“I’m going to four concerts... I spent 1,255 euros”: for Taylor Swift, these fans ready to break the bank

“When you love, you don’t count!” To see Taylor Swift in concert, Esther, a 24-year-old business school student, did not skimp on expenses. She will be in the audience for three of the American pop star's four dates in Paris, and one more in Warsaw (Poland): 549 euros spent for four tickets. “I have the means, but I think I’m not within the norm,” admits the young woman. It’s still a budget!”

The queen of American pop, whose albums are popular and break records at the top of the charts, begins the European part of her “The Eras Tour” in Paris this Thursday, May 9. Around fifty dates in 18 cities across the Old Continent - including four in Paris and two in Lyon - which electrified fans ready to do anything to be part of it. Certainly, the price of tickets (from 69.50 euros to 245.50 euros) has remained reasonable, compared to the surge observed in the United States, where prices fluctuating according to demand (like a train ticket) have sometimes reached several thousand dollars. But some fans had to break the bank.

Especially since the uncertainty of the draws which allowed access to ticket sales pushed many to register several times to increase their chances, including abroad. Americans who were unable to attend a concert at home during the tour also turned to Europe to take advantage of more affordable prices. Hordes of “Swifties” who delight tourism professionals: the price of overnight stays has exploded in certain cities on concert evenings, notably in Stockholm, Liverpool, Vienna, Lyon and Warsaw.

“If I go to four concerts, it’s a bit the fault of Ticketmaster [the ticket sales site, Editor’s note], points out Esther. They had postponed the sale in France because of a bug, so I had registered for Warsaw, as a precaution. She was not drawn for Paris, but friends were able to get her places. However, she resisted one more date in Vienna, for which she could also have purchased tickets.

For the trip to Warsaw, in addition to the 126 euros paid for the place, you have to add the night in AirBnb and the plane tickets, i.e. 309 euros more, not including food and drinks. Even in Paris, between the special outfits, accessories and derivative products that she plans to buy on site, expenses will add up. The business school student carefully budgeted her four evenings in an Excel spreadsheet: 1,255 euros in total.

Also read: Debut at age 11, more than 100 awards, billionaire... How did Taylor Swift conquer the planet?

Lysis, 28, will go see Taylor Swift twice. May 12 in Paris, with a gold square seat for 245 euros, then May 19, in Stockholm, because “Swiftie friends from Montreal are coming to see her in Sweden, so I wanted to be with them.” For this second concert, she got a good deal with a ticket for 60 euros, to which will have to be added 150 euros for plane tickets and the meal on site. “We’re staying at my sister’s friend’s house, which will avoid paying for accommodation…”

Clara also fell for the 245 euro place in Paris. The 24-year-old student was given it for her birthday, but she herself offered a place to her boyfriend. “I don’t have much time to travel or go out to restaurants with my studies, so I was able to treat myself,” emphasizes the Aixoise. She is also planning an outfit in reference to Taylor Swift songs, but which she will put together with what she already has in her closet. “And with a friend, we made our own friendship bracelets.”

Because beyond the concerts, it is your outfit and accessories that must be taken care of to become one with the star on stage and mark your belonging to this community of devoted fans. These friendship bracelets - or friendship bracelets -, made up of beads with letters forming words in reference to Taylor Swift's songs, are one of the flagship accessories of the tour for Swifties who exchange them.

A trend born from a few lyrics in a song - You're on Your Own, Kid - where the singer mentions them. Purchased online or made by fans themselves, they can quickly become a significant additional expense. Esther, for example, spent nearly 90 euros on pearls, threads and rhinestones. “It’s true that there is a whole marketing aspect with these bracelets and the outfits on the theme of each album which encourage consumption,” recognizes the student. But to celebrate the icon that Taylor Swift has become and the happiness that her songs bring them, nothing is too good.