Thank you
A huge thank you to everyone who followed along tonight. Thank you to everyone who sent us in tips and photos and lovely messages. Thank you to Taylor Swift’s team for randomly emailing us a bunch of new photos right in the middle of the concert – that was very exciting!!
As a reader, Amy, just put it: “I have such a weird combo of emotion and FOMO with each new update. I am FOMOTIONAL.”
We also are FOMOTIONAL.
And if you are coming to this blog way past its end, don’t worry – you can read it all again. <3
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And that’s a wrap Swifties (and to any newcomers).
Thank you so much for sticking with us through this mammoth first Australian show – we had a ball, hope you did too! Yes, I’m talking to you still here at 11pm.
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OH MAN. That last song was the energy we needed. I can’t believe that is over, and that I experienced it through someone screaming on Twitch. Here are some beautiful pics we just got sent by our colleagues in the chat group.
This from Sian Cain – she says the night was “spectacular”.
And this from Meadow Nguyen up the back.
Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen has just sent us this one. Spare a thought for Giselle, who has to file her review first thing tomorrow morning. You’ll have to stay tuned to find out what she thought.
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Taylor:
Melbourne I’m never going to forget tonight. You have been unbelievable. Do you have time for one more song?
Yes, we do Taylor.
And here it is, the last song of the night.
Karma!
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We found video of one of the most emotional moments of the evening – the first time Taylor has ever played You’re Losing Me live.
🚨| Taylor Swift performing "You're Losing Me" for the first time ever at today's show of 'The Eras Tour'! #MelbourneTSTheErasTour
— The Eras Tour (@tswifterastour) February 16, 2024
pic.twitter.com/SKmIv4ZN7V
She played this song after announcing the Bolter edition of the Tortured Poets Department, which has since magicked its way onto her online store.
File Name: The Bolter 🤍
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) February 16, 2024
Pre-order the new edition of THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT with an exclusive bonus track for a limited time on my website nowhttps://t.co/BAtr2MpPIs
📷: Beth Garrabrant pic.twitter.com/wSc9keZ1aZ
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I don’t know how she has the energy for this routine. I am so impressed and pretending we aren’t nearing the end.
We’re getting some lovely emails from people as we wrap up.
Nicole says “my daughter is at the concert and I’m sitting here in Kyneton hoping she’s enjoying her long awaited Tay Tay experience. She’s there with people she doesn’t know – my husband’s work colleague offered her a ticket after spending two days online and missing out like so many.
“She knows how lucky she is to be there. I’m sorry to all of those that missed out.”
Another reader, Christina, says: “Thanks to my 13 yo I’ve become a huge Swiftie. We warned her we wouldn’t try to get tickets due to the cost of travelling etc, but took her to opening night of the movie. We were all transfixed and singing along in that cinema full of young fans. I hadn’t felt so much joy in a room. Can only imagine how magic it has and will be for those going to the concert.”
She says her daughter has been updating us “all evening thanks to your blog … it’s a pretty special kind of infectious joy and magic that she spreads.”
We could not agree more.
Taylor is currently singing Midnight Rains. Four songs left. Argh. Here’s a pic from up the back.
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Crying and dancing along to a really bad quality livestream of Anti-Hero and pretending it looks like this.
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As the show reaches its final act, we’re thinking about Adelaide-based Shelley Roach and her daughter Morgen, 14, who missed out on tickets. Shelley decided to drive them the 730km to Melbourne so they could sit outside and listen to the concert.
When we met, the pair were sitting in the park around the MCG with their family friend Tanya. The decorated their chairs in Taylor theme.
Morgan said they tried so hard to get tickets – her mum almost ate fish eyes in a competition:
We couldn’t get tickets. We trained so many times. Mum nearly won a competition on the radio but someone got put in before mum, which was really sad.
She was going to eat fish eyes!
We didn’t get any of them, or any re-sales, so mum said, ‘Let’s drive out to Melbourne’. We stayed with mum’s best friend she hadn’t seen in a long time. Now we are here – we are going to enjoy the atmosphere.
They left Adelaide on Thursday morning at 6.40am, and because of the traffic drove for 12 hours to Melbourne, listening to Taylor the whole way.
Morgan said Marjorie was her favourite song.
It makes me cry every time I hear it. It makes me think about my grandma, she wrote it about her grandma.
I will cry a bunch. People might think I’m a brat sitting outside crying, that I’m not inside, but it’s just the song! The song is so sad!
She said she lives “everything about” Taylor.
She [has] created such a community. Being here, they’re so kind and everyone is making bracelets. There’s so many people here, and she did that. Nobody else did that.
I love that she is who she is and she is OK to say what she thinks. She’s great.
Maybe they’re still listening outside, as Taylor brings out a huge Lavender Haze.
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Our last era!
The final era of the night is saved for the album, Midnights, which could’ve been the entire tour if it weren’t for the pandemic (I mean I am really glad we just got 3.5 hours instead).
Midnights is Swift’s tenth and latest studio album (aside from her re-records) and the era she is living in today.
It’s sleepless nights, lavender haze, smeared lipstick, splashed wine, and of course, friendship bracelets.
For the closing chapter of the concert, Swift opens with Lavender Haze, then the lead single Anti-Hero, followed by Midnight Rain, Vigilante Shit, Bejeweled, Mastermind and Karma.
Let’s go!
Key event
Woah OK. Taylor has also unveiled “an alternative cover to Tortured Poets no one has seen. There is an exclusive song on this called the Bolter. This is called the Bolter edition.”
Here’s what it looks like – thank you to our woman in the room who took this photo while also transcribing all the quotes, Sian Cain!
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The best transition there ever was
After Swift performs the surprise songs, a hole on the T-shaped stage opens, and Taylor dives into it and “swims” towards the main stage. There are visual and sound effects simulating a swimming pool:
It’s truly a work of art.
This transition marks the beginning of Midnights, her last era. And I can’t believe we’ve made it.
Thank you for sticking with Steph and I.
Second surprise song!
At the piano, Taylor wants to talk about her upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department. “Basically I’m very excited for April 19,” she says. “I cannot wait for you to hear all of these songs. These albums – I think more than any other ... I needed to make it … For me, the things I was going through ... it reminded me why songwriting actually gets me through my life,” she says.
Now she is launching into a song she has NEVER played live before: You’re Losing Me. Giselle texts the group chat: “I’m going to cry forever.”
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Our first surprise song!
A drumroll please … we have entered the ninth era, where we pause from Swift’s album eras and enter a safe space for fans to be gifted with two surprise songs.
“Melbourne welcome to the acoustic session. I’ll tell you a little secret – this is my favourite section,” she says. “I get to have this moment every single day, picking songs for that particular crowd, and hope it makes you happy.”
First secret song is Red! Crowd goes wild. We are in the office bopping along to the awful live stream we found on Twitch (thank you for your service).
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A lovely reader Ali has just emailed us: “I’m sick stuck at home and my partner Nash is out with her friends enjoying herself, and this way I get to follow along and experience what she is, while she just totally loses herself in this incredible experience she waited SO long for and utterly deserves.
“I can remember how we had 20 tabs open trying to get her tickets, and how happy she was when we got them, like it was yesterday! Thank you SO much for this live coverage and hope you’re having the time of your life.”
You’re so welcome. Even though this blog is being run from a poorly-lit office at 10pm at night, and we’re suffering from extreme fomo and the after-effects of deeply average pizza, we do kind of feel like we’re there with everyone else? And it’s because of emails like this! Please keep ‘em coming: melb.eras@guardian.co.uk
Also Meadow just sent another great shot to the group chat, from up in the nosebleeds. I don’t know what kind of wizard phone she has.
More from the 1989 era …
This was the era of Swift’s high-profile “girl squad”, and her very brief but public relo with Harry Styles, which was captured in her single Style.
This album also really solidified Swift as a pop artist and won her album of the year for a second time.
Her music videos from this era should be enough to make fans want to see this performer live.
