Taylor Swift fans queue to buy merchandise before the star’s concert at the Paris La Défense Arena, May 8, 2024 in Nanterre, near Paris (AFP / MIGUEL MEDINA)
Sequined suits, cowboy boots, heart-shaped glasses and nails in the colors of her albums, Taylor Swift fans descended on Paris on Thursday, before Lyon, Madrid, London or Munich, for the launch of the American mega-star’s tour on the Old continent.
“I can’t wait. Since July we’ve been waiting for this concert to take place,” says Christophe Dondon with a smile, who has been waiting “since 8:20 a.m.” and has equipped himself with a folding chair and a fan.
At the foot of Paris La Défense Arena, the most diligent have camped for several days. The queue stretches all the way to the Grande Arche, over 600 meters.
Fans in circles on the ground quietly start “You belong with me”, an old hit by their idol, while waiting for the doors to open. Some exchange hand-made friendship bracelets, a custom during this tour.
Léa, 20, wore a pink tulle dress and adorned herself with a handmade Miss Americana scarf in bright colors.
Glitter on her cheeks, Manon Becart says she is “very excited, and yet we are not in the room”.
Fans of American singer Taylor Swift show off their VIP boxes, before the star’s concert at the Paris La Défense Arena, on May 8, 2024 in Nanterre, near Paris (AFP / MIGUEL MEDINA)
Aware of the public’s impatience and its appetite for derivative products after attending Taylor Swift’s Japanese shows, Paris La Défense Arena has doubled its points of sale, Bathilde Lorenzetti, vice-president of the company, told AFP. ‘pregnant.
The doors opened at 3:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. GMT) for VIPs, 4:45 p.m. (2:45 p.m. GMT) for the majority of spectators, with the concert starting at 8:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. GMT). The price of tickets is 180 euros on average.
– “Echo to our experience” –
In the queues, young adults rub shoulders with children and teenagers with their parents and older couples.
Taylor Swift fans queue to buy merchandise before the star’s concert at the Paris La Défense Arena, May 8, 2024 in Nanterre, near Paris (AFP / MIGUEL MEDINA)
Languages mix, with 30% non-French, including 20% Americans, among the 42,000 spectators of each of the four concerts scheduled in Paris until Sunday, according to figures communicated by the venue.
“Tickets were really difficult to get in the United States,” says American Abby Shepard, who traveled from Denver to Paris, where seats are “much cheaper.” She takes the opportunity to go sightseeing.
The common point of this crowd: having been touched by the texts of an artist who has been singing about her joys and sorrows for 17 years.
Taylor Swift fans queue to buy merchandise before the star’s concert at the Paris La Défense Arena, May 8, 2024 in Nanterre, near Paris (AFP / MIGUEL MEDINA)
“We know her biggest hits which are super +catchy+ (catchy, Editor’s note), very pop. But, when we look deeper into her discography, there are songs on which she opens up. Taylor Swift talks about relationships toxic, impossible love, politics, mental health, etc. I think we can all find a song that echoes our experiences”, testified Wednesday the Frenchwoman Chris, 30, who did not wish to give. her last name.
The sixth tour of the Personality of the Year 2023, according to Time magazine, began in March of the same year in the United States. Called “The Eras Tour”, at the end of last year it became the first in history to sell more than a billion dollars in tickets. This figure is expected to more than double by the time it expires in Canada in December.
– New album –
The precise 03:20 show, which the singer took across the Americas, Asia and Australia, retraced until then the ten albums (since “Taylor Swift” in 2006) which propelled her to a rising star of country American to the biggest international pop star, with 110 million monthly listeners on Spotify (compared to 70 for Beyoncé or Dua Lipa).
American singer Taylor Swift in concert in Sydney, during her “The Eras Tour”, on February 23, 2024 in Australia (AFP / DAVID GRAY)
In mid-April, the 34-year-old singer released her 11th opus. Sold 1.4 million copies on the first day, “The Tortured Poets Department” became the most listened to upon its launch on the music streaming platform, with a billion streams in five days. This despite mixed reviews, with British music magazine NME calling it a “rare misstep”.
“Perhaps she will include this new album?” asks Noah, a 20-year-old Frenchman. Images of rehearsals posted online by the artist to more than 500 million subscribers on all social networks gave a glimpse of new paintings.
After registering with his friends “22 different emails” to obtain places, Noah will attend the four Parisian evenings. Chris had reserved a meeting room with colleagues to watch for the precious sesames. She will attend several European concerts.
Taylor Swift, former America’s Little Bride who took a stand against Trumpism in 2018, is scheduled to travel to Sweden, Portugal, Spain, Lyon (June 2-3), the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Poland and Austria.
Each time with a notable impact expected on the local economy.