Toxic fandoms, stan culture, and the dark side of music fans.
Where’s the line between love and obsession?
In this episode, we ask a few uncomfortable questions:
When did fandoms become so entitled? Why are music artists expected to perform like products, not people? And who’s to blame when fan communities turn toxic?
We explore the rise of stan culture, the role of parasocial relationships, and how online fan wars have created a dangerous environment where the loudest voices often drown out real support.
Why do fans feel ownership over artists? What happens when fanbases start turning on the very people they’re supposed to support?
And most importantly:
Should we still call these people fans? Or has the word lost all meaning?
This is one of the most pressing issues in today’s music industry, especially in the age of unparalleled access.
Read the full piece at SongsBrew.com, the weekly music newsletter that curates the best in sound, storytelling, and streaming culture.
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