Here’s a snippet of what our Melburnians would be dancing along to right now!
Our official critic Giselle Nguyen says of the moment: “Forever annoyed at my parents for not holding off on creating me for another month and a bit so I could also be born in 1989.”
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For this era, Taylor needs those tassels again to do her iconic Shake It Off moves, so what better than to wear another Robert Cavalli outfit … but this time in a two-piece set.
This outfit has many variations of colours: magenta, bright green, dark blue. Will Melbourne be treated to entirely new colour?
Yes! We can confirm she’s in orange tonight.
Our official critic Giselle Nguyen has just sent an important update to the group text:
The guy she dances with in this song is so hot. Put in blog.
(Here’s the look in pink from earlier concerts.)
Era eight time!
My name is Taylor and I was born in 1989.
We are nearing the end now (OH NO), and only just getting into some of the biggest hits to date from Swift’s catalogue.
Please welcome the 1989 era, showcasing Swift’s first full pop album that landed into our Apple iTunes in 2014.
For era eight, we are treated to five blockbuster singles: Style, Blank Space, Shake It Off, Wildest Dreams and Bad Blood. HUGE.
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Surprise songs are getting closer
The moment fans have been waiting for … the two surprise songs are coming up very soon, so watch this space!!
First we have another era (coming any minute) and then two songs not on the setlist.
In case you’re new here, Swift performs two surprise songs from any of her albums, one on guitar followed by one on piano.
The last two surprise songs on night four in Tokyo were Come In With The Rain from Fearless, and the Midnights’ song You’re On Your Own, Kid.
Taylor has played You’re On Your Own, Kid four times during her surprise songs section of the concert.
Swifties have been calling for the song to be added permanently to the setlist because of the impact it has had on the concert experience/friendship bracelets.
I haven’t watched the Eras movie yet (saving it for my post-concert blues) but I’ve read that the song is featured in the film … so at least I’ll have that to cry/sing along to.
Tokyo’s surprise songs were:
Night one (02/07/24) - Dear Reader & Holy Ground
Night two (02/08/24) - Eyes Open & Electric Touch
Night three (02/09/24) - Superman & The Outside
Night four (02/10/24) - Come In With The Rain & You’re On Your Own, Kid
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Did not expect this but Taylor Swift’s people just sent some VERY special official pics taken earlier this evening. Direct into our inbox, just for you.
Please keep sending us photos, Taylor Swift’s people!
On stage she just finished Last Great American Dynasty, which involved a LOT of Taylor screaming, and is now singing August.
The outfits for folklore
Think of the cottagecore aesthetic that blew up on TikTok a few years ago and you have entered the folklore era.
Taylor usually wears this gorgeous look with ruffles and flares by Alberta Ferretti for this era:
The dress comes in purple, white or green during some of the more emotional parts of the show. My personal favourite is the green number, which she is wearing in Melbourne tonight!
I am so excited to see fellow August girlies dance around with Swift at the MCG tonight.
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Taylor Swift donates $100,000 to family of shooting victim
Taking a pause to note that Taylor Swift has just donated $100,000 to the family of Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a 44-year-old fan of Kansas City Chiefs who was killed this week during a shooting at their victory parade following the Superbowl.
The GoFundMe was set up on Thursday with a goal of raising $75,000 for her husband and two children. On the site, an hour ago, an account under the name “Taylor Swift” made one $50,000 donation and then, eight minutes later, a second donation of the same amount: “Sending my deepest sympathies and condolences in the wake of your devastating loss. With love, Taylor Swift,” the donation note read.
The donations were confirmed to Variety by Swift’s representative.
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folkore continued
In this era, Swift gives us seven songs, which is really nice.
Depending on how she’s feeling the first song of this era is the 1 or invisible string. Tonight Melburnians got the 1 – the sadder of the two songs.
For context: invisible string is known to be written about Joe (her ex), and how the couple were always destined to be together because, as she sings, “one single thread of gold tied me to you”. When the Eras tour started, this relationship came to an end, and perhaps because it was too heartbreaking to perform, the 1 has been subbed in: which is about a relo that could’ve been the 1.
The opener is followed by betty, the last great american dynasty, august (my fav eep), into the bridge of illicit affairs, my tears ricochet, and the single cardigan.
All these songs according to Taylor are works of fiction, with different characters and folktales. For example, the triptych of Betty, Cardigan and August all follow a storyline of characters who are intertwined by romance. They are intimate songs without being direct from Swift’s diary.
Here she is singing at a past concert for those watching at home xx
We just got the nicest note from a reader, Viona Fung.
“Thank you for your live blog of Taylor Swifts’ first Eras concert in Melbourne tonight.
Not having tickets to the concert we are creating our own Swift moments by following the set list in your blog and playing the songs at home. We are feeling the love.
Attached is a watercolour homage to the music icon of our century and the stunning Roberto Cavilli costume, painted by my ten-year-old daughter tonight.
We feel lucky to be a part of the Swiftie Era, even just from afar.”
Actually tearing up a little over here. Please keep emailing us, it’s bringing all the feels: melb.eras@guardian.co.uk
Era seven is here
It’s time … for the era that we weren’t anticipating but were hugely grateful for in the middle of a never-ending lockdown: folklore.
(This album was a massive pivot from her successes in pop and moved into a more indie, folk/rock genre. It was the first time Swift collaborated with Aaron Dessner of The National; first time Bon Iver’s hauntingly beautiful vocals made a guest appearance – a match made in heaven; and it was the first time her longtime partner (at the time) Joe Alwyn helped co-write some of the songs. )
Now it’s time to sit back and be taken on a journey through Taylor’s folklores.
Throwback to Taylor injecting some Aussie slang into We Are Never Getting Back Together.
YEAH NAAHHH#MelbourneTSTheErasTourpic.twitter.com/x9oZwLs1A3
— The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) February 16, 2024
This era’s aesthetic is basically plucked from her 22 music video from 2013.
Tay wears the famous T-Shirt (which lyrics change across different shows), donned with a Gladys Tamex hat that she gives away to a fan.
When it’s time for All Too Well (10 Minute Version), Taylor changes into a sparkly (yet again) long red coat, with ends dipped in black, and paired with a red guitar. All she needs is her pick and guitar: a moment of silence for this song.
I’m exhausted just writing all these different set changes and eras, imagine what it would be like to perform them.
Taylor Swift is superwoman.
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I just turned to a row of distinctly older blokes standing nearby watching, and asked who they are. “We’re the riggers!”
I asked, gesturing at the stage: “Is this very impressive?” One said: “It’s f-ing amazing, mate.”
Taylor has just given the hat to a little girl, and is now singing We Are Never Getting Back Together.
The girl looks so happy!
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There is a really special moment in this era where Taylor gives away her black hat to an audience member in the crowd during the song 22.
If you’re the lucky one in Melbourne, congratulations!!
🎥| Taylor Swift giving the "22" hat to a fan#MelbourneTSTheErasTourpic.twitter.com/FAwoIZWUew
— The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) February 16, 2024
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Era six ... Red!
Loving him was red
Everyone’s wristbands have turned RED!
Act six is the 2012 record where Swift started pivoting to pop, left her scarf at Jake Gyllenhaal’s sister’s house and wore that infamous “not a lot going on at the moment” T Shirt in her 22 music video.
For this era, Tay Tay performs banger after banger, starting off with 22, followed by We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, I Knew You Were Trouble, and All Too Well (10 Minute Version).
Absolutely screaming, crying, and throwing up that we get the magnus opus the 10 Minute Version – I was not expecting her to be so generous! But, alas, the fans did make this song huge, so we must be rewarded.
Claire almost started crying watching someone’s awful live stream of Long Live, which just finished.
Red is up next!
‘Some of the happiest people I’ve ever seen’
Here’s what all of this looks like from right at the back, courtesy of our colleague Meadow Nguyen.
Our sports deputy editor Jo Khan is on level four and “the energy is incredible. I’m surrounded by sequins and cowboy hats and some of the happiest people I’ve ever seen.”
