Some say it’s embarrassing. But as a ‘Swiftie dad’ attending the Eras tour, I felt the same rush as seeing Oasis in 1994This year, assuming I can get a ticket, I will be seeing Oasis on their reunion tour. I will be surrounded, I expect, by thousands of fellow middle-aged men lustily singing “You and I are gonna live forever” – while knowing some of us won’t even make it through the decade.Lately I have noticed that much of the music I listen to and the gigs I attend now have their roots in the past. I first saw Oasis when I was 23, and my greatest hope for this summer’s concert is that it might briefly transport me back to the 1990s. I saw Pulp in 2023 and it was incredible – but mostly because it brought back memories of seeing the band decades ago. The same goes for Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, who I saw last year. For my generation, gigs seem to function as temporary time machines that give you a chance to revisit the glory days.Sarfraz Manzoor is an author, broadcaster and ...
This Guardian op-ed by Sarfraz Manzoor argues that it's perfectly fine for older fans, even those in their 50s, to enjoy and attend concerts of contemporary artists like Taylor Swift.
Manzoor draws upon his own experiences, noting that he often finds himself drawn to concerts of bands popular during his younger years, seeking the emotional journey and nostalgia they offer. However, he acknowledges the same kind of joy and energy can be found in seeing newer artists like Swift, comparing the experience to the exhilaration he felt seeing Oasis in his 20s. Ultimately, he champions the universality of musical experience and the right for people of all ages to find joy and connection through live music.
This Guardian op-ed by Sarfraz Manzoor argues that it's perfectly fine for older fans, even those in their 50s, to enjoy and attend concerts of contemporary artists like Taylor Swift. Manzoor draws upon his own experiences, noting that he often finds himself drawn to concerts of bands popular during his younger years, seeking the emotional journey and nostalgia they offer. However, he acknowledges the same kind of joy and energy can be found in seeing newer artists like Swift, comparing the experience to the exhilaration he felt seeing Oasis in his 20s. Ultimately, he champions the universality of musical experience and the right for people of all ages to find joy and connection through live music.
