Tour beginning - Why does Taylor Swift start in Gelsenkirchen specifically?
Glamour and Big Feelings in Gelsenkirchen: The visit of US-megastar Taylor Swift will do good for the image of the Ruhr region city, according to cultural scientist Jörn Glasenapp. "Taylor Swift is a major gain for Gelsenkirchen because through her globalization, openness, and inclusiveness, liberal values make their way in. That's something every city can benefit from."
An intriguing case among the concert venues of the "Eras Tour" is Gelsenkirchen. "Outside the USA, it's probably the least glamorous stop on the entire tour," Glasenapp said. As a venue for two major events this summer - before the Swifties came numerous football fans for the European Championship matches – the city has been in international headlines several times in recent months.
Who knows Gelsenkirchen?
US-talk show host Jimmy Kimmel joked that no one had ever heard of "Gelsenkirchen, Germany." "Maybe it doesn't even exist." The British football fan and vlogger Paul Brown, who came for the England vs. Serbia EM game, called the city a "shithole" (dt. Drecksloch) in a video. However, he later retracted his statement, praising the people and pubs in the city.
Nevertheless, Gelsenkirchen came in contact with glamour and glitz. Stars like the Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams, Pink, and Ed Sheeran have graced its stage. "The 'Eras Tour' is something quite special because of the worldwide attention it's receiving," said city spokesperson Markus Schwardtmann. Hotels and private accommodations in the city have been fully booked for a long time. The city is therefore creating additional sleeping facilities on the Pop-Up camping sites, which were already set up for the EM.
The city expects millions in earnings from Taylor Swift
Financially, the concerts mean not only an image gain for the city but also an earnings per concert that is difficult to estimate but could be between two and three million Euros, Schwardtmann reported further. "The ticket prices are not included in that."
The demand from national and international media and the hype on social media are even higher than before the EM. With many events around the three concerts (17., 18., and 19. July), the city intends to fuel the euphoria further. So, there will be an Open-Air party in the city center on concert days, which could also be interesting for fans without tickets. In "Taylor Town," there is, among other things, karaoke, a stage program, and a tattoo stand. The city began putting up "Swiftkirchen" signs early in the month. Swiftkirchen merchandise is also expected.
Swifties from all over the world in Swiftkirchen
For Gelsenkirchen as a venue, its modern stadium roof, and its location in Germany's largest conurbation with over five million inhabitants are significant. The largest part of the visitors is expected to come from NRW, neighboring federal states, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Around 210,000 fans are expected to attend the three concerts.
Some of them are taking much longer journeys to reach "Swiftkirchen": In Facebook groups for the three Gelsenkirchen concerts, Swifties from countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia exchange tips for the journey to Gelsenkirchen and call the city the "Dayton, Ohio of Germany." "People elsewhere in Germany have heard of it, but they've probably never been there and wouldn't take a vacation there." The city has a rich history, proud inhabitants, and "many small jewels, if you know where to look for them."
- Taylor Swift will bring her "Eras Tour" to Gelsenkirchen, a city in Germany, which has previously hosted the European Championship and attracted soccer fans from around the world.
- Following the visit of celebrities such as the Rolling Stones and Ed Sheeran, the city expects millions of Euros in earnings from Taylor Swift's concerts, with ticket prices not included in the estimate.
- Despite some negative comments from foreign visitors like British football fan Paul Brown, who called Gelsenkirchen a "shithole" but later retracted his statement, the city has a rich history and proud inhabitants with many small treasures.
- Gelsenkirchen has been described as the "Dayton, Ohio of Germany" by Taylor Swift fans from countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia, who are excited to attend the concerts and explore the city.
- Jimmy Kimmel, the American talk show host, joked about never having heard of Gelsenkirchen, but the city has been in international headlines due to its football and musical events, including Taylor Swift's concerts.
- Markus Schwardtmann, the city spokesperson, emphasized the worldwide attention and unique opportunity for the city provided by the "Eras Tour," with additional sleeping facilities and events around the concerts planned to fuel the euphoria.
