Music
6 artists who treat their fans right
From Beyoncé to Dave Grohl, we’re celebrating the bands and musicians who look after their number one fans.
The old adage treat them mean, keep them keen doesn't seem to apply to music fans. Here are six bands and artists who have gone the extra mile for their followers, and felt the fan love grow in return.
Blink 182
Using a band's music illegally usually gets you punished. But in 2011, goofy skater punks Blink 182 rewarded their fans for doing just that. Their single Up All Night was promoted with a montage of fan-made YouTube videos that used the band's music illegally. A bit tongue in cheek, maybe, but better than a law suit in the face.
Lady Gaga
© Press
Lady Gaga
It's common for super fans to spend all night camping out for a chance of meeting their favourite stars. But how many stars reward said commitment with pizza? $1,000 of pizza, to be precise. 'I hope you're hungry… eat up I love u!', Lady Gaga tweeted to fans outside her Soho hotel, who were surprised to find their complimentary pizza customised with pepperoni spelling 'LG'.
Beyoncé
Imagine picking Beyoncé's Party as your track during a private karaoke sesh with your mates – only for the queen of pop to burst into the room half way through and join you. Beyonce was partying in Miami with husband Jay Z, producer Timberland and her Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams when they overheard a lively version over her hit single coming from another room.
Taylor Swift
Pop princess Taylor Swift spoils her fans like no other. In 2014 she even launched Swiftmas, studying fans on social media in order to send them personalised gifts. But her luckiest fan is probably one Gena Gabrielle, who was in the middle of her bridal shower when her heroine burst through the door. Apparently Swift couldn't resist the invitation from Gabrielle's mum, as she'd never been to a bridal shower before.
Taylor Swift
© Press
Example
When fans told Example they missed seeing him in small venues, the rapper responded by organising a six-gig, three-city mini-tour over one weekend. Best of all, 12 fans in Glasgow were treated to a pre-show trip to his favourite restaurant – Nandos. Now that's class.
Dave Grohl
© David Clerihew
Dave Grohl
Super fans are all well and good, but there's only one woman for whom Dave Grohl would move heaven and earth – his mum. Wherever he's touring, the Foo Fighters frontman famously flies home every year to be with his mum on her birthday. Except this year, when he's taking her and the whole family to Italy for her 80th.
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