THIS NIGHT IS SPARKLINGGGG ✨✨💜💜 #MelbourneTSTheErasTour #TSTheErasTour @taylornation13 pic.twitter.com/THnbQdkSUA
— sarangi⸆⸉ is going to eras melbourne! 💫 (@rangiclean) February 16, 2024
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Taylor totally transforms again for this short but memorable Speak Now moment, enchanting us all with a soft glowing gown, made by Nicole + Felicia Couture.
But if you think that’s beautiful, Taylor has also worn this stunning purple gown (shaped like a pastry) for this set:
And even this slightly different (to the first dress) Zuhair Murad Couture custom gown.
At least her outfits are giving variety for this two-song set. Excited to see what she wears for the Melbourne and Sydney concerts.
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Era five ... for a brief moment
The stadium has turned purple … welcome to the brief but beautiful Speak Now era.
I know she is performing for 3.5 hours but I can’t believe there’s only two songs from this era. At least they are two of my faves: Enchanted and Long Live (the latter of which was added on 7 July 2023 for the fans).
This is what our lucky Melburnian Swifties would be witnessing right now: a real-life dream Barbie in her Swan Lake era. I hope Swifties survive through this song to see the rest of the concert.
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We have our first official pics now from the Melbourne show, from
Joel Carrett at AAP. As a general rule, gig photographers are only allowed to take snaps of the first three songs.
Era #5, Speak Now, is up next!
Reputation remains by far Taylor’s most experimental album, particularly after the huge success of 1989. She moved away from mainstream pop and went with harder and harsher sounds, and even rapped.
[Please enjoy Don’t Blame Me, which she just finished.]
My personal fav from this album is Call It What You Want. I am surprised Getaway Car isn’t featured in the setlist – this became a fan fav from her last tour and from that now famous clip of her and producer Jack Antonoff filming themselves writing the bridge of the song together.
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Here’s a very sweet clip of Taylor reacting to the very prolonged cheer she got after Champagne Problems.
🎥| Taylor Swift reacting to fans' applause#MelbourneTSTheErasTourpic.twitter.com/Vq2z1SHgs5
— The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) February 16, 2024
She’s currently singing Delicate, and Sian Cain tells us “there are a few using the walkways to have a dance-off. Some very weary staff are watching them.”
In other news our pizza arrived! It was average.
Reputation outfits
Here Taylor switches it up massively again. Goodbye flowing dresses and hello almost-full-length black sparkly bodysuit, with red snake patterned sequins.
This is another custom designed Robert Cavalli look and I love it:
Possible Reputation announcement …
During the Tokyo night two concert, before playing Champagne Problems, Taylor made a little speech to the crowd saying the last time she had performed in Tokyo was during her Reputation tour.
This is a pretty normal thing for an artist to say and reminisce on but fans are now madly speculating the mention was a subtle hint that her re-record of the album could drop any day now.
Could an announcement happen tonight? I am keeping my eyes peeled for any clues.
Era four is here!
The fourth and baddest era of them all: Reputation.
After a big snake slides across a screen, Taylor launches into Ready For It?, which will be followed by Delicate, Don’t Blame Me, and Look What You Made Me Do.
This era was the last time I saw Tay live and I am being taken back to her black sequinned, dark lipstick, leather, snake era. Hisssss! She’s killing it.
Here she is at a previous concert for those watching at home.
“You realise how loud you’ve been singing all night,” she says. “I’m having such a crazy moment in my brain. This entire show. Like, ‘I get to BE here?’”
She’s introducing her bandmate Karina DePiano – who plays the piano, and yes that is her name.
Tolerate It is up now. Here’s more nice footage from the start of the concert!
“Melbourne, this is officially the biggest show I’ve ever played… all 96,000 of you” - Taylor Swift#erastourmelbourne #ErasTour #Melbourne #TaylorSwift #MelbourneTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/89WbSTQl8i
— Leon Sjogren (@Leonsjogren) February 16, 2024
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Have found some cute footage of Love Story from earlier in the night!
The entire MCG is VIOLENTLY shaking 😅😅#erastourmelbourne #erastour #TaylorSwift #Melbourne #MelbourneTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/C6GpsErUs3
— Leon Sjogren (@Leonsjogren) February 16, 2024
Champagne Problems
Champagne Problems tells the story of a couple dealing with a failed proposal as their family members pop the bubbly around them in celebration. Taylor actually collaborated with William Bowery (the pseudonym for her ex-boyfriend, Joe Alwyn) on this song and others during the folklore/evermore era. At the time, fans were stressed the song was about Taylor turning down a proposal from Joe but the singer had said both albums are works of fiction. Even so, marriage rumours surrounded that relationship and now that it is over … Well, this song kind of has a whole new weight to it.
In her preamble she mentioned her upcoming album the Tortured Poets Department and said “we’re gonna talk about that later”.
🚨| Taylor Swift at tonight's show of 'The Eras Tour' on "THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT"! #MelbourneTSTheErasTour
— The Eras Tour (@tswifterastour) February 16, 2024
"We're gonna talk about that later" pic.twitter.com/nSJY8SauqV
The cheers she is getting for that song are insane. Taylor looks genuinely overwhelmed and is tearing up. “You guys!!!”
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Taylor’s at a piano now: “We have a lot to catch up on don’t we. Last time I was in Melbourne it was 2018, it was the Reputation tour, so if anyone was at that tour, thank you so much. We love old friends. If anyone is here for the first time (big cheers) then I’m so happy to see you.”
“People asked me how do you plan on touring with this overload of albums? You see the issue you run into when you put five albums out in as many years – so I came up with an idea called the eras tours.”
We definitely thought she was about to announce something but it turned out she just wanted a chat. She’s now singing Champagne Problems.
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Side note: at one of her Tokyo shows, Taylor acknowledged a fan-initiated moment during the song majorie.
She said people putting their phone lights up for the song has “become a beautiful Eras tour tradition”. This song always makes me weep, and I actually can’t believe it’s in the setlist!
She just finished playing it.
Here’s some footage from outside the stadium, where people who didn’t have tickets were gathering earlier for a small sing-along.
A cruel summer when security won’t let you stand near the entry gates but also energy here is fire 🔥 #TaylorSwiftErasTour @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/kzHfZoNev4
— Lisa Grace Favazzo (@a_pale_olive_) February 16, 2024
Taylor swaps out the sparkles for this simpler mustardy dress, or as a Guardian staff member is calling “a trad wide mustard dress”.
It’s from designer Etro. She doesn’t need a spectacular piece here, just a beautiful flowing dress that she can wear while playing the piano and singing her heart out with the fans.
Era three begins!
One for the money, two for the show
I never was ready, so I watch you go
Act three has started and it’s evermore: Swift’s second lockdown album and folklore’s older, perhaps wiser, sister.
Swift released evermore just five months after her surprise album folklore (the album and song titles are all lowercase). It was written when she was in the cosy depths of her relationship with Joe Alwyn – all autumn, woollen jackets and braided hair. Some of her most poetic songs live on this album (think Gold Rush).
This era starts off with ‘tis the damn season (a song I pretend to live out when I travel six hours home) followed by willow, marjorie, champagne problems (on piano) and tolerate it (surprised this gets a spot).
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Lots of love happening in the nosebleed section!
From Sian, inside the show:
“People are going off for You Belong With Me. Taylor shouted: ‘Alright Melbourne, are you ready to go back to high school?’”
“Platforms are now moving up – she’s high and centre on the runway.”
And now we’re doing Love Story!
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Taylor’s outfits for Fearless
For this Era, I always think back to her 2009 Saturday Night Live monologue song where she sang: “I like glitter and sparkly dresses.”
By now, Taylor has changed out of her trademark bodysuit and brought back back her shimmery dress, with fringes and tassels. The main dress she wears is this custom Robert Cavalli dress:
But she’s even gone more daring with this look from the designer:
We will keep our eyes peeled for what she goes for tonight.
