Some people queue for five months for a Taylor Swift concert

Fanaticism for an artist can reach very high peaks. Italians are specialists, and no, we are not talking about the famous hysterical crying of a "Belieber" («Perché no Napoli, Justin?»), that would be too easy. Every fanbase has a distinctive trait that sets it apart from the others. The average fan of the italian singer, Vasco Rossi, for example, tends to collect countless items from his merchandise, with bandanas being among the most common, perfect to match with the cliché lettering tattoo, «Because life is a thrill that flies away, it's all a balance above madness....». Despite the fact that the rocker's fanbase seems to be solid, fanatical, and totally devoted, it is truly microscopic when compared to that of some international artists, such as the Taylor Swift cult. What does it mean to be a "Swiftie"? Becoming passionate about the singer's tracks is only a small part of it: to be part of the Swifties means to empathize completely with the artist, constantly follow the scandals, scoops, and news related to her in general. It was Taylor Swift herself who shaped (not to say "brainwashed") her own fandom, using an excessively "relatable" discography: anyone has at least one love story or has experienced a life event that resonates with Taylor Swift's lyrics. And the impact of her music is evident, it can be measured in significant data, even for a country like the United States.

According to Morgan Stanley, the "Taylor Swift effect" could have an overall impact on the U.S. GDP of 1.5% in 2023. According to Bloomberg economics, and as reported by MF Fashion, the shows in the United States alone added $4.3 billion to the country's GDP, thanks to an average of 70,000 fans at each tour stop, leading to increased travel to the United States, in addition to hotel bookings and extra expenses. At just 34 years old, Taylor Swift is one of the most influential artists in the world. She has become a billionaire thanks to her latest tour, which, as promised, should conclude with a total of 146 concerts in 2024. Swift's footsteps have just touched down in North America, where her fanatical following is particularly pronounced, and yet, we would have never dreamed of telling the story of what happened in Argentina.

The singer will perform at the River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires for three dates of her Eras Tour. They are scheduled for November 9, 10, and 11, and fans have been queuing for a remarkable five months. Calling it a "line" would be an understatement; it's more accurate to explain that Taylor Swift's fans have created a well-organized camp, and since Taylor's following is like a true cult, they have, in this case as well, remembered to genuflect before their heroine. Initially, there were two organizers for the queue and only four tents. The organizers used Excel sheets to calculate the actual time each person spent inside the tent: a "safe spot" that should secure the right to occupy those privileged positions in front of the entrance gates.

The spontaneous question that arises is: did the fans really spend five months within the confines of this impromptu tent city? No, the organizers clarified to the waiting fans that they were free to do as they pleased; in other words, they could move away from their tents, but they had to spend at least one night inside the tent once a month (which later turned into once a week, and now, in the days leading up to the big event, every night). But it doesn't end there. Just like when you're in college and you have mandatory attendance for certain classes, there was a minimum number of hours to meet: initially 140, but the "regulation" gradually changed, reaching over 200 hours. There's no official ranking on the web indicating the longest concert queues ever, but we can confidently assert that this is a record. P.S.: Argentine soccer fans, known for their fierce devotion, have complained that the stadium's turf could be significantly damaged after the three tour dates. The situation generated by Taylor Swift is indeed paradoxical.