Dad Who Ended Up Going Solo To Taylor's Eras Tour Becomes Ultimate Swiftie

2023 has been the year Taylor Swift reached heights even she probably never imagined.

Her recent crowning as Person of the Year by Time Magazine, which described her as "the main character of the world," comes amid the singer's continued success of her Eras tour. With 150 events spanning five continents, the tour is projected to generate close to $5 billion in consumer spending in the United States alone, bringing fans together from across the globe.

Over half the American population are fans of Swift and her music, with 16 percent of people identifying as "avid" fans—or Swifties. While about half are millennials and women, that's far from the full picture of the demographics Swift's music speaks to.

Dads Are Swifties, Too!

While social media is awash with footage from the concert shot by, and featuring, women and girls, one dad bucked the trend when attending one of her summer tour dates in Minneapolis.

In a video posted to his TikTok, he captures and documents his transition from a modest, unassuming attendee to full-blown superfan. The best part? His kids weren't even there encouraging him.

Greg 'Hutch' Hutchinson, a 40-year-old father-of-two from Minnesota, was having a pretty average day at work when one of his colleagues at the radio station where he works called to say he had two spare tickets for Swift's last show of the week. Even though back then Hutchinson wasn't a Swiftie, he didn't think twice before canceling plans—which should have involved a work event—to see the pop star live.

"My boss knew and he was super cool about it, that's the only time work would probably ever allow me to skip an event, to go see this amazing show," he told Newsweek.

'My Kids Were Super Jealous'

Hutchinson's two young children, a seven-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl, were dismayed they didn't get to attend. Instead, Hutchinson compensated them with a trip to the movies to watch the Eras Tour film, which they loved.

"After the movie, my son goes, 'You went to that?' I go, 'Yeah, sorry, but it was way past your bedtime.' They were both super jealous, but who wouldn't be? My co-workers were jealous too. But as the kids get older, we'll make sure to take them to the next tour."

If you were wondering what happened to the other ticket, it didn't get wasted. One lucky fan of the radio got to go with Hutchinson, on the condition they would help to document his journey to unlocking full Swift fan mode—which turned out to be a relatable experience happening around him.

"The funny thing about the video is that if you look in the background, there's another dad there, that is basically doing the same thing that I'm doing. He's slowly getting into it, and then by the end of the night, he's dancing just like I am."

The Connective Power Of Taylor Swift

For Hutchinson, the best part of Taylor Swift's show was her ability to bring all types of people together to enjoy the night as one big group.

"The performance was amazing, the sets were crazy good, the technology and the sound for a big stadium like that were amazing, but it was how she brought everyone together that probably had different political views, and different views on society. That was the most important thing that I saw during the whole concert.

"Everyone enjoyed themselves for one night and you didn't check social media, you didn't check the news, you didn't hear anything bad. It was just a cool experience, you just lived the moment. It was a great time, and even though I went alone, it was super memorable!"

While he previously appreciated Taylor Swift's music and respected her as an artist, after the concert Hutchinson has truly embraced the Swiftie inside him and now listens to her regularly in his car because he wants to, not just because his children make him.

"I'm a Reputation dad. I love that album, and so when she played Reputation that was my jam. That's when the dad moves came out very hard, but during the whole show, I didn't sit down at all. I stood up the whole show, dancing, and I've been to a lot of concerts but this one was one of her best shows that I've ever been to. As a single male dad, I can now say that I am a Swiftie and I'm proud of it."

'Taylor Swift Is A Great Role Model For My Children'

Hutchinson believes Taylor Swift is a great role model, which he says is "hard to come by these days." He's happy their mom turned them both into Swifties at a very young age and he is pleased his children follow and look up to the singer.

"I've always respected Taylor, but I respected her a lot more when she did her Netflix documentary and stood up for what her beliefs are, even though her record label and her father at the time said not to speak out about certain things. And when I saw that documentary, she said, 'No, I'm gonna do what I'm gonna do,' and I respect that."

Early in her career, Taylor Swift steered clear of politics and discussing social issues, for two main reasons: she didn't want to influence other people and she didn't think she knew enough about it, though she didn't hide her support for President Obama in 2008.

It was only in 2017, months before the rise of the "Me Too" movement, that she started being vocal about her beliefs, after winning a public battle against a former radio host whom she accused of sexual assault.

"No matter what her views were, to be able to stand up to an industry where your opinions don't matter, because I'm kind of in that industry a little bit, working in radio. You just want to try to appease everyone, and when she went against it, it was awesome to see her be able to do that," Hutchinson said.

"I would love my kids to be able to take some of her traits and incorporate them into their life as they grow up."

Top Bangers For Bonding With Your Children

Swift's relatable and catchy lyrics are undoubtedly a key part of her success. As Swifties will attest, there's often a song for every mood.

Hutchinson's favorite tune changes often, depending on what's going on in his life, and which song is more relatable to the different phases of it. When pushed, he named "Castles Crumbling" as his current number one: "The flow of the song and the lyrics are amazing."

But what about fellow dads, on the cusp of entering their Swift era, who want to get involved in the hype? Here are his top picks for tracks to listen to with your kids.

Shake It Off

"We sing it at the top of our lungs and dance to it every time!"

The Man

"It makes me appreciate and understand the struggles women have to go through."

Never Grow Up

"It will make [dads] cry. It will make them appreciate being a father that much more and the time they spend with their kids."