is a Russian bot telling you this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:90% of people did not spend a ton on this show. They just got lucky in the Ticketmaster sale.

West Coast here. This was us, and everyone else seated around us the night we went in LA.

The celebrity photos I saw on Instagram were basically like they were from another event. We were seated very high up with mostly teenage and 20-something girls and younger girls and their families. It was definitely representative of the greater LA area and not “fancy” LA and being around a wide variety of genuinely friendly people was the best part of the concert. I’ve never been to a huge concert without big dudes knocking into me or hollering drunkenly, or people acting sketchy. I loved being in a cheerful, supportive concert environment!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are some elites so defensive when you point it out to them?

I am not a Swifty and would not pay this much (and sacrifice my very valuable time) to travel to see anyone's good show. But I don't see why it is wrong for rich people to do this if they are huge Swift fans. Isn't that what rich people do with their money? Spend it on things that signal they are wealthy? If you are a huge Swift fan and can't afford to do this activity, how does it stop you from enjoying her music? It's not healthy to take it personally. And seriously, most people in the world will just shrug and say "that's nice, hope you had a great time" if you tell them you got to see a show on the Eras tour.

Not OP, but I think the bold above is the problem many on this thread have with this whole scenario. It's galling to some to see people who are not "huge Swift fans" going to these shows (same would apply to Beyonce shows, IMHO) just because they're What Rich People Are Doing Right Now, not because they care about the music or the artist much. Of course no one gets to gatekeep what entertainment others can go see so it is what it is -- but it's annoying.

PP here. That's taking it all too personally and appointing yourself gatekeeper. If some rich people are only going so they can flex, well that's just sad and certainly nothing to envy. But they have every right to spend money frivolously like that. There's no practical way for Swift Inc. to screen people buying tickets to ensure that only the "correct" kind of fan attends the shows. At every concert, the crowd is a mix of diehard fanatics, normal fans, and people who are just meh about the whole thing but decided to go for various reasons.

[Anonymous]

Here is true and funny take from a Beyoncé fan in an article in the NYtimes about Taylor and Beyoncé’s tours this summer:

“Beyoncé got a lot of money out of me: At this point, I’m going to claim her as a dependent on my taxes,” Kalen Allen, 27”

Nice article, featuring both artists in a non-competitive way btw.

[Anonymous]

Her strength has always been songwriting, and she’s a shrewd businesswoman. She’s pretty and fit and popular, a hard worker, and smart with marketing.

But my God, this tour is making her out to be the second coming of Christ. I don’t get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:90% of people did not spend a ton on this show. They just got lucky in the Ticketmaster sale.

West Coast here. This was us, and everyone else seated around us the night we went in LA.

The celebrity photos I saw on Instagram were basically like they were from another event. We were seated very high up with mostly teenage and 20-something girls and younger girls and their families. It was definitely representative of the greater LA area and not “fancy” LA and being around a wide variety of genuinely friendly people was the best part of the concert. I’ve never been to a huge concert without big dudes knocking into me or hollering drunkenly, or people acting sketchy. I loved being in a cheerful, supportive concert environment!

My daughter was there and said the same. She said it was so nice to be with a big crowd and feel safe. They made new friends and traded bracelets. The Harry Styles show had the same vibe. Gatherings that are primarily women are that way. I’m glad she got to feel that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:90% of people did not spend a ton on this show. They just got lucky in the Ticketmaster sale.

West Coast here. This was us, and everyone else seated around us the night we went in LA.

The celebrity photos I saw on Instagram were basically like they were from another event. We were seated very high up with mostly teenage and 20-something girls and younger girls and their families. It was definitely representative of the greater LA area and not “fancy” LA and being around a wide variety of genuinely friendly people was the best part of the concert. I’ve never been to a huge concert without big dudes knocking into me or hollering drunkenly, or people acting sketchy. I loved being in a cheerful, supportive concert environment!

My daughter was there and said the same. She said it was so nice to be with a big crowd and feel safe. They made new friends and traded bracelets. The Harry Styles show had the same vibe. Gatherings that are primarily women are that way. I’m glad she got to feel that.

Yes all the internalized misogyny leads all women to be sugar and spice and everything nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:90% of people did not spend a ton on this show. They just got lucky in the Ticketmaster sale.

West Coast here. This was us, and everyone else seated around us the night we went in LA.

The celebrity photos I saw on Instagram were basically like they were from another event. We were seated very high up with mostly teenage and 20-something girls and younger girls and their families. It was definitely representative of the greater LA area and not “fancy” LA and being around a wide variety of genuinely friendly people was the best part of the concert. I’ve never been to a huge concert without big dudes knocking into me or hollering drunkenly, or people acting sketchy. I loved being in a cheerful, supportive concert environment!

My daughter was there and said the same. She said it was so nice to be with a big crowd and feel safe. They made new friends and traded bracelets. The Harry Styles show had the same vibe. Gatherings that are primarily women are that way. I’m glad she got to feel that.

Yes all the internalized misogyny leads all women to be sugar and spice and everything nice.

Glad someone said it. I’m so tired of this.