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What will the secret songs be?
One of the biggest surprises of the night is also not a surprise – Taylor will play two songs that are not on the setlist. She always plays two songs, so that’s not the surprise: the surprise is what they are, and she has rules.
Once she plays a surprise song she will not repeat it. Unless ... well, there are a few caveats:
She can repeat the song on the tour if she messes it up, which usually means fumbling the lyrics slightly
If the song is from her latest original album, Midnights, she can play it as many times as she wants
She announced at the end of last year that she would be “resetting” the surprise songs, so all the concerts she played in 2023 do not count towards the surprise songs of 2024.
Since there have only been three other shows this year – in Tokyo – there are hundreds of possibilities for surprise songs tonight.
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Era #2 begins
The second era is Fearless – and this is the Era I truly fell in love with Taylor.
I still remember buying the 2008 album on CD from Target when I was 12 years old. My mum took me and it’s only fitting that 15 years later I’m taking her to her first Swift concert in Sydney.
There has been criticism that Tay isn’t playing her self-titled 2006 debut album in the Eras concert (Our Song, Teardrops On My Guitar and Mary’s Song are so nostalgic for me), but Fearless was when she really did cut through to the mainstream with Love Story and You Belong With Me (which also infamously kicked off that Kanye West feud).
For this era Taylor performs the classics Fearless, You Belong With Me and Love Story.
(All I can say is my mum will be really happy with these choices – I on the other hand would’ve loved a little Forever and Always, The Best Day or Hey Stephen but there’s always the surprise songs.)
Here’s a snippet from a past show:
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“You can stay,” Taylor sings, smiling at the screaming crowd. And we have our first pyrotechnics of the night!
And now a costume change is happening so we’re about to head into our second era. SPOILERS PEOPLE. SPOILERS.
Pink guitar for "Lover" for the 'Lover' era tonight (Melbourne night 1)! #TSTheErasTour #TSTheErasTourMelbourne #MelbourneTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/dNbdtXrOvM
— Callie 🇨🇦🫶 (@taylorloverx) February 16, 2024
My name is Taylor and I’ll be your host this evening
Taylor is playing Lover right now, which would look like this …
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Lover is Taylor’s seventh studio album – the one where she was head over heels, wildly in love with her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn.
When we think of Lover, it’s the era of pastel pinks, blues and oranges, with songs about a golden lover, who is warm and cosy and who Swift would marry with paper rings.
Some have argued that it’s Swift’s most overlooked or underrated album/era. Lover was an absolute U-turn after the storm of Reputation – but it’s produced some of her biggest hits … ahem Cruel Summer, which absolutely blew up thanks to a TikTok rediscovery.
Side note: it also is the first album she released since cutting ties with Big Machine Records during that Scooter Braun drama.
Side note: she’s singing You Need To Calm Down now.
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“Oh Melbourne, look at you. I’m just taking a mental picture for myself any time that I’m sad. I’m going to remember all of this that I got to look at on Friday night in Melbourne. Just a few songs in, you are already making me feel phenomenal,” she says.
“You’re making me feel like I’m playing to 96,000 people in Melbourne tonight!”
That is a HUGE final number.
“You’re making me feel that I get to play a show to 96 THOUSAND people” - Tay before singing The Man #MelbourneTSTheErasTour 🥹 pic.twitter.com/g1tJ3oJ0fV
— Candelaria Bravo ✨ISO Miami TS Tickets (@candebravo13) February 16, 2024
People are going WILD.
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Spoiler alert!
Swift would be performing Cruel Summer now followed by The Man, You Need To Calm Down, Lover, on guitar, and The Archer.
For the Lover set, Taylor wears the crystal-embroidered bustier bodysuit that has become synonymous with the Eras tour.
The bodysuit is usually in silvers, blues and pinks like here:
But she’s also worn it in deeper shades of pinks and reds:
She then changes into a matching blazer and boots, either in silver or hot pink. She wore silver in her Tokyo show:
Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
Updated
Concert opens with Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince
Ahhhh the show officially opens with the first era, Lover, which just feels like a welcoming warm embrace before three and half hours of absolute pure joy and fun.
Tay’s opening song that she would be singing right now is Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince, which leads into Cruel Summer, of course.
Here she is! “Oh hi,” she tells the crowd.
Wow, guyssss let's go #MelbourneTSTheErasTour#TSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/UMJJxKJBtZ
— Melisa (@Blink_Melisa) February 16, 2024
And here’s what that looked like in Tokyo last week.
Taylor Swift the eras tour Tokyo 2024.#TheErasTourTokyo pic.twitter.com/A5DGUBuAY3
— AllAboutMusic (@22Allmusic) February 7, 2024
Updated
TAYLOR IS ON STAGE
Well, we definitely thought this was happening at 8pm but apparently NOT. She has ARRIVED and everyone is “standing up like it’s the national anthem” according to our insiders.
TAYLOR HAS ARRIVED #MelbourneTSTheErasTour #erastour pic.twitter.com/Jn7mmUgjOy
— Cass - TODAY🤍🪶 (@EOsLoveChild) February 16, 2024
If you are afraid of spoilers, GO AWAY! We are about to reveal the set list.
Updated
Another person in our Guardian group chat has just shared a quote from an anonymous security guard, who said:
It’s wonderful. I’ve worked [on] a lot of these things – Billy Joel, Elton John – but the way everyone has dressed tonight is just amazing. And everyone is being very well behaved.
Is the security guard a Swiftie?
Oh no, I think I’m a bit too old. I’ve heard a couple of songs and thought, ‘well she’s no Alanis Morissette’.
Fun fact: Taylor had Morissette join her on stage to perform You Oughta Know during her 1989 tour, and has said Morissette has inspired her songwriting.
THE TIMER IS ON.
We have a cool two minutes now to meet some more of the Swifties at the stadium.
Blair, 34, Sadie, 10, Evie, 8 and Candice, 39 are among them. They’ve come down from Brisbane. It is Sadie and Evie’s first ever concert.
“We’ve flown down and taken the girls out of school for two days so they’re pretty pumped,” says Sadie. “They’ve been learning all the songs over the last six months.”
All four of them love Swift – Candice even played Love Story at her wedding.
Updated
Will Taylor Swift surprise us tonight?
The Eras Tour follows a blueprint – right down to how Taylor introduces most songs, using the same phrases and stories.
That blueprint can be more widely analysed than ever before because of the clips posted to TikTok, and also the release of her official concert movie. Fans can track which parts stay the same across concerts and also pick up the differences – however minor.
There are a few moments the most devoted Swifties will be looking out for tonight that could be unique to this concert. For one, she likes to change the colours of her costumes, particularly her body suits and her flowy dresses.
She also does two surprise songs every night, with some complicated rules around which she will play – I’ll explain those later – but fans at the concert and all around the world will be waiting with bated breath to see what they are tonight.
Because it’s the biggest show of her career, there is also speculation she will do something extra, extra special. The most obvious gift to the audience would be the announcement of Reputation (Taylor’s Version), which she has been teasing for months. Speculation reached fever pitch that she would announce it on the night of the Grammy’s, but she did something even more shocking and announced the release date of an entirely new album.
It would make sense to announce Reputation TV, and not in order to put fans out of their wild-theories misery. As Guardian deputy music editor Laura Snapes noted last year, the re-release project is starting to feel “a little wearying and pointless”, so to drop it with an exciting announcement and then quickly move on to her new music release seems prudent.
She’s on at 8pm! That’s so soon!
Updated
We got another missive from a fan, Scott!
“I’m at MCG,” he writes. “Apparently boyfriends of Swifties attending the concert are required to wear Kansas Chief shirts. I assume there is a need to assert their cis-ness. I on the other hand feel the need to assert my sissy-ness.”
We love you Scott!
