‘I was shocked I enjoyed Taylor Swift’s music at least as much as AC/DC’

Telegraph readers who otherwise weren’t fans of Taylor Swift were blown away at Wembley Stadium

The Telegraph gave Taylor Swift’s Eras tour in London this month a glowing review of five stars – twice. Anita Singh, arts and entertainment editor, confessed: “Before tonight, which was a treat for my daughter, I didn’t fully ‘get’ Taylor Swift. Now I do.”
Singh explained how “midway through the set, proceedings were temporarily halted by an ovation so long and loud and heartfelt that Swift took out her ear monitor to experience it fully”.
So wide-reaching is Taylor Swift’s appeal that it has touched the hearts and minds of Telegraph readers, who admit that in normal circumstances they would never listen to her music.
Reader Tanya Brady, for example, “was willing to pop my head underwater rather than listen to [Swift]. But the more I discovered about this remarkable young person, the bigger of a fan I’ve become”.
In a review of Swift’s final London show on Tuesday, Poppie Platt told readers: “If you don’t ‘get’ Swift, I urge you this: go to the Eras tour. Even for those unfamiliar with her music, it can serve as a joyous celebration of togetherness and female success.”
Reader Russ Howell, a self-described “50-year-old, heterosexual, educated, bald, truck-driving father of three girls, whose last concert was AC/DC at Wembley Stadium last month” admitted he “was gobsmacked and swept away by the quality and atmosphere of the whole thing”.
Mr Howell attended the concert with his three daughters. He wore a bright pink T-shirt with “Swiftie by choice, my daughter’s choice” on the front – “I got into the spirit of it” – and went with the expectation of “some pleasant time with my daughters but tolerating three hours of music that I wasn’t hugely into”. 
How surprised he was to find he enjoyed the music “at least as much as AC/DC, The Rolling Stones six years ago and the countless Bon Jovi concerts at Wembley in my younger years. It was fantastic”.
“I reckon that anyone who doesn’t ‘get’ the whole Swift phenomenon, would have enjoyed it too. It was that good. I now accept that her success is due to her talent and hard work and applaud her for it. I am converted! I am proud to be a Swiftie Dad,” he exclaimed.
Meanwhile, Samantha Rose’s son, who is 21, catered at Wembley for Swift’s concerts. Initially, he said he would be wearing earplugs – not being a fan of her music – however during the performance he was “blown away and could see why people loved her”.  
Ms Rose added: “I think it’s wonderful that she encourages so much positivity at a time when there is so much hatred.”
Joanna Jensen attended the concert with her husband, three daughters and their friends. One of their daughters spent six weeks making a sequinned outfit and they all “were adorned with friendship bracelets made by the two youngest – which we swapped with other fans”. 
“There was an atmosphere (and volume!) unlike any other concert I’ve been to. Bottle it and give it away and you’ll change the world,” Joanna praised, adding: “Bravo Taylor – you made 92,000 people last night feel alive, loved and adored. Probably the best performer of her generation.”
Similarly, K Taylor Vickers didn’t really “get” her music either until the song Fortnight – “What a beautiful arrangement of Swift’s and Post Malone’s voices,” she said.
She believes Swift’s appeal is “undeniable” and her business and marketing acumen “wildly impressive”. 
“The fact that she has so many close female friends is such a good example for young girls, who are too often taught from a very young age to compete with each other rather than support each other,” K said.
One reader saw Swift perform early on in her career when he lived in Nashville. “Even then,” Stu Whisson said, “what seems a lifetime ago, there was a strong glimmer that she was something special.”
He suggested that Swift “gets a lot of flack, mostly by those that don’t realise how hard she works and how much she secretly gives to causes and charities in the locales of where she plays. [She’s] hugely talented, sweet, funny and self-deprecating. All the things that appeal to a Brit tired of dealing with the typical American ‘I’m awesome!’ country artist”. 
“We are all much older now, and her incredible success isn’t a surprise to those who witnessed it in the early days at the Grand Ole Opry,” he added.
Reader Radha Pemble saw Swift in Dublin a couple of months ago. She has never been a fan per se, attending the concert for her children, however, “tears welled when I saw the star-struck look in all the kids’ eyes – she exudes so much love, positivity and magic”.
“The energy was intoxicating. I’ve never been to a music concert quite like it,” they said.
Likewise, Paul Wormley saw Swift perform at Wembley in June with his daughter. “This woman is first class. [Anita Singh] nailed it when she said we need her right now. A woman for all girls and young women to aspire to,” he said.