“Promote Local Artists Without Trashing Others. This is 2025!”

Taylor Swift broke all sales records after she dropped The Life of a Showgirl on October 3. But while more than 4 million copies of the album have sold, Music Editor Emily Ferguson suggested that this may be the first time that the majority of Swift’s (sane) fans aren’t telling negative reviewers to off themselves. Because The Life of a Showgirl is so blatantly bad, she said, there’s not much to argue about.

Wrong. While some readers do argue with Ferguson’s opinion of the album, many more take issue with the approach she took in her piece highlighting “local ambitious creatives who would truly benefit from your support” in an article titled “Ten Local Albums Way Better Than Life of a Showgirl.”

In his comment on the Westword Facebook page post of the story, Chris says:

We can push other artists up without trashing something tons of people are into. Post album reviews, not clickbait, eh?

Responds Jessica:

Haters gon’ hate…but they love to clickbait.

Adds Nicole:

Girl, this is not it. Promote local artists without trashing others. This is 2025.

The discussion got more heated on the Westword Instagram. Here’s just a sampling:

Crazy idea: there’s room for Taylor AND local bands.

Ask the local bands if that’s true.

They’re just doing what Taylor does now. We’re talking about a billionaire here.

Correct, but she’s still a person. This article claims to be about ten local albums that are better than Taylor Swift, and yet the photo is Taylor, the entire introduction and caption here have nothing about any local artists.

This screams an author who hates Taylor Swift.

Amazing. Writer needs a raise 👏

Thanks for highlighting local artists! It’s almost like there are people playing in our own neighborhoods we could support other than billionaires!

We can appreciate Taylor and celebrate other artists at the same time. The world’s already doing plenty of tearing down — we don’t need more of that from the media. Let’s raise the bar.

And in conclusion:

Nah, this is awesome! Comments are CLASSIC. There is nothing wrong with getting McDonald’s for lunch, or listening to Taylor Swift, or supporting any mega corporation….BUT OBVIOUSLY, YOUR LOCAL MAGAZINE WANTS YOU TO BUY AND LISTEN LOCAL.

What did you think of Emily Ferguson’s article? Have you bought The Life of a Showgirl? What do you think of the album? Post a comment or share your thoughts at editorial@westword.com.