Taylor Swift’s Madrid concert sees thousands catch ‘gift’ of Covid from ‘Mother’
- In an informal poll on X after Taylor Swift’s Madrid show last month, more than 3,700 people said they tested positive for Covid-19
It’s been years since the pandemic times of Covid-19 lockdowns and the era of mandated masking. But while the virus is still circulating, some Swifties have become wildly optimistic about what it means to catch an infection at one of their idol’s concerts.
So much so that some Swifties on social media are playfully dubbing the Covid-19 infection they think they got from her concerts a “souvenir” and a “gift” from “Mother.”
A post on X from a Spanish Taylor Swift fan account asked followers: “Did you go to #MadridTStheErasTour and take Covid, a virus, or a cold with you as a souvenir? I open a survey.”
Of the nearly 10,800 votes, 35 per cent voted yes. People in the poll’s comments section described their symptoms and showed their positive Covid-19 tests – but also raved about how they thought it was worth it.
The poll has been viewed nearly 144,000 times at press time.
One X user commented: “Going to Taylor’s concert has meant losing my voice, losing my mental health and, well, my health in general, I’m more dead than alive (but I would go to the concert a thousand more times).”
Earlier in February, an Australian concertgoer posted a TikTok of herself dressed up in her concert outfit and glam make-up. The video then cut straight to her holding up a positive Covid-19 test kit in bed.
The Eras Tour souvenir no ones talking about 🫠 if youre heading to the sydney shows this weekend, wash your hands regularly! 🥲🫶🏼 #erastour #taylorswift #sick #sydney
She captioned the post: “The Eras Tour souvenir no ones talking about. if youre heading to the sydney shows this weekend, wash your hands regularly!”
However, other X users have voiced their disbelief at Swifties calling the virus a souvenir.
One X user wrote: “Taylor Swift’s concert attendees are calling their Covid infections ‘souvenirs’ and ‘gifts’ from ‘Mother,’ and I’m supposed to NOT wanna launch myself into the sun???”
Concerts have gained notoriety as Covid-19 superspreader events. In 2021, more than 2,200 people caught the virus after going to music festivals in northeast Spain.
And while the virus is treated more like the common flu now, Covid-19 is still circulating – and people are getting infected across the US.
Virus-spreading or not, Swift’s Eras Tour has been widely successful, propelling the singer-songwriter to billionaire status. Swift is now in the UK for her next leg of the tour.
Swift’s representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
