13 May How Far Is Too Far?
In 2016 nearly £4 million was spent on gig, concerts and festivals in the UK alone. With this number on the rise and a massive £4 billion contributed to the UK’s economy each year as a result of these music fans, it is usually only seen as a good thing for artists to go on tour. The fan base for an artist has always gone beyond the music and most fans like to get to know what the person is like as well as appreciating their musical talent, however this can sometimes be taken too far, the question is how far is too far? Although there are often stories circulating around the media about the crazy things fans do this usually isn’t that often. In fact, the term extreme fans details someone who is devoted and dedicated to their idol.
People who have spent obscene amounts of money to go see their favorite band or traveled great distances to catch a performance of their idol are described as extreme fans and although people don’t really see a problem with this it can be unhealthy for the individual involved. Fans that follow their favorite band on tour are some of the most devoted fans, up there with football fans, however besides the cost aspect of traveling to so many of their gigs it is also mental unhealthy for the individual.
A 2015 study showed that 48% of devoted fans were under some sort of a fantasy illusion, in which they believe at some point they would end up with the artist they are fixated on.
One of the main factors this percentage is so high is because of the use of social media, celebrities who have a high social media presence allow fans to get to know them on a more personal level without actually meeting. By constantly posting when and where you will be, it is no surprise fans will flock to these places.
I spoke to a mega fan to see how it has affected her life, after dropping out of university in her first year and working to fund her travels and go to as many shows as possible, ‘well I guess the term super fan is fair, so I’m a massive fan of Catfish and the Bottlemen and People properly don’t understand why I quit uni and go to all these gigs but I can always go back to uni. The way I see I see it is am only 22 and am having fun and if I was just traveling around Europe then it would seem normal it’s just because I’m following the same route as them and going to their gigs people think I’m taking thigs too far. It’s not a long term solution working and then spending it all on going to their gigs but for now I don’t see a problem with it.’
