Taylor Swift is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed artists of her generation, winning over the hearts and minds of fans around the world with relatable and catchy lyrics about love, feminism and nasty break-ups.

Now the 12-time Grammy-award winner is set to visit our shores for the first time in more than five years. And Swifitie mania is well and truly upon us, with millions of Australians trying last week to secure a ticket at her shows in Sydney and Melbourne.

The incredible demand to see Taylor Swift has led to a political debate in Canberra over where she’s playing, and sparked a national debate about the economic impact of her tour.

So what exactly does Australia’s obsession with Swift say about us? Today, culture editor Osman Faruqi on how a Taylor Swift concert can help us understand the state of our nation.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.