Fans from everywhere in the world flock to Lollapalooza in Chicago.
When Paul, John, George and Ringo set foot on American soil in 1964, Beatlemania swept across America. And when Taylor Swift took the stage this summer for the European leg of her record-breaking Eras Tour, the continent was within the midst of a full-blown Taylor tantrum.
Not only is the “Shake It Off” singer taking her catalog of chart hits on a 15-city joyride, but hundreds of Swifties are joining her for the ride, bringing along their passports, sequin skirts and fat wallets.
If the European leg of Swift’s tour may even come near matching the behemoth that swept through North and South America in 2023 – between March and December last yr, Eras became the primary tour in history to gross greater than a billion dollars – then the economies of nations like Dublin and Warsaw will experience tremendous changes.
Zurich’s The Dolder Grand is prepared for the Swifties.
ZurichSwitzerland, where the megastar will perform on July 9 and 10, is one other destination that’s more likely to feel the “Taylor Swift effect”. The energy around The Dolder Granda Forbes Travel Guide five-star property just eight kilometers from the Letzigrund Stadium, is already stuffed with excitement.
“We expect 100 percent occupancy while Taylor Swift is in Zurich,” says Joachim Schweier, the hotel’s senior marketing and communications manager. “These concerts have a direct impact on bookings as fans travel all over the world to see their favorite artists. The Dolder Grand and the city of Zurich are preparing for a rush of tourists during this time. These major events draw attention to the destinations and have a positive impact on the city’s hotels, retail and restaurants.”
Of course, fans following their favorite artists shouldn’t be a brand new phenomenon. The loyal followers of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix enjoyed traveling to a farm in Bethel, New York, for Woodstock in 1969. Every yr, people from throughout Europe come to Somerset, England, for the Glastonbury Festival. Yet the influence that Swift, Beyoncé and a number of other other household names have on travel plans today is unparalleled. Room rates on the Dolder Grand start at $1,940 on July 8, the day before Swift takes the stage. Prices drop to $840 once they arrive after Milan.
Jackson was in full control at OMF 2023.
We all know that hotel prices fluctuate during major events. What is less well-known is that festival organizers perform a balancing act to stay reasonably priced while staying afloat. “But if we want to give these fans the ultimate experience, we can’t be the only ones paying for it,” says Jason “J” Carter, founding father of Dallas‘ recent TwoGether Land Festival and Atlantas successful One Music Fest. Janet Jackson and Kendrick Lamar headlined the latter two-day show, which welcomed around 100,000 music lovers in 2023. And although the 2024 lineup won’t be announced until July, anticipation is high. As are rumors about ticket prices. “If you want to do that, you have to make a collective effort,” says Carter. “But price sensitivity is something we’re looking at and taking seriously.”
Still, he insists: “Janet and Kendrick are not cheap! These artists are paid millions of dollars, right? Their production costs millions of dollars. It’s all connected. It’s all interconnected. The ticket price is a direct reflection of the talent you see on stage and the cost of putting it all together.”
If you desire to attend the One Music Fest (26 and 27 October), fly to Chicago for the SZA-hosted Lollapalooza (1-4 August) or for the Post Malone-headlined Festival d’été de Québec in Quebec (July 4-14) is a large investment. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that the common Swiftie invests $1,300 within the local economy on concert tickets, flights, hotels, food and merchandise. But as more people hunt down experiential travel, many do not hesitate to whip out their bank cards.
Summer is getting hotter with music tours and festivals.
Leilani Brown is one among these fans. The strategic consultant and business coach has been chasing sound for years and has found her way from her Charleston-Area Home to listen to Roy Ayers in The angel and see The Roots perform in Philadelphia. During that point, she’s gained a whole lot of experience traveling. Whether it’s selecting the correct travel companion (“Make sure your companion is a real music lover”), getting good seats (“VIP is essential for better seating, better views and bathroom access”) or packing a wise outfit (“Wear multiple layers of clothing and bring things you can safely throw away”), Brown knows that all the things has to suit harmoniously for the trip to be successful.
Another essential tip for fans driving or flying to a show is a straightforward but often ignored one: Enjoy the experience. Just since you spent a small fortune on a wristband does not imply you are obligated to observe every performance. Take breaks. Pace yourself. “This is a pleasure trip, not a business trip,” says Brown. “Leave room for the unexpected – eat, drink, shop and sleep as you please.”
And listed below are noble properties like Rhode Island Hotel Castle Hill Come on in. Located just an eight-minute drive from Fort Adams State Park, home of the favored Newport Folk Festival (July 26-28) and Newport Jazz Festival (August 2-4), the four-star hotel has been welcoming music fans to its grounds for many years. After seeing performances by Hozier and Killer Mike, concertgoers head to spots just like the Terrace Bar and Mansion Bar, because the venues keep the energy going with craft cocktails and a neighborhood jazz trio playing late into the night.
“The city is very proud of [being welcoming],” says Brian Young, general manager of the Castle Hill Inn. “Over the summer, we get a lot of people coming here. They’re all here for a really wonderful reason. A lot of people come to the fair on bikes. They park their cars on the outskirts of town, ride their bikes in and just enjoy everything Newport has to offer.”
The Newport Folk Festival is at all times an amazing event.
Back in Zurich: Even though the Dolder Grand’s plans don’t have anything specifically to do with Swift, the hotel is a hive of activity because it celebrates its one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary and the seasonal reopening of vegan restaurant Blooms. “We expect our dining options to be busy during this time and recommend that travelers make reservations before arriving in Zurich,” says Schweier. “The Dolder Grand is delighted to welcome these artists and visitors to the hotel and the city.”
Swift will end the European leg of the Eras Tour on August twentieth in London. Afterwards she is going to stop by Miami, New Orleans and a number of other other North American cities before the tour in Vancouver in December. But even when Swift unplugs the mic, that does not imply the megastar tours will stop. Billie Eilish is on tour this fall and winter. There’s still a probability that Beyoncé shall be back for Cowboy CarterAnd given the rumors that Rihanna is returning to the studio, we are able to probably assume that the pop sensation will soon be filling the arenas again.
“Megastars like Beyoncé energize people,” says Carter. “You want to get out there. If you’ve forgotten how live music makes you feel, Beyoncé will remind you. She almost reinforces the need or desire to experience connection with other music lovers and your community. You want to do it again and again. It can definitely be addictive.”
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