This is why we can have beautiful things. What’s really going on at Cardiff University’s Taylor Swift Society
Being Cardiff SU’s ‘Best Newcomer 2022’ winners, I had high expectations when attending the Taylor Swift Society Listening Party in 1989, and they did not disappoint! I knew they weren’t a problem as soon as I walked in, The Lodge’s empty space filled with swifties, from college freshmen to those who had turned 22. The friendly atmosphere struck me immediately, with everyone enjoying a night in 1989, singing and dancing passionately without their hands tied, waving loudly all night long. It was an amazing atmosphere, but don’t just take my word for it; here are some of the reasons their members gave why you should come and settle all your problems with them!
Photo by @tom.hughes.media
Why join?
Without fail, whether committee members or newcomers on their first social encounter, everyone I spoke to commented on the warm atmosphere of the company. It was not a place for bad blood, but rather a safe environment to party late into the night. Thanks to Taylor’s vast fanbase, many members have made great friends they would never have met otherwise, studying a variety of courses and living in different accommodations.
“You can be a diehard Swiftie or just casually enjoy her music,” was a recurring message, with all welcome! All in all, it’s a fun and supportive environment for like-minded Swifties of all backgrounds to “meet people and enjoy the laid-back vibe.”
After that cruel summer without them, the TS Society was back at the Fresher’s Fair, where they could be seen with a life-size Taylor cutout, an extensive collection of Taylor vinyl, and free stickers to put on your phones, bottles, or laptops. According to some of the newcomers I spoke to, the highlight of this stool was the mini-competition held to see how many Taylor songs you could name in a minute! Even if you missed their booth, don’t worry; they’re hosting a plethora of fun events coming up this year that you should attend!
What to expect?
Each week they host Taylor Swift parties at various venues, having also teamed up with Revolution Cardiff to offer their members drink discounts and even cover the DJ’s setlist. If those club nights aren’t enough to satisfy your party cravings, they’ll also host Taylor Swift-themed nights with YOLO, bingo and quiz nights, and plenty of karaoke! If you find that all this partying leaves you with little time to study, never fear, as the company also organizes study sessions for you to get together and study with your friends. You might even be able to go on a trip with the CU Swifties, because if the artist herself ever goes on tour in the UK, the company is keen to organize tickets for its members.
Iconic Moments
I asked their members for some of their most memorable moments in the company, and here are some of the best! Several members remembered their favorite moment as when the whole company came together in a “worship” circle to shout out the lyrics to the 10-minute version of “Too Good.” Others had fond memories of nearly a hundred people chanting “F*** Jake Gyllenhaal.” With several members pointing out the fantastic friends they had met, I even managed to meet “Argyle”, the adorable seagull that can be seen on Taylor’s t-shirt on his 1989 album.
Photo by @tom.hughes.media
Never ask a Swiftie for her favorite Taylor Swift song
If you ever want to see a Swiftie freaking out, just ask them for one of their favorite Taylor songs, with almost everyone surveyed struggling to name less than three they also liked. Throughout the evening it was clear that everything they said about the friendly atmosphere was accurate, with nothing but good vibes and potentially mild hearing loss from the volume and enthusiasm of all the songs. It’s time to go join them, after all, who wants to live forever when you can party all night long and maybe even find your love affair with the CU Swifties! Are you ready for this?
Photo by @tom.hughes.media
If the Swifty company is your end game, you can follow them on Instagram and sign up on the SU website.
All photos in this article and the cover photo were taken by @tom.hughes.media, a USW media production student.
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