Taylor Swift says it’s ‘humiliating’ as hand locks up during gig
Taylor Swift is an artist like no other. I saw her perform her first sold-out night at Wembley Stadium in June and she was… simply monumental.
I wrote about her performance at length in our review here, but a few things certainly stuck out to me during the entire day.
Going to gigs is both a part of my life and a major part of my job and as a result, I’ve been about to suss out a number of things that one should and shouldn’t do at any gig.
But… this isn’t just any gig. This is Taylor Swift and it’s the Eras Tour. This kind of show only comes around once in a lifetime.
As a result, I’ve got a few must-know tips for fans who are attending any of the star’s shows next week, from August 15 to August 20, 2024.
Taylor Swift tickets are out right now – get yours below. (Image: GETTY)
Know your support acts
Taylor Swift recently announced a number of brand new support acts will be joining her during the five final Wembley Stadium shows this month.
This lot includes Holly Humberstone, Suki Waterhouse, and RAYE – to name just a few.
Each night will have a different support act. So, if the artist attending on your night is of interest, get in the queue early. The first support act is due to hit the stage around 19:00.
Alternatively, if the artist playing isn’t your cup of tea, you could use this valuable time to buy some merchandise, grab some food, go to the bathroom, take some photos, or just soak up the vibes of Wembley Stadium.
There is an addendum to this: Paramore. The iconic rock outfit from Nashville, Tennessee, are the main support for Taylor Swift, and they are simply out of this world.
I’ve been attending Paramore shows for almost 15 years, and they simply keep getting better.
My final tip for Taylor’s support acts is: Make sure you see Paramore. They are a once-in-a-lifetime band, and you can’t afford to miss them.
Taylor Swift is about to return to the UK. (Image: GETTY)
Don’t miss… Taylor Swift review: The greatest pop performance to ever hit Wembley Stadium [REVIEW]
Know your setlist
Taylor Swift’s elongated setlist is perhaps one of the largest and most robust bodies of live music I have ever experienced.
Coming in at just over three hours long, Taylor runs through her entire songbook catalogue with songs from every album, every decade and – crucially – every Era.
As a result… you may feel a little concerned about when you can run to the bathroom, grab some food, or pick up that last-minute piece of merch.
Thankfully, we have a full breakdown of the setlist here, and it details just when you should leave your seat.
This tip is simple: Know which song(s) you aren’t too bothered about, memorise its slot in the setlist, and run when it begins.
Know your bathrooms
A quick and easy tip – but an important one.
Wembley Stadium has dozens of bathrooms dotted around its circular structure, but queues can form extremely quickly, forcing fans to stand around for upwards of 20 minutes just to get in and out.
My main piece of advice is to just keep walking. Wembley Stadium is, as I said, a big circle.
If you find that your nearest bathroom has an unruly queue, keep walking around the venue until you find one that’s empty.
That way, you can run back to your seat before the next era begins.
Taylor Swift fans ought to organise their day. (Image: GETTY)
Merchandise
Thankfully, when I saw Taylor Swift, she had plenty of merchandise to go around.
However, there have been reports online of tee-shirts and tote bags running out across Europe as the Eras Tour finally draws to a close.
As a result, fans who want to buy something are encouraged to get to the queues early, find a merch stand, and make a purchase early.
Avoid disappointment, and buy what you want as soon as possible.
Here’s where you can buy Taylor Swift tickets now. (Image: GETTY)
Soak it up
I’ll say it again: This is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of gig.
No artist in the history of music has put on a tour this large, or hit Wembley Stadium this many times.
As a result, I want Taylor Swift fans to… enjoy it. Enjoy every second of the Eras Tour.
Scream until your lungs give out, dance till your feet hurt. Make friends