This feels like a good time to call out my colleague Claire Keenan, who rocked up to her shift like this:
Updated
Sabrina Carpenter finishes her set. Next stop: Taylor Swift
One person in the Guardian group chat has assessed it as “fine”; another says the Olivia Newton-John cover was the highlight, but mainly because “I don’t know a single song of hers”.
In more exciting news, someone has already uploaded the outro to Nonsense (the part she changes for every performance/city).
🚨| Sabrina Carpenter “Nonsense” outro (Melbourne, Australia Night 3) 💌#TSTheErasTour #MelbourneTSTheErasTour
— The Eras Tour (@tswifterastour) February 16, 2024
“D-I-C-K I am good at spelling
Tastes so good I need a second helping
Aren’t you glad I know how to say Melbourne?”
pic.twitter.com/wROpuAY2Ax
Taylor Swift on at 8pm! What should we order for dinner??? Send us ideas at melb.eras@guardian.co.uk
Updated
Has Taylormania surpassed Beatlemania?
John emailed the Guardian just now with this beautiful note:
I am in my 70s. Two years ago I had scarcely heard of Taylor Swift. Now here I am following your blog of her Melbourne concert. It is very moving. I hope all these wonderful young people have a magnificent time. I haven’t had this much fun since the Beatles in the 60s. It was easier to get tickets then.
You can also send us your thoughts on: melb.eras@guardian.co.uk
Cute video from the fans
Dressing for a Taylor Swift concert is no easy feat. The concert is a journey through all Swift’s musical eras, broken up among her 10-album discography, and as we explained earlier, each “era” demands a very specific dress code.
Tisha Aisyah Afliansh says as a recently engaged Taylor Swift fan she had no choice by to encompass the Lover era.
“I just found this [dress] in H&M, but this has Lovers colours. And also matching rings and necklace; love, love.”
Sarah Allsopp recreated the You Need to Calm Down music video, with fake butterfly tattoos on her back. After a quick YouTube search and little dance, I can confirm Swift sports the same back tattoo in the film clip. Guardian fact-checking at it’s finest right there.
Bree Leitch went one step further and got a snake tattoo on her arm “for the concert”. And yes, it’s real.
Updated
We’re getting some good Twitter/X footage, which bodes well for reception!
Here is Sabrina Carpenter performing Vicious.
🪩| Sabrina Carpenter performing ‘Vicious’ on stage today.#MelbourneTSTheErasTour
— Sabrina Daily Updates (@SCdailyupdates) February 16, 2024
pic.twitter.com/sU3nZL347c
And here’s that Olivia cover:
SABRINA CARPENTER SINGING HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU SHES AN HONORARY AUSSIE ALREADY pic.twitter.com/RCEYU6Sls3
— ad (@goslingsfilms) February 16, 2024
Updated
Crowds are filling the stadium now while Sabrina performs. She’s doing a cover of Hopelessly Devoted to You, in honour of Olivia Newton-John.
Here’s one of Sabrina’s hit songs, Nonsense.
Updated
Apparently Sabrina just said “Australians are so hot”, which, true.
In other news, our Guardian group chat is popping off!
Sian said earlier:
The vibes are very calm! It’s like the opposite of a sport game.
Even the cops have bracelets on.
I expect this has changed now that the concert has started.
Matilda shared a pic of the free light-up bracelets she’s secured:
Sian shared her girl dinner pre-concert:
And our colleague Meadow Nguyen got a Tay Tam!
Sabrina Carpenter takes the stage
Oooh here she is!
SABRINA SLAYINGGGG 🫶🏻🫶🏻 #MelbourneTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/DL6FlNe5YA
— andie 🧣TAYLOR TODAY (@pandieex) February 16, 2024
And here:
📹| @SabrinaAnnLynn's entrance to #MelbourneTSTheErasTour (Night 1) 🇦🇺pic.twitter.com/UPg7Wpm33v
— Sabrina Carpenter All-News 💌 (@SCANews_) February 16, 2024
Updated
What to expect from Sabrina Carpenter’s set?
We are told there was “just an announcement and some cheers” from within the stadium, indicating Sabrina Carpenter is on stage.
Carpenter’s hit songs are Feather and Nonsense, so they will definitely get a run – but Nonsense has its own moment to watch out for: each time she plays it live she adds a few city-specific (and usually sexually explicit) lines to the outro.
For example:
“I just wanna ride him like a rodeo / But first he gotta grow it like Pinocchio / Sorry I’m so vulgar, San Antonio.”
In fact, they got so raunchy that her performance on BBC’s Live Lounge was taken off YouTube shortly after being uploaded, and was promptly replaced with a version cutting abruptly before the outro.
Luckily we have no such qualms – she sang:
“I’m American I am not British / So BBC it stands for something different / This live lounge is just so lit because I’m in it.”
It’s a savvy trick that means each time she plays you can be sure hundreds of videos will be uploaded by fans. Now a viral sensation, she was quickly snapped up by Swift to open for her during the international leg of her tour – and since her first Eras slot, she’s established another TikTok-able moment: a small dance section of the song Feather.
bendito seja o dia que a Sabrina Carpenter acordou e pensou "e se eu der um chute quando eu cantar I slam the door em feather" ela não sabia que estaria mudando vidas com isso pic.twitter.com/v1uN2URyLK
— bel (@chmpgrl) November 25, 2023
Updated
Who is Sabrina Carpenter?
We’re ten minutes from the scheduled start time for Sabrina Carpenter’s opening set. We all know Swift’s 2016 villain arc (the Kanye West video) and redemption story (arguably the Lover era), but did you know that Carpenter has been through this public-opinion hero’s journey too?
The US pop star started off on the Disney Channel, playing Maya Hart on Girl Meets World. She put out a few songs during her stint on the show, and was liked well enough, but it was a different Disney star that threw Carpenter into the public eye: Olivia Rodrigo, whose hit debut album Sour was almost definitely about her breakup from Joshua Bassett, who, according to the album at least, began dating another girl VERY shortly after their split.
The hints in the lyrics of Rodrigo’s songs hint at who that girl could have been: Sabrina Carpenter, seen hanging out with Bassett in the months after the breakup – and who suffered the wrath of the internet as a result.
Luckily, she’s very funny – and as the initial wave of hate died down, she started winning people over on social media with posts like this.
And here she is meeting fans at Melbourne airport – and receiving her first koala.
Updated
What’s everyone wearing?
For the Eras tour, Swifties are spoilt for choice over which era they want to dress up in. Fearless girlies have the cowboy hats and gold sparkly dresses, Folklore girlies can wear anything flowing and cottage-core inspired, and fans of Midnights are opting for navy and stars (and anything bejewelled).
And if you’re still stuck here’s a mood board from the Eras queen herself:
Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour, Complete Outfits 2023 ✨ pic.twitter.com/shGITT7jJh
— Taylor Swift Facts (@blessedswifty) March 18, 2023
Don’t forget to send us your thoughts/selfies/comments/general vibe: melb.eras@guardian.co.uk
Updated
The lengths Swifties have gone to be at the Melbourne concert tonight …
Swifties went to great lengths to get here today! - and it seems like it was very worth it 🥰 @GuardianAus @theclairekeenan pic.twitter.com/brT38W6QWZ
— Lisa Grace Favazzo (@a_pale_olive_) February 16, 2024
If you want to send us fun facts/pics/a lot of emotions, hit us up at melb.eras@guardian.co.uk
Rebecca, 30, and Dana, 27, forked out for VIP seats tonight and have just emerged from the merch queue – “it’s not that bad, we only waited for 40 minutes”.
“We’re in the Lover era,” Rebecca explains. “We wanted something pink but very practical as she [Dana] is pregnant and I’ve just had a baby. So free-flowing, but with a heart bumbag to give us a waist. Cute but practical.”
Also – this cute tweet!
“We said yes!” - Three mates living in different cities, all recently engaged, celebrating together at the #TaylorSwiftErasTour! My heart 🥰 @GuardianAus @theclairekeenan pic.twitter.com/oqdlKqFJqL
— Lisa Grace Favazzo (@a_pale_olive_) February 16, 2024
Updated
What are the different eras – and how to dress for them?
