When I wrote about pop stars being weird about music criticism last year, I obviously had to add their stans in parentheses. It was not a novel take by any means, but I would have been remiss not to mention increasingly bizarre fan behaviour that has made its way from the idol-worshipping corners of the internet and into IRL spaces, with people acting outlandishly at shows by throwing shit and brawling and what have you.
After opening for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and having multiple viral moments on TikTok, Gracie Abrams has absolutely earned herself some stans — and they're going to new lengths to act entitled. Abrams is embarking on a headlining tour this year, and it was announced last Friday (January 24) that the very cool alt-pop experimentalist Dora Jar would be opening for her shows in Europe. Complaining that they had never heard of her and that some of her songs are "slow-paced," a faction of Abrams's fans promptly started a Change.org petition to have Jar replaced as the opening act.
"We are perplexed as we do not recognize her, and with less than two weeks till the tour, it's virtually impossible to familiarize ourselves with her slow-paced songs," the description for the campaign, started by someone named Dexter Morgan, read [via Stereogum]. "For a memorable concert experience, an opening act should set the mood and get the crowd excited, but Dora's slow tempo songs may not achieve this goal."
The petition went on to cite some data from Billboard about how opening acts are important to setting the tone for the show, and that consequently a "more well-known, energetic band or artist should replace Dora Jar as the opening act."
Jar responded in good humour, writing on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, "Don't worry this doesn't bum me out! I'm hear [sic] to perform for all the music loving open hearted fans. those who aren't interested can go buy merch while I'm playing (but they might as well let me entertain them tho..;))[,] an overwhelming amount of fans have been so kind & excited," joking that she herself was signing the petition.
Abrams later commented on Stereogum's Instagram post, clearly exasperated — and confused — by her fans. "Just hearing about this absolute ridiculousness . . . so wildly uncool and bizarre and also just does not remotely add up," she wrote. "I've only seen everyone's total excitement and I couldn't be luckier or prouder to share a stage with this talented wonder. Stream everything she's ever made whether or not you're coming to the show. Dora forever and ever ♾️."
Props to Abrams for actually speaking out against this strange and totally uncalled-for behaviour. Note to her fans: there are actually, in fact, more artists that exist beyond those who have toured with Taylor Swift. Please take some time to process this.