Charli XCX Addressed Backlash About Her Taylor Swift Tour Comments in Pitchfork Cover Story
Charli XCX took to social media on Tuesday, August 6, and clarified a recent comment she made about touring with Taylor Swift. During an interview with Pitchfork that debuted on Tuesday, Charli was asked about her time on the Reputation tour with Taylor, and the answer she gave upset some Swifties.
In the interview, Charli said that she was “grateful” for Taylor allowing her to serve as the opener. However, she noted that the experience was different from her typical solo performances, saying, “As an artist, it kind of felt like I was getting up on stage and waving to five-year-olds,” she said. She went on to note that the experience had led her to decide that she would no longer serve as an opener.
Following the remarks, some Swifties questioned the meaning behind Charli’s words. “Imagine having the honour of opening for Taylor Swift during a stadium tour and then complaining about her fans - do better,” one fan tweeted. Others noted that Charli had a point, saying, “Could she have worded that better? Probably. Are people who love Taylor Swift music really her target audience? Probably not. She’s got her own sound & fans. Go kill it where you feel comfortable🤘🏼wishing you the best!”
After continued social media backlash, Charli addressed her comments in a note posted to social media. She noted there was “no shade” behind her remarks, and said, “Leading up to that tour I’d been playing a tonne of 18+ club shows and so to be on stage in front of all ages was new to me and made me approach my performance with a whole new kind of energy.”
After she posted the note, the Taylor Swift News fan account again pointed out that Charli’s audience is vastly different from Taylor’s, and tweeted, “She is used to headlining at 18+ crowded clubs with diehard fans who know every word, whereas on the rep tour she played to all-ages stadium-sized crowds where people only knew her mainstream singles. She did her best to hype up these crowds considering it wasn’t her usual target demographic whilst still staying true to her artistry. It’s admirable that she doesn’t feel the need to change who she is to reach a wider audience.”
In conclusion, whether it’s a performance from Charli XCX or Taylor, it’s clear that both artists want to give the audience the best show, while remaining true to their own endeavors.
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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