Now we are inching our way closer to the actual concert, let’s talk about the different “Eras” Taylor will be performing tonight.
The concert is a journey through all her musical eras, broken up among her 10-album discography (excluding her re-recorded albums).
We have jumbled them up back into their chronological order, so to not spoil the setlist order. Although if you are worried about spoilers you should tune out preeeetttttyyyyy soon.
Fearless. This era encapsulates Taylor’s early days as a country singer and songwriter, featuring songs from her 2008 album that put her on the map.
The look: sparkly dresses, cowboy boots, curly hair, pleated skirts.
Speak Now. Speak Now is Taylor’s third album released in 2010. She wrote the entire album.
The look: purple vintage dresses, headbands, 13s on your hand (Tay’s fav number)
Red. Taylor’s 2012 record is a fun time.
The look: high-waisted shorts, red, white and black t-shirts, red lipstick.
1989. Taylor’s fifth and arguably biggest album: hit after hit, which was really how it felt to be a Swiftie, watching Tay shine in 2014.
The look: set pieces, ankle boots, sequinned bomber jackets, white sunglasses, red lipstick.
Reputation. In 2017 Taylor released her sixth studio album that sent some Swifties in tailspin. I grew to love this era, and loved seeing her perform this album live.
The look: black leather jacket, fishnet tights, sparkly red, burgundy lipstick.
Lover. Taylor’s seventh studio album, Lover was released in 2019.
The look: pastel tie-dye tees, butterflies, temporary hair dye, anything pink with hearts!
folklore. This lowercase era is for Taylor’s first lockdown album in 2020.
The look: cardigans, cottage-core, flowery dresses, ruffled Victorian blouses.
evermore. Her second lockdown album, released in 2020, similar vibe.
The look: plaid check coat, turtle necks, sweater vests, braided hair.
Midnights: This is the era we are living right now. Midnights is Swift’s tenth and latest album.
The look: navy blue, purple fluffy coat, stars, blue glittery eyeshadow.
It’s no wonder people have likened this concert to a broadway musical.
Updated
Sydney concerts will go ahead despite asbestos concerns
The New South Wales environment minister has sought to assure Taylor Swift fans that the pop star’s Sydney concerts will go ahead next weekend, amid an asbestos scare at the precinct where she’s due to perform.
On Friday, the day after a special taskforce was launched to aid investigations into sites where mulch containing asbestos may be present, testing was conducted at a location at Sydney Olympic Park, where Swift is set to perform to hundreds of thousands of fans over several concerts.
Testing occurred on mulch on a median strip on a divided road on Friday, in a spot understood to be away from where the public would be expected to cross when going to Stadium Australia, where Swift will perform.
No traces of asbestos were found on Friday, and a backup test is being conducted as a precaution, NSW environment minister Penny Sharpe said on Friday afternoon.
If the follow up test finds traces of asbestos, the mulch will be removed in time for Swift’s concerts, Sharpe said.
Sharpe said:
This will not stop Taylor Swift performing in Sydney.
Sydney Olympic Park Authority is inspecting mulch that came from the supply chain under investigation, that has been used on a median strip on a divided road.
We are testing samples but, regardless, we can remove the mulch and remediate before Taylor Swift takes to the stage in the Harbour City.
Updated
Walking into the MCG, our correspondent Sian Cain had to stop Blessing, 28, and Praise, 24, two sisters who have amazing outfits corresponding to their favourite Swift albums.
“I can’t wait. If I think about it too much, I might start crying,” said Praise, whose favourite era is Midnights.
“I can’t wait,” says Blessing (favourite eras: Folklore and Red).
Meanwhile, our reviewer Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen has made it into the MCG – and whoever sorted her ticket deserves some kind of prize. We are all insanely jealous.
Updated
‘Swifties are the kindest kids you’ll ever meet’
Guardian reader Lerna has sent an email to our tip line – melb.eras@guardian.co.uk – telling us her daughters will be reading this blog. That’s a lot of pressure!
My 16-year-old daughter and her bestie will be following along. They are massive Swifties but no matter how hard we tried we weren’t successful on getting tickets so they’re together tonight following the blog.
Swifties are the kindest kids you’ll ever meet and we all wish everyone attending tonight and over the weekend the absolute best time! Tay Tay is The. Best. Role Model!!!”
Another reader Ed has sent in this delightful pic. “My daughter Elly and her friends are seated, excited and thrilled.”
The joy. THE JOY!!!
Updated
‘The best thing since sliced bread’
We have Guardian’s video whizz turned Swifty correspondent Lisa Favazzo on the ground armed with an iPhone and boom microphone, speaking with excited fans.
Sendhil Rungasamy and Urva Patel travelled all the way from New Zealand to Melbourne to see T-Swift. They were so busy saving up for the travel costs they didn’t have time to make friendship bracelets.
“You can’t miss the Eras tour ... it’s the best thing since sliced bread,” said Rungasamy.
“We were working full-time to save up for the trip, one of our friends gave us this (the bracelet).”
Julie Cameron told Favazzo she’d been a fan of Swift since “she was in country”.
“She’s such a good role model for the younger girls. She’s just an amazing person all round.”
Updated
Venue being tested for asbestos prior to Sydney shows
To sidestep from Melbourne for a moment:
The Daily Telegraph has reported that Sydney’s Olympic Park will be tested for asbestos this weekend, ahead of Taylor Swift’s concerts next week.
The news comes amid an expanding asbestos investigation happening across Sydney.
A government source told the DT that the testing is proactive. The exact location is yet to be confirmed.
Taylor is set to perform four shows at Olympic Park on Friday 23, Saturday 24, Sunday 25 and Monday 26 February. About 320,000 fans are expected to be at Olympic Park for the Eras concert and a Blink-182 show, per the DT.
More to come …
Updated
MCG turf to ‘lose two-thirds’ ahead of men’s AFL season
It’s the start of the men’s AFL season just a few weeks away, some are wondering what mark three Taylor Swift concerts and nearly 300,000 fans will leave on the hallowed ground.
Very understandable, given last year Ed Sheeran’s team reportedly spent $1.5m replacing the turf after his two record-breaking performances eight days before round one.
Footy supporters can breathe a sigh of relief though: this morning the chief executive of the Melbourne Cricket Club, Stuart Fox, said the process for replacing the turf in time for the footy season will be much the same as it was after Sheeran’s visit.
“This will be the biggest impact we’ve ever had on our turf, this concert, and that’s obviously because of the overlay on the turf, so we actually will lose around two-thirds of the turf,” Fox told 3AW.
“We’ve got a contract with a turf farm off-site, we’ve got 12,000 square metres of turf coming in next Tuesday once the bump-out’s complete and that is all replaced. It’s a huge impact, about a 12-day job to get it ready for round one [of the AFL].”
There was some criticism from players and coaches after AFL round one last year that the field wasn’t up to scratch – but it did pass all preseason checks and the replacement process was deemed a worthwhile success.
And never mind grand final day, Fox said the buzz around the city and the stadium in recent days was unprecedented.
“I’ve not seen a buildup like it before at the ’G. Logistically very challenging, but the hype and buildup has been incredible, particularly from the fans.”
In case you were wondering, Swift will be kicking towards the Punt Road end of the ground.
🚨| The stage for Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Melbourne Cricket Ground barely covers half the length of the stadium! #MelbourneTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/zUN0M8ZSQj
— The Eras Tour (@tswifterastour) February 15, 2024
Updated
‘We are close to the stage so wanted to draw attention’
So. Many. Sequins.
Dani and Lily are in row six. Lily said it was “pure luck! We waited so many hours. We joined the queue at the start and we didn’t get on till 7-8pm.”
The pair are dresses as mirror balls from the era/album folklore.
We wanted to be as sparkly as possible,” Dani said. “We are close to the stage so we wanted to draw as much attention. As selfish as that is!
