BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Are you ready for it? This weekend, Indiana University is hosting a Taylor Swift academic conference.
Hundreds of Swiftie scholars will be studying the impact of the mega popstar including her songwriting, impact on the economy, gender, fandom, politics, music theory and even the friendship bracelets.
The event is organized by the university’s Arts & Humanities Council. It is currently sold out for both Friday and Saturday.
“It’s been very validating in that way to know that so many people are embracing it and are really excited to talk about Taylor,” said Natalia Almanza, the program and operations coordinator for IU Arts & Humanities Council.
“Taylor Swift: The Conference Era” is being held at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington, and there are about 30 scholars scheduled to speak on panels.
“We have one on feminism and sexuality. We have one on economy and tourism and the kind of crowd culture that happens around the stadium shows. We also have one about behind the music and what it means to write like Taylor Swift and produce like she does,” Almanza said.
Mindy and Jay Arnett came Friday morning from Tennessee, saying they couldn’t miss the event.
“You would go anywhere for Taylor, right?” Mindy Arnett said. “You feel like you are best friends, even though clearly she has no idea who most of us are.”
Even new Swifties like Sidney Eisgruber said you can’t shake off Swift's impact.
“Her entrepreneurial acumen just amazes me,” Eisgruber said. “She appeals to 6-year-olds to 8-year-olds and to perform for four hours without a break is just pretty amazing.”
The weekend will wrap up Sunday, Nov. 5 with a Taylor Swift Artist Market at noon at the Cook Center for Public Arts and Humanities, with vendors selling Swift-related items. The event is free and open to anyone.
You can find a full schedule here.
Swift is currently preparing to kick off the international portion of "The Eras Tour," starting with three dates in Argentina Nov. 9-11. The tour returns to the United States next October, with shows in Miami, New Orleans and at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Nov. 1-3, 2024.