THE OVERLAP OF MAGGOTS AND SWIFTIES

Taylor and Taylor. Coincidence? I think not.

Taylor Swift is not brand new in the alternative world. We already know her from having Paramore open for her on the European leg of the Eras Tour, as well as her past with Panic! at the Disco- creating one of the most popular songs of 2019 with Brendon Urie (‘Me!’). Not only this, but her performance at the 2013 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show with Fall Out Boy is one of the most iconic VS shows of all time, not to mention ‘Electric Touch’ with is the song she created with them for her 2010 album, Speak Now.

But these are pop-punk and rock bands- heavier than some, but nowhere near metal. So why are metalheads finding a hidden love for Miss Americana?

Some could argue her lyrics play a huge part in this- they're not so dissimilar sometimes to what you would find in metal songs. This was even found in a YouTube video posted by the Dickey Dines Show- where they guessed if a lyric was from Tay Tay or Bring Me the Horizon and it was not easy, even for a seasoned Swiftie and a Metalhead.

Leaning more into the world of metal, female artists like Suzaka Nakamoto of Babymetal, Lzzy Hale and even Evanescence’s Amy Lee are all big names within the genre, opening it up more for female voices to be heard. Taylor has a strong vocal range, fitting in with these other female artists very well in that sense, which could be another reason there are so many secret swifties out there.

Lastly, look at a moshpit and look at the eras tour. Okay, so one’s a tad more aggressive and features black clothes and band t-shirts, whereas the other has sparkles, rhinestones and friendship bracelets. But honestly? They aren't so different- they are communities. One thing that has always brought alternative music fans together is the fact that they are in their own little community with like-minded people. 

Since the Eras tour began, T-Swizzle fans have been such a community, that people compare it to a cult (and I'm not saying we are, I’m just saying she’d be a great leader). In all seriousness though, particularly for female metal fans, having such a safe space for expression and enjoyment of music is so important. Now, also seeing how kids are now getting to grow up in the space that Taylor's music has created, has brought more alternative music fans towards her because this is what we wanted growing up- creating a hybrid Swiftie/metalhead alliance that could take on the most aggressive mosh pit, and sing the entirety of ATWTMVTV while doing it.

This was written to be assessed as part of my Journalism course. This was in Semester 2 of Level 6 and was for the Undergraduate Major Project, where I created a (primarily) music magazine, aimed at Gen Z. Below is the page design for this article.