I am most excited for the first few moments of seeing Taylor. It’s been six years since the last tour and it’s going to be incredible to see her up close and personal again.
Updated
People are inside!
People are now posting from INSIDE the stadium – with Sabrina Carpenter due to come on at 6.30PM AEDT. More on her later – but for now, some first looks:
in my bejeweled era✨ #MelbourneTSTheErasTour @taylornation13 pic.twitter.com/oXybCbrBiN
— emily grace✉️🕯️🪶 eras melb + syd (@emily_grace8913) February 16, 2024
ITS ME, HI, IM THE PROBLEM ITS ME @taylornation13 @taylorswift13 #MelbourneTSTheErasTour #TSTheErasTourMelbourne pic.twitter.com/oY2OopphKf
— ally ( taylor's version ) 💜✨🦋🌜✨ melb n1 (@taylorslore) February 16, 2024
The queues. They are long.
Updated
‘I was making bracelets for Blink-182’
Back outside the MCG, Millie, Pierre, MacKenzie, and Liana have just met and are trading bracelets.
Pierre and Millie are self-described “Swemos”. Swemos, for the uninitiated, are emos (think Paramore/Fall Out Boy) who also love Taylor.
The pair have been making bracelets since tickets were released, and have brought with them a whole bag to trade.
“We got Taylor Swift tickets and then we were like, ‘Excellent, we have gained a hobby’,” Millie says.
“We’ve been doing it for eight months,” Pierre says.
Millie says after tonight, they are just going to keep making them. “We had a Blink-182 show last week, I was making bracelets for Blink … Just every event, we are like, ‘Oh – a bracelet!’”
Like many fans, MacKenzie thought they had possibly missed out.
“I was in the hospital when I got them, I managed to get accessible seats when I was in there. They called the day after – I thought we had no chance, and now we are here!”
Updated
The TayTay academics who descended on Melbourne
Melbourne is by no measure playing it cool that Swift is in town (see: Flinders Street Station all lit up). But earlier this week the University of Melbourne also hosted a “Swiftposium”: an academic symposium dedicated to all things Swift.
More than 400 papers were submitted by academics from around the world, working in fields as varied as economics and gender studies.
Studies presented at the Swiftposium included: the impact of the Eras tour on cities, with politicians sometimes begging Swift to tour in their towns in order to see a corresponding economic boom; how her music is being used in CPR training; how Australian politicians have used Swift references to appear relatable; and even an analysis of how public transport is mentioned in her lyrics (which reportedly found that, as her private jet use has increased, so have the references to trains and buses).
Read more here:
Updated
Swifties gather for largest show of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour to date at the MCG
Updated
‘I am proud of her’
Chris, who is dressed as Reputation, is currently outside the MCG waiting for his friends. He’s been to see every Taylor tour she has done in Melbourne.
I wore the same outfit to the Reputation tour. I’ve seen every tour, I saw her when she was at Billboard in Russell Street, and now she’s at the MCG.
This was a lot harder to get tickets to, but I think it will be her best one yet,” he said.
I think she’s just come into her own, I feel like she’s at the peak of her career, I don’t think it’ll drop anytime soon but it’s just a celebration of all her eras and the hard work she’s put into her music.
I am trying to be calm, but I am so excited. I am proud of her – she’s awesome.
Updated
Will Travis Kelce show?
Are the rumours true that Taylor Swift’s boyfriend might make a special appearance at an Eras show down under?
Kansas City Chiefs tight-end Travis Kelce, who has been dating Swift since September last year, mentioned he could be flying to Australia following his huge Super Bowl win on Monday.
On his New Heights podcast that he co-hosts with his brother Jason, the footballer said that he was “about to go on a f--ing adventure myself over to an island here soon”.
When asked by his brother which island, Kelce said:
I don’t know. I think the best ones are south right now. I’m going to go south.
While the comment doesn’t confirm the athlete will hop on a plane to Australia, the reason fans are speculating is because, firstly, Kelce has been super supportive of Taylor during her Eras tour.
I will leave this here:
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce kissing after the Eras Tour in Argentina.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 12, 2023
pic.twitter.com/FQdTAjDUZ7
Taylor did just fly halfway around the world through multiple time zones to watch him play (and win!) the Super Bowl …
Updated
‘The energy in the stadium will be electrifying’
Outside the MCG fans are starting to gather for Taylor’s first Melbourne show of this tour. People are buying merch and lots are wearing sequins.
Emily and Charlotte are down here from Sydney – they almost missed out on tickets. Emily said she cried when she thought they didn’t get them.
“I’ve been a fan of Taylor since I can remember when. Childhood, birth, came out of the womb with Taylor Swift. I was like if I don’t get this, when she’s playing every single era, I will die.”
Charlotte said she sat online for hours and eventually scored a hotel package, which the pair jumped on.
“When Taylor comes out, the energy in the stadium will be electrifying. It’ll be amazing to be surrounded by a bunch of people who share this love for Taylor.”
They both said there was a real sense of community in the air down here as the crowd built, with people chatting and sharing friendship bracelets.
“It’s much different than any other concert I’ve been too,” Emily said. “I went to ten concerts last year and most of those were tiny, tiny venues, but this feels more close than those ones.”
Updated
Why are we liveblogging this?
Hello it is culture editor Steph here, with an enormous coffee (this thing goes until 11pm???!) and a guest post.
We did debate whether or not we were overdoing it with the Taylor Swift coverage – but the Eras tour juggernaut has become one of the biggest cultural moments of our time, AND it’s particularly huge news for Australia, AND sometimes having fun is good.
Besides, liveblogging so-called “things-that-aren’t-news” has a rich history at the Guardian. Once we tried to live blog a leap second; another time, on a fairly hot day, we cracked an egg on the pavement outside and liveblogged what happened to it (not much).
We’re not sure how this will go. The MCG is a notorious reception black hole during big events, and while Telstra have promised to optimise their capacity “by adjusting the configuration of cells and the balance of traffic between them”, we have absolutely no idea what that means – so we’re sending a satellite phone as back-up.
Here is a photo of the satellite phone we may resort to if reception conks out at the MCG tonight. No one can say we're not taking this live blog seriously. #MelbourneTSTheErasTour https://t.co/Ydvbfdw6uG pic.twitter.com/EcQCKJEzMp
— steph harmon (@stephharmon) February 16, 2024
This technology is usually used by the Guardian in war zones and bushfires. Whoever ends up with it will have to pull out its very long antenna and aim it at the sky in order to send us text messages by rapping out numbers repeatedly on a keypad, just like in the old days.
Updated
MCG gates are open
We can see the Swifties getting excited as the gates begin to open at the MCG.
As we reported earlier in the blog, this will be Taylor’s biggest concert yet with an average of 86,000 people attending each Melbourne concert over the next three nights.
4.30pm gates open
6.20pm show starts
The music is set to kick off with pop princess Sabrina Carpenter as the opening act.
Taylor is set to come on stage around 7.30pm or 8pm at the latest. But we will keep you posted.
We’ve also just set up a TIP LINE because we are TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY. If you want to send us fun facts/pics/a lot of emotions, hit us up at melb.eras@guardian.co.uk
Updated
Taylor Swift sing-along on board Qantas flight to Melbourne
The Taylor Swift hype reached new heights earlier today.
These interstate travellers arriving in Melbourne from Perth for the Eras Tour were treated to a sing-along, led by Qantas crew member Paul Pillati, to the smash hit Cruel Summer.
His daughter Caitlin captured all the action and shared it on TikTok:
A Taylor Swift sing-a-long en route to Melbourne!
— Emily Wind (@emilywindwrites) February 16, 2024
Via caitlinpilatti on TikTok pic.twitter.com/VcGj5t2r1b
In other transport-related news: puns are happening.
