The fans of the extremely successful US musician Taylor Swift are something special. The “Swifties” in South America are currently proving this in an impressive way. Swift will be performing there from November 9th to 11th as part of her “The Eras” tour. And the hardcore fans don’t just want to be there – they also want to get the best possible seats in the stadiums.
But they don’t rely on their luck or their elbows to get in. Instead, the 33-year-old’s South American fans organized themselves in an exemplary manner and showed real teamwork: they have been camping in front of the entrance to the stadiums for months. But not permanently, but according to an elaborate “shift plan”. In any case, the tents are always occupied and no one can challenge the “teams” for their place in the queue.
Some of the organized waiting began in June. A 21-year-old told the music magazine “Pitchfork”: “We’ve been in this tent for five months. I usually tell my father that I’m in the park or with a friend who lives near the stadium.” Around 60 fans would share the waiting time in the tent, no one under the age of 18 would be allowed to take part, and everyone would occasionally have to take on a night shift. Anyone who sacrifices more time can be further up the line later.
While one can only admire such commitment and organizational talent, the “Swifties” in front of the stadiums are not only getting positive reactions. The campers report that passers-by often mock or even insult them. “Some people are pretty upset about us camping here for some reason.” A young woman reports that she was yelled at at two in the morning to go to work. “You’re the one standing in front of a tent at this hour screaming,” she comments. “Shouldn’t you be thinking about your work tomorrow?”
Sources: “Pitchfork”, “Guardian”
