Fans wrestle with concert spoilers as social media reveals tour surprises
Online videos are allowing concertgoers to see set lists, staging and surprise moments soon after tours begin. Some fans welcome the information as preparation, while others try to avoid it, prompting artists to vary performances or, in Phoebe Bridgers’s case, require phones to be locked away.
Social media is changing how audiences experience major concert tours, with fan-recorded videos revealing set lists, staging and surprises soon after opening nights. BBC Newsbeat reported that moments from Olivia Rodrigo’s Unraveled tour were dissected online after its launch. Tours by Harry Styles, Charli XCX and Ariana Grande have also been filmed and shared.
Some fans actively try to avoid such material. Aurélia Collins told Newsbeat that she adjusts her social-media algorithm and marks videos as “not interested” because she wants to preserve the surprise of seeing a show live. Other fans take the opposite view.
Georgia McAdam said online videos help her prepare by showing the stage design, set list and possible viewing positions. She described the material as a preview rather than something that removes the excitement of attending. Artists have responded in different ways.
The report says Taylor Swift used bespoke outfits and surprise songs during her Eras tour, while Sabrina Carpenter varied elements of her performances. Jay-Z has also changed his set list during his current run. Laura Snapes, the Guardian’s deputy music editor, said variation can benefit artists by giving them something new to promote each night.
TikTok data supplied to Newsbeat showed posts using #CharliXCX had risen by more than 40% since the singer began her Music, Fashion, Film tour. Phoebe Bridgers has taken a stricter approach, requiring concertgoers to lock phones and recording devices in pouches. Fans found violating the rule can be removed.
The report notes that even when audiences know the planned elements, unexpected moments can still preserve a sense of discovery.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.