Very charming ptv employee shepherding #Swifties onto the tram ahead of #TaylorSwiftErasTour melbourne tonight! @GuardianAus @theclairekeenan pic.twitter.com/gutdv1poV6
— Lisa Grace Favazzo (@a_pale_olive_) February 16, 2024
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Taylor Swift’s enormous week
What Taylor has done each night of her tour is a phenomenal physical feat. Singing live for three hours is hard enough, but dancing as well? And seemingly never out of breath or looking bothered?
To prepare for it she famously told Time magazine that she spent months running on a treadmill every day while singing the entire 44-song setlist.
But tonight may be the most impressive physical feat so far. Last Saturday, Swift famously flew from Japan to America, went to the Super Bowl on Sunday evening, and was photographed leaving the after-party at 5am Monday.
She was in Hawaii by the next day and left about midday Tuesday to land in Melbourne just after midnight Wednesday. Which has given her 1.5 nights to recover after an (assumed) Monday hangover – to say nothing for the jet lag that has taken her from Japan to America to Melbourne in the space of a few days.
I want to lie down in an isolation tank just thinking about it.
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Diehard Taylor Swift fan wins ticket at pub trivia
Andrew Caldwell spent countless hours trying to secure a ticket to Taylor Swift’s Eras tour for his daughter Emily. They had had no luck amid unprecedented demand but that changed on Thursday.
At a Taylor Swift trivia night at a pub in Echuca in regional Victoria, 100 local Swifties gathered to find out who among 800 entrants would win a coveted ticket to tonight’s show. Emily didn’t win, but organiser Molly Davis came to the rescue. She said:
As soon as I told her she was going, she burst into tears.
This video will make your day.
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Beware the ticket scams
A quick search of “Taylor Swift Melbourne” on X/Twitter reveals dozens, if not hundreds, of people purporting to be selling tickets to tonight’s concert.
Ticket scams related to the Eras tour have been rife since the Australian concerts were first announced. Between mid-June last year and 12 February, the ACCC had received 406 reports to Scamwatch regarding Taylor Swift ticket scams, with total losses of about $183,000.
Last month it warned of a social media scam, where scammers would hack social media accounts to sell fake Taylor Swift tickets to the compromised account’s friends list.
Taylor Swift fans being targeted by ticket scammers disguised as social media ‘friends’, Victoria police warn
An ACCC spokesperson said:
Taylor Swift fans looking to secure last minute tickets to the Australian leg of The Eras tour are being urged to be cautious of scammers selling fake tickets on social media.
You can read all the latest advice from Scamwatch here. Please be on alert if you’re looking for last-minute tickets!
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Swiftmania takes over Melbourne
Melbourne has had a Swift makeover ahead of the Friday night concert…
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No ‘Taylorgating’ at MCG, premier warns
The MCG is instructing ticketholders not to line up outside the stadium before 2.30pm (gates open at 4pm), but thousands are already there for merch – wearing full-body glitter, cowboy boots and cardigans as well as the most ubiquitous item: friendship bracelets that have reportedly been causing bead shortages around Australia.
Here’s our colleague Matilda Boseley with her contribution:
The crown jewel of my bracelet creations #MelbourneTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/YVtZfvUXX8
— Matilda Boseley (@MatildaBoseley) February 15, 2024
Last week, the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, announced plans to prevent “Taylorgating” at the MCG – ticketless fans partying outside to experience the concert by proximity. Police, emergency services and security staff will be on hand, and the MCG – as well as Sydney’s Accor stadium – have pleaded with people to stay away, stressing there won’t be screens outside broadcasting what’s happening within.
According to footage taken during last night’s soundcheck, you might be able to listen from home anyway …
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Tonight’s MCG show will be biggest of Eras tour to date
As suspected, Melbourne’s Eras show will set a new record for attendance at a single Taylor Swift concert – a record that may not be toppled even in Europe later this year.
The biggest show on the Eras tour so far was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Taylor’s home state), which hosted just over 73,000 fans. The Melbourne Cricket Ground has an official capacity of 100,024 people. Last year, Ed Sheeran played to a record of 109,500 people in a single night.
But Sheeran was able to do that because his stage was set in the middle of the stadium, whereas Taylor has quite an enormous stage for the Eras tour: there’s three separate parts that change via hydraulics, along with a ramp. (The singer famously loves to move around in her stadium tours so fans up the back can enjoy the show just as much as those front and centre.)
Melbourne’s still going to be her biggest though. On Tuesday, after the set-up was confirmed, Frontier Touring sent out a press release that said it would be “the largest concert of Taylor Swift’s career to date.” Her three concerts there will break the MCG’s record for most tickets sold by one artist at the venue, too. She will be performing to an average of 86,000 people a night. In addition, she’ll be the first artist to ever perform four concerts at Accor Stadium when she heads to Sydney next week.
The only show that may challenge the MCG’s record is one of her eight shows in Wembley Stadium in London in June and August; that stadium can officially house up to 90,000 seated and another 25,000 standing.
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My spoiler avoidance comes to an end …
It’s quite ironic that I was asked to live blog for Swift’s first Australian show, since the last time I publicly spoke about the Eras tour was detailing my attempts to avoid any concert spoilers.
Yep, the past 10 months I have been on an excruciating journey of self-control to not look at any TikTok Eras moments or Instagram reels … well, up until now.
When I was emailed a simple question – “Are you a Taylor Swift fan?” – by one of my bosses, I knew this was my time to stand up and show up for the Swifties and not let the team down with my foolish dreams of wanting the ultimate surprise viewing of one of the greatest concerts of all time.
And let me tell you … Wow. I had no idea what I had been missing out on, and I think I may be even more excited for the concert now (if that is even possible).
The last 24 hours has been a whirlwind of me deep-diving into every costume change, every era, and the ins and the outs of that mammoth setlist.
And I am so excited to bring it to you.
But first, here’s a throwback to where I was at before this:
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Welcome to our Taylor Swift blog!
It’s here folks: the first official night of the Eras tour in Australia – in Melbourne – which will bring out the biggest audience of Taylor Swift’s career.
People have been lining up outside the MCG in Melbourne since the morning – and we’re going to be blogging it right until the end.
It’s hard to overstate how much of a cultural phenomenon this tour has been. Swift’s first show was in Glendale in the US on 17 March last year, and by the end it will have comprised more than 150 three-hour shows across five continents – making it the highest-grossing tour of all time.
Australia broke records when more than four million people tried to get tickets; for those who managed, it will be a historic, culture-defining moment. For those who didn’t – maybe this live blog could be the next best thing?
The show doesn’t actually start until support act Sabrina Carpenter takes the stage at 6.20. Taylor herself is expected around 8pm. We have a few people in the arena, who’ll be feeding us bits and pieces – but only if they can get reception in one of Australia’s worst reception black holes.
This could be chaotic. It could be disastrous. But it’s going to be fun.
The vibe in Melbourne is incredible. The guy at the train station gave us all friendship bracelets. We’re about to brave the merch lines. Such an in incredible experience. I ♥️ Melbourne #MelbourneTSTheErasTour #TaylorSwiftErasTour #TaylorSwift pic.twitter.com/b2vRRXNUJ6
— Jessica Munday (@MundayJessica) February 15, 2024
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The MCG is instructing ticketholders not to line up outside the stadium before 2.30pm (gates open at 4pm), but thousands are already there for merch – wearing full-body glitter, cowboy boots and cardigans as well as the most ubiquitous item: friendship bracelets that have reportedly been causing bead shortages around Australia.
Here’s our colleague Matilda Boseley with her contribution:
The crown jewel of my bracelet creations #MelbourneTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/YVtZfvUXX8
— Matilda Boseley (@MatildaBoseley) February 15, 2024
Last week, Victorian premier Jacinta Allan announced plans to prevent “Taylorgating” at the MCG – ticketless fans partying outside to experience the concert by proximity. Police, emergency services and security staff will be on hand, and the MCG – and Sydney’s Accor stadium – have pleaded with people to stay away, stressing there won’t be screens outside broadcasting what’s happening within…
According to footage during last night’s soundcheck, you might be able to listen from home anyway…
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