Powerful pop stars are coming to the big screen. Real events, documentaries of their concerts are so successful that they compete with blockbusters.
A sea of arms covered in rainbow-colored bracelets moves rhythmically. Delirious fans dance in their seats and sing the lyrics to their idol, who struts around the huge stage in sparkly bodysuits and sexy thigh-high boots. While hundreds of smartphones light up the night like floodlights, it feels like a Taylor Swift concert for the duration of a video or selfie. But instead of the stadium, it’s in the cinema, in front of his tour film Eras Tour, Imax that this enthusiasm is expressed. Concert hall, cinema hall. Small difference. the experience remains awe-inspiring for any self-respecting Swiftie. The recording of the artist’s tour, released on October 13 in France and the United States, filled cinemas as much as the monumental “tour” with 150 dates on five continents, which the artist embarked on until 2024. The presentation itself. This filmed concert feels like a gift to the millions of fans left over from the tour’s ticket sales. “Ever since Covid, we’ve been thirsty for pop and live music. We want to go see stars, big shows.”
Young people go there to ‘be there’ and primarily to put themselves out there on social media,” explains journalist Sophie Rosemont, author of works on music and pop culture (1). The filmed concert was also a divine gift. Bringing the concert experience to life on the big screen “almost” as if we were there for the price of an expensive movie theater ticket. if the idea is not new, we remember. Michael Jackson’s This Is It – Taylor Swift Documentary Takes Record Earnings in Hollywood It competes directly with blockbusters, grossing more than $230 million (€212 million) worldwide and three sold-out days across the Atlantic. From pop star to 50 million records sold, Taylor Swift topped the box office in one week. And this, without advertising, with an incredible pre-sale of $26 million (€24 million) in just three hours of booking.
A real industry that comes at the right time
A pleasant surprise for film production. “This absolute victory is timely,” said Canal+’s Hollywood correspondent Didier Allouch (2). With the strike of screenwriters, actors, which lasted for more than four months, the releases of big films like: Sand dune there was an urgent need to fill the rooms. And we realized very quickly that it was going to be a hit.” A blonde tornado will even scare you The Exorcist : devotion. The horror film was scheduled to be shot earlier than expected to avoid head-to-head competition with the phenomenon. In the poposphere, the popularity of Taylor Swift, the Bruce Springsteen-dubbed singer-songwriter, is “on the order of the Beatles or Michael Jackson,” recalls Didier Allouch. Exposed to country music, he patiently knew how to build an empire with “a very clever pop twist, spicy lyrics, catchy melodies. (attractive, editor’s note) and a very paparazzi private life,” analyzes Sophie Rosemont.
Beyoncé has sold more than 35 million albums. WireImage for Parkwood
Only one artist seems capable of matching or breaking his record for a concert film. And, according to all observers, Beyoncé, the world queen of R&B pop, should win the day. After rocking stadiums all summer long to his voice Renaissance World Tourthe highest-grossing female artist in history, the savvy businesswoman has seen advance ticket sales for her own documentary; Renaissance Beyoncé movie (3)fly far and surpass themAvatar 2:! 1 even before its theatrical releaseeh The documentary has already collected $7 million (€6.45 million) in December, compared to a 5.5 for the second installment of the Na’vi people saga.
women are taking over
“If Taylor Swift dominates the United States, Afro-diva Beyonce is Queen B, who unites the whole world,” emphasizes Sophie Rosemont. Their striking power. “They inherited it from Queen Mother Madonna. artistic audacity, a certain charm of the spirit of the time, looks and performances engraved in the annals.” But above all, they are artists “feminine, feminist and business women at the same time. realize their artistic, marketing and commercial strategies from start to finish.”
“Who rules the world? The girls!”(“Who rules the world? Women”), as Beyoncé sang. And they proved it to the American economists. For the first time in history, three female artists: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Greta Gerwig, the director. barbie, with billion and a half international box office receipts, generated revenues that brought the country’s growth to 4%. Generally, because they are aimed specifically at a female audience. As Didier Allouche remembers. “Young women are the No. 1 movie theater audience in the United States. The sagas Dusk, The hunger games horror movies… Half the audience for superhero blockbusters too.
Studios know this and play on it. A film is successful if men go for it, but it is a victory if it attracts women.” Film and music. the same struggle to unite and exalt the multitude. We go there for the collective experience, to vibrate together and on a grand scale. Filling stadiums and movie theaters, Taylor and Beyoncé established themselves as the epitome of pop empresses of a new genre. girl power that they preach. Will they inspire other titles? “Look out for Billie Eilish,” Sophie Rosemont whispers to us.
(1) Girls Rock (Ed. Neal/Robert Laffont) and Black Power, the advent of black American pop culture (Ed. G.M.).
(2) Hollywood Weekly,on Canal+.
(3) Issued on 1steh December
Source: Le Figaro
