In a recent interview with Australia’s “Everblack” podcast, OBITUARY frontman John Tardy discussed how the band has been successful in expanding its fanbase in recent years. He highlighted the growing diversity among their audience, including more young fans and women attending their shows.
“Dude, there’s been a noticeable increase in young kids and girls at OBITUARY shows,” Tardy remarked, as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET. “It used to be a running joke that heavy metal shows were just filled with guys. But now, all those guys are married with kids, and their kids are showing up. And we’re also seeing more girls, which is awesome. Our shows have become more diverse, and it’s been really great.”
He emphasized the importance of attracting younger fans to sustain the metal scene’s vitality. “Having younger fans getting into the music is crucial for the whole scene to survive,” Tardy noted. “It’s really encouraging to see. We’ve been fortunate with our new record; it’s been well-received and has opened up a lot of opportunities for us. We’re landing big tours like the upcoming AMON AMARTH and CANNIBAL CORPSE tour in North America for 2024. We’re getting great offers for festivals and other gigs. It’s a fantastic feeling and makes performing even more enjoyable.”
Tardy expressed gratitude for the band’s continued success and the evolving demographics of their fanbase, acknowledging the role of dedicated fans and supportive new listeners in their ongoing journey.
