Fans struggle to avoid spoilers on tour set lists via TikTok
Concertgoers are taking drastic steps to dodge social media spoilers as artists like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo change shows nightly.
Fans are manipulating algorithms and avoiding content to preserve the surprise of seeing their favourite artists live. Aurélia Collins, a 20-year-old criminology student and huge One Direction fan, spent weeks trying to trick her algorithm to avoid spoilers for Harry Styles' Together, Together tour over summer. She taps 'not interested' when videos come up, even though, as she said, "it hurts my soul."
Spoilers still slip through despite efforts
Even with precautions, fans sometimes encounter spoilers before shows, leading to disappointment. Aurélia Collins had been a fan of Niall Horan for 16 years before seeing him live in London. A spoiler about his show slipped through before her first time seeing him live on Saturday, leaving her gutted.
Artists are changing shows nightly, fueling spoiler culture
Touring artists are altering set lists, outfits, and staging, making each show unique but increasing the risk of leaks. Olivia Rodrigo kicked off her Unraveled tour last week. Over the past few months, tours by Harry Styles, Charli XCX, and Ariana Grande have been filmed and shared online.
Laura Snapes, the Guardian's deputy music editor, said artists change sets to stay in the press and that it will be all over TikTok. She noted that even if fans know the set list, staging and outfits, they will still see unplanned moments of humanity, like Taylor Swift blowing her nose at the Edinburgh Eras show.
TikTok accelerates the spread of tour spoilers
Platforms like TikTok are amplifying spoiler content, with spikes in posts tied to tour launches. TikTok shared figures showing a 40% increase in posts using #CharliXCX since Charli XCX launched her Music, Fashion, Film tour last month. Laura Snapes summarized the challenge: "You have to not look at TikTok." Some artists, like Phoebe Bridgers, require attendees to lock phones and recording devices in a special pouch upon entry to combat this.
Fans are divided on how to preserve the live experience
While some support phone bans to protect surprises, others see recording as essential to the concert experience. Anyone breaking Phoebe Bridgers' phone rule will be escorted out. In contrast, 22-year-old Olivia Rodrigo fan Georgia McAdam loves spoilers and calls them 'teasers'. She would not support a phone ban, saying recording at gigs is 'part of the experience' and she loves to know the stage design and set list. Aurélia Collins is not totally against phone bans but prefers spoiler warnings on videos so fans can choose to be surprised.
