Have you ever wondered why global pop phenomenon Taylor Swift is striking movie deals? Why are girls online showing off their Eras Tour outfits and making friendship bracelets? What is truly the impact that musical celebrities, such as Taylor, have on girls, and does it create community among them?
The Eras Tour has undoubtedly had a huge impact, as it is the most attended concert performed by a female and set to become the biggest tour of all time. It has a record high ticket sale, with 2.4 million sold in one day. Like it or not, Taylor Swift is reaching huge communities, and people want to attend this concert.
“I think Taylor Swift has a huge cult-like following,” said junior Payton Kichline.
Many people want to follow Taylor Swift’s journey and it creates a huge bond between women, even girls like Kichline who don’t like Taylor admit that people invested in her journey are closer together.
It is psychologically factual that listening to music you enjoy increases blood flow to regions in the brain that generate and control emotions. Music also contributes to social cohesion and effective group work.
This could be part of the reason that when women hear songs like “The Man” or scream lyrics like “make the friendship bracelets”, from a hit on her newest album entitled “You’re on Your Own, Kid”, at the top of their lungs together, they feel a personal bond. The connection girls create over music is often really strong, and it feels like you are experiencing really deep parts of yourself with someone.
“I definitely think that Taylor creates a community for girls, it’s nice to have your complex emotions be understood by so many because of music. It’s a lot like the Barbie movie,” said senior Isabelle Zellers.
The average attendance to each show of the era’s tour was 72,459 people. This is a large mass of people gathering and screaming intense lyrics that release a cathartic experience. Taylor Swift’s music and tour has created a massive community for girls, that allows them to enjoy an experience of dressing up with the ones you love and feeling intense emotions with them.
“I love Taylor Swift, I think she has great music that expresses what I’m feeling and she’s so talented,” said junior Ava Riehl.
Taylor Swift may be controversial, with some people loving her and some hating her, but it’s clear that through things like the Eras Tour and intense music she has created a tight community for women that allows them to express the wonders of “girlhood” and travel through the disparities and emotional depth of life with one another.
