Dads Embrace Fandom at Pop Music Concerts

Fathers bond with their kids over shared love of artists like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Comedian Paul Scheer set out to capture footage of fathers at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concerts in Inglewood, California, expecting to find bitter dads chaperoning their daughters. Instead, he found a heartwarming portrait of devoted dads enthusiastically embracing their kids' pop music fandom. Across the country, fathers like Dave McCarthy and Christian Lopez are not just tolerating their children's musical interests, but fully immersing themselves, singing and dancing along at concerts. This trend reflects how Gen X and millennial fathers are participating more in their children's lives compared to previous generations.

Why it matters

Fathers bonding with their kids over pop music challenges the notion that this genre is a more feminine arena where heterosexual men may feel like outsiders. By attending these concerts and listening to lyrics centered around girlhood, some fathers are gaining a greater understanding of their own daughters' experiences.

The details

Scheer captured dads who had driven hours just to listen to the concert from outside the venue, fought for tickets online, and wore themed outfits and friendship bracelets, all to connect with their kids. McCarthy paired a gold, sequined bow tie and blazer with his Red Sox visor as a tribute to Swift's 'Fearless' album, which he and his daughter first enjoyed together when she was 4. Lopez was moved to tears watching his daughters and the crowd react emotionally to Olivia Rodrigo's song about body image insecurities.

  • In 2023, Scheer captured footage of fathers at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concerts in Inglewood, California.
  • In 2025, tennis player Novak Djokovic did the 'Soda Pop' dance from the animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters' on the court for his daughter's 8th birthday.

The players

Paul Scheer

A 50-year-old comedian who set out to capture footage of fathers at Taylor Swift's concerts in Inglewood, California.

Dave McCarthy

A 56-year-old from Worcester, Massachusetts, who accompanied his daughter Kate, 21, to a Taylor Swift concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts, wearing a gold, sequined bow tie and matching blazer as a tribute to the 'Fearless' album.

Christian Lopez

A 51-year-old from Carmel, Indiana, who attended a Lollapalooza festival in Chicago with his wife and two daughters to see Olivia Rodrigo perform.

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What they’re saying

“I went there expecting it to be these bitter dads, like, 'I don't like Taylor Swift,' but 'by Interview 2, I was like, Oh, I've misread this.'”

— Paul Scheer (dnyuz.com)

“His enthusiasm is very encouraging. It makes me feel better about being a fanatic Swiftie because he's not judging me or being like, 'Listen to someone else' or 'Stop being annoying.' He's fully in it with me.”

— Kate McCarthy, Dave McCarthy's daughter (dnyuz.com)

“You only get one chance doing this with your kid. My life has always been, since they were born, 'What are they doing?' Because I'm doing it with them, and I've enjoyed every second.”

— Dave McCarthy (dnyuz.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This trend of fathers enthusiastically embracing their children's pop music interests challenges the notion that this genre is a more feminine arena. By bonding with their kids over shared musical experiences, some fathers are gaining a greater understanding of their daughters' experiences.