[Anonymous]

I got to page 4 of this thread and no one has much to say about her music. Honestly, do you people even listen to music? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to a cocktail party or BBQ and there is no music at all.

I liked Taylor’s early stuff, when her voice sounded so pure. Everything was pretty good through 1989, which was IMO her ‘piece de resistance’. Really incredibly good album. So much so, that I have almost equally enjoyed Ryan Adam’s cover of it.

Beyond 1989, her music sounds very depressing and broody. The lyrics sound contrived. I would maybe spend up to $300 to go to her concert, IF it was at a 2 thousand seat or less venue. Anything else is a hard no from me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People make different choices with their money.

I have good friends who make about the same amount as my husband and I. They have two kids, live in a small townhouse, went to Taylor swift and several other concerts and experiences, just went on vacation to Europe, and have told their kids that they shouldn’t expect any help for college so to consider community college for the first two years then transferring. We have three kids, live in a single family home, and will have saved enough to pay outright for in state tuition for all three kids, but took a driving vacation, and don’t do any concerts (the last concert I attended was the 4th grade strings concert at our kids elementary school). Good people make different spending decisions.

(Post above is from earlier in the thread)

You call these "good people" who simply made "different spending decisions"? I call them idiot parents who are going to discover eventually that their children resent the hell out them for splurging on concert tickets and big vacations then having the gall to lumber the kids with either college debt or degrees that aren't that great quality. (And yes, I know all about the CC-to-Name College route, but it's not applicable everywhere for every kind of degree.)

When their kids hit their mid-20s and realize they're saddled for years with debt, when their parents could have made some different choices, the resentment will come home to roost.

I wonder if this couple does any saving for their own retirement or if they'll find out one day that they need the kids to help support them as they age....

Well, at least they can say they saw Taylor Swift back in the day!

I'm a different poster than the one you're replying to -- speaking from my own personal experience (and I had a similar childhood as you're describing, and I remember all of the amazing times I had with my parents & siblings).
Going on vacation and seeing all kinds of Broadway shows & concerts was well worth it to me -- because that's all I really remember, the wonderful times.

I had academic scholarships, but I also applied for about 200 scholarships that go unused every year.
My guidance counselor had a huge book of them, and now there are websites that list THOUSANDS of them and they're super easy to attain, because so many kids don't even know they exist, so they don't know to apply for them.
Some scholarships were for only like $500, but some were for $5,000.
I applied for a many as I physically could, and that's how I covered what I didn't receive in scholarships.
I worked every break throughout high school & college and saved that money, and my parents covered anything that wasn't covered by scholarships.

Any debt that I would have been "saddled" with, I know I could always make and remake in my career... but I can never earn or buy those wonderful memories with my parents and siblings, and now that my parents are gone, it makes those memories even more special.

Grandpa George from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory said it best.
(setting the scene)
Charlie has just returned home with the golden ticket and tells his extremely impoverished family that someone offered him a lot of money to buy it from him... and Charlie thinks it's the right thing to do.

Grandpa George : You, come here. Now look, there's plenty of money out there. They print more every day -- but this ticket, there's only five of them in the whole world, and that's all there's ever going to be. Only a dummy would give this ticket up for something as common as money... are you a dummy?

Charlie Bucket : No, sir.

Grandpa George : Then get that mud off your pants! You've got a factory to go to!

Cool story. What was your actual debt? Doesn’t sound like a lot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got to page 4 of this thread and no one has much to say about her music. Honestly, do you people even listen to music? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to a cocktail party or BBQ and there is no music at all.

I liked Taylor’s early stuff, when her voice sounded so pure. Everything was pretty good through 1989, which was IMO her ‘piece de resistance’. Really incredibly good album. So much so, that I have almost equally enjoyed Ryan Adam’s cover of it.

Beyond 1989, her music sounds very depressing and broody. The lyrics sound contrived. I would maybe spend up to $300 to go to her concert, IF it was at a 2 thousand seat or less venue. Anything else is a hard no from me.

You wasted a lot of time reading a thread about music you don’t like. Why is that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got to page 4 of this thread and no one has much to say about her music. Honestly, do you people even listen to music? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to a cocktail party or BBQ and there is no music at all.

I liked Taylor’s early stuff, when her voice sounded so pure. Everything was pretty good through 1989, which was IMO her ‘piece de resistance’. Really incredibly good album. So much so, that I have almost equally enjoyed Ryan Adam’s cover of it.

Beyond 1989, her music sounds very depressing and broody. The lyrics sound contrived. I would maybe spend up to $300 to go to her concert, IF it was at a 2 thousand seat or less venue. Anything else is a hard no from me.

You wasted a lot of time reading a thread about music you don’t like. Why is that?

Because the title of the thread invited criticism of Taylor swift by asking why her concerts are elitist. Note that the PP said she read to page 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Her strength has always been songwriting, and she’s a shrewd businesswoman. She’s pretty and fit and popular, a hard worker, and smart with marketing.

But my God, this tour is making her out to be the second coming of Christ. I don’t get it.

It’s part of a larger phenomenon this summer: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and the Barbie movie have all made huge amounts of money, brought people of all stripes together after some very difficult and isolated years, and made many girls and women and LGBTQ people feel part of something big.