hi everyone, i’m back on the east coast after 6 nights of shows at SoFi stadium, so i wanted to share some of what I have been doing and my feelings towards it. Music and art as a whole has the ability to cultivate a community, and that has always been something I am so thankful to have found through my passions. When i set out to document this project, it came from a place of appreciation and frustration. my whole life i have loved Taylor Alison Swift, and have found her music to be a place that I could turn to when I wanted to escape, to celebrate, and to understand emotions that I was going through. Taylor Swift is a superstar with a reach and fandom that is so impassioned and large that it is often dehumanized and laughed at. There’s a dismissive notion around “fan girls” and “stans” as if their excitement is less valid than more tepid fans, and it is no coincidence that this discounted mass also happen to be largely populated by young girls and queer people.
i wanted to capture this togetherness that existed at Taylor’s shows to articulate the community and love that exists in response to her music. i wanted to show to outsiders that Outside the eras tour, there were crowds filling in by the the thousands to exchange friendship bracelets and sing together and how much it meant to me and them. i wanted to prove that music can make a scene that is loving and accepting and diverse, even when it is the big Superstars.
There is such beauty around thousands of people gathering outside of stadiums for just the chance to hear their favorite artist through the cracks of the venue. No hierarchy of who is more of a fan, who knows more songs, who has better seats. I hope you see the love and beauty of the subjects of these photos. I hope you see the custom outfits, and the families and friends, the moments of dancing and intimacy, the proposals and tears and see their passion. Documenting this tour has been a culmination of all my work up until this point, and my love for the relationship between people and music.After 4 cities 15 shows 7,000 miles countless friendship bracelets, and even more photos, I am happy to say that I would do it all again.
some photos by @ofallthingsali from Vintage on Ninth the other day.. what a fun time, we had such a blast coming back to the shore 💋 see you tonight at Ortlieb’s and 4/17 at Cousin Danny’s - GRIPPER ❤️ U
SURPRISE!!! Come find the secret rainbow photo booth at the Belmar St Patrick’s Day Parade tomorrow! We’ll be at Vintage on Ninth all day with lucky four leaf clover keepsakes!
This is for the people you keep close.
Join us at @steadyhandcafe February 8th for our first photo booth pop-up where your photo becomes a in a locket or keychain. decorate it, style it, make it yours!
DM to save your spot, limited walk ins available
Another one! Join us next week at @vintageonninth and create volume 2 of the community zine! Scroll through some of the first zine we made in November! 2pm - 6pm! be there or be square!
