At the core of Taylor Swift’s concerts lies an enchanting spectacle of devotion and camaraderie. Fans, affectionately known as ‘Swifties,’ craft handmade signs adorned with heartfelt messages and partake in the exchange of friendship bracelets that serve as a symbol of the shared experiences and bonds forged through her music.

The museum’s quest for a Taylor Swift superfan goes beyond mere fandom; it represents a concerted effort to explore the intersection of music, art, and contemporary culture. The chosen advisor will have the opportunity to offer valuable insights into the nuances of Swift’s fan rituals and memorabilia, enriching the museum’s understanding of her cultural impact.

This exclusive advisory role presents a rare chance for passionate ‘Swifties’ to leave their mark on the cultural landscape. Successful applicants will collaborate closely with the V&A’s curatorial team, helping to shape the narrative of future exhibitions and collections. From analysing the symbolism behind fan-made signs to documenting the significance of shared mementos, the selected advisor will play a pivotal role in preserving Swift’s legacy.

Applications for this prestigious position are now open and those interested in taking on the role for the museum can send in their application via the official website. Alongside Swift’s fanbase, the V&A is also seeking advisors for a range of interests, including Crocs, drag culture, tufting, and emojis. The museum has already engaged with a select group of advisors representing various niches, and these grassroots experts bring decades of collecting experience, providing invaluable insights into their specialist subjects. Among the appointed advisors are enthusiasts with expertise in Gorpcore, Lego, Toby jugs, and Pokémon card culture.

In other Taylor Swift news, the pop sensation recently announced her 11th album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ set for release on April 19, 2024. This announcement comes hot on the heels of Swift’s recognition as the biggest-selling global recording artist in 2023, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

As Taylor Swift prepares to embark on her ‘Eras’ tour, the V&A Museum extends an invitation to fans to become part of a legacy in the making. Together, they will illuminate the cultural significance of fanhood, celebrating the enduring power of music to unite and inspire. Apply now and be a part of history in the making at the V&A Museum.

Gracing streaming platforms last week, Swift dropped folklore on the 24th July 2020. The indie-infused album, which features collaborations with the likes of Bon Iver and Aaron Dessner of The Nationals, diverts from Swift’s usual stylings, which are deep-rooted in pop. Placing a sharp focus on instrumentation and folky guitars instead of preened, poppy production, the soothing folklore is a breath of fresh air from industry giant Taylor Swift. 

In its first week, folklore sold 37,060 copies in the UK. Following this mighty debut, folklore reaped 12,152 album downloads and 24,050 streams also within the first week, catapulting the record to the top of the UK charts. Folklore has now sold 2 million copies worldwide, as well as smashing Spotify records for first-day album streams by a female artist. 

Consisting of sixteen songs, folklore begins with the 1. A wistful look back at what might have been, the song reflects Swift’s past relationships, and the scars they may have left behind. Swift sings heartfelt lyrics like “Roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool/And if my wishes came true, It would’ve been you.”. 

Then you have cardigan, a vulnerable introspection that comes from learned wisdom. Swift’s angelic voice sings “A friend to all is a friend to none/Chase two girls, lose the one/When you are young, they assume you know nothing.” For track Exile Swift unites with the legendary Bon Iver, an emotive ballad that sings of love lost. 

The Nationals frontman Aaron Dessner, who co-wrote much of the album, discussed their work together during lockdown in a recent interview with Pitchfork. Regarding their creative collaboration, the pair kept in close contact during their respective quarantines, as Dessner reveals “We were pretty much in touch daily for three or four months by text and phone calls. Some of it was about production and restructuring things but a lot of it was just excitement. We both felt that this was some of the best work we have done.”

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cardigan “cabin in candlelight” version is out now

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Jul 29, 2020 at 9:12pm PDT

When elaborating on how their friendship began, Dessner reveals he met Swift on the set of Saturday Night Live back in 2014. Dessner recalled that “She talked a lot with my brother and me. That’s when we realized how much of a fan she was, and how lovely and down to earth.”

On the 30th June, the Bad Blood hitmaker released cardigan (cabin in candlelight version), a delicate reworking of the folklore original. Sharing to Instagram, the post gathered a whopping 1.3 million likes, reaffirming folklore as an immediate worldwide success.  

folklore is out now.