Furious Swifties call for concert rules to be changed after Australian celebrities posted tone-deaf selfies with their kids: Here’s why fans are so upset
Taylor Swift’s Sydney shows were a star-spotting spectacle, with the likes of Rita Ora, Katy Perry, Rebel Wilson and Toni Collette among the crowds at Accor Stadium this weekend.
But the presence of celebrities and their children has upset some Swifties, who argue that it’s not fair to bring along children who are too young to appreciate the concert environment – and that they are depriving true fans of tickets.
Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli, Fifi Box and Carrie Bickmore all shared photos on social media of their young children falling asleep in their arms during The Eras Tour’s three-hour performance – much to the chagrin of diehard Taylor fans.
Many complained that tickets went to the little children of A-listers who didn’t get to enjoy the full show – which ended at about 11:15 p.m. – while real fans missed out.
Some even went so far as to say that Swift concerts should be limited to people over the age of twelve.
The presence of celebrities and their children at Taylor Swift concerts has upset some fans, who argue that it is unfair to bring children who are too young to appreciate the concert environment. (Image: Radio presenter Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli with one of his young children at Accor Stadium)
Swift’s Sydney shows were a star-spotting spectacle, with the likes of Fifi Box (left) and Carrie Bickmore (right) attending with their children – who fell asleep during the show
“Cute, but all those little kids with cards and falling asleep is killing me!” someone wrote on Facebook.
‘The hardest concert in the world to get tickets for and so many fans miss the opportunity for children to sleep through it. I bet if this was a 12+ year event there would be a lot more fans in attendance.”
“I agree with you, there were people with tired children who gave [away] their tickets for the last half of the concert as we sat outside to listen. Sweet and friendly people, they epitomize a Swiftie,” said another.
“We had four next to us who were fast asleep for half the show in Melbourne. Take them home and put them to bed if they are not ready,” they added.
‘Literal [this is] why children under the age of 10 should not be taken to concerts. I really think there should be an age limit for shows if they sell out like this,” said another.
“So many people would have paid double to go or would have loved to be there, but so many families leave halfway through with tired and emotional children,” someone else agreed.
Many complained that tickets went to the little children of A-listers who didn’t get to enjoy the full show – which ended at about 11:15 p.m. – while real fans missed out. Some even went so far as to say that Swift concerts should be limited to people over the age of twelve
Others disagreed, with one person saying those who missed out should just try harder to get tickets next time.
‘If the parents pay, the children deserve to be there. Most fall asleep at the end and have enjoyed it before. Do not you like it? Try harder next time to get tix,” one person wrote.
‘The number of people who think that children who fall asleep throw away a card is beyond me. It is still the experience of a lifetime for them,” said another.
“They will forever remember going to this concert with their mom/dad/friends…just because they are little and fall asleep doesn’t mean it’s a waste.”
More than 600,000 people attended the Australian leg of Swift’s Eras tour – with a record 96,000 fans attending each of her three nights in Melbourne and a further 83,000 Swifties at each of her four shows in Sydney.
‘The hardest concert in the world to get tickets and so many fans are missing children to sleep through it. I bet if this was an event for more than 12 people there would be a lot more fans in attendance,” one person said.