Why is Taylor Swift in Egypt Trending on TikTok?
The Egyptian Swifties have taken matters into their own hands! Bazaar Arabia explores the latest…
Move over pharaohs and pyramids because there’s a new sensation sweeping across the land of the Nile. In a twist that has sent the Midnight artist’s fans into a frenzy the pop icon herself might not be in Egypt, but her influence is taking over Egyptian TikTok. So, what’s the scoop behind this viral moment?
It all began when Sarah Raymond, an artist, and self-proclaimed “Proud Swiftie” put out a casual, quick-cut video on her account.
As Sarah moves and sings along in the video, a text reading, “EGYPTIAN SWIFTIES, would anyone be interested in coming to a Taylor Swift tribute concert, since she’s never really coming to Egypt,” appears.
At the same time, the catchy line “Do you really wanna know where I was on April 29th?” from Taylor’s immensely popular “High Infidelity” plays out in the background. It’s a call to action. It’s the fans taking things into their own hands, just as Taylor would.
To those unfamiliar with the artist’s devoted following, this may seem odd. However, in the Swiftverse, this is nothing unusual; scores of Swifties across the world have a unique way of expressing love; a tribute concert in her honour became the Egyptian Swifties’ love language.
What sets this event apart is how young Egyptian artists – inspired by their favourite icon – are taking this moment to not only celebrate the singer’s discography, but also build on their own.
Nouran Hassan, an artist who is part of a separate tribute band titled Anti-Hero, shares how her journey began, “I’ve been a Swiftie for as long as I can remember… back then, I was nine years old. I’ve also been singing since I was eleven. Fast forward to 2020, I started writing original music, became an independent artist, and then released my debut single in 2021.”
But finding the right audience for her music proved to be challenging at first, that’s until she connected the dots between the pop songs she was producing and the ones Swifties were consuming.
“So, in August 2022, I wanted to create a tribute band for Taylor Swift called The 1989-get it? and be able to connect with more Swifties and be introduced as an artist in the Swiftie community.” Ever since then, she’s worked on the concept. “Luckily, in October 2022, Taylor released Midnights, and in November, she announced the Eras Tour, and it was the kick-start to the journey that led me to Anti-Heroes,” she continues.
Nouran’s dedication to Taylor’s music and her desire to connect with fellow Swifties became the driving force behind her remarkable tribute concert.
Now it was time to plan the ideal event. “We wanted our first tribute concert to be near-perfect…” she explains. “July seemed like the perfect month. We can use it as a reference to cruel summer, and it’s the folklore anniversary month.”
The venue, too, is carefully chosen – Zamalek, an area in Cairo known for its aesthetics and accessibility, would prove a common ground for Swifties coming from all over Egypt and even other Middle Eastern countries.
The tribute concert has become more than just a fan gathering. It represents a cultural phenomenon, showcasing the power of music in uniting communities across geographical boundaries.
Arab Swifties from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and beyond have shown their interest and support, with Nouran expressing her excitement, “Imagine if Arab Swifties united; how awesome would that be?”
The event has sparked a trend in the region, inspiring other fans of the Speak Now singer to come together and organize their own tribute concerts, spreading love across the Middle East.
As the concert date approaches, the stage is set, the excitement is palpable, and Swifties are ready to celebrate their love for the 33-year-old American singer-songwriter, creating a moment that will be remembered for years to come.
So, as the trending charts on TikTok continue to explode, one thing is clear: Taylor Swift may not physically be in Egypt, but her music and the passion of her fans have certainly left an indelible mark.
We’re still waiting for our invites, but check back in with Bazaar Arabia for more updates on the concert!
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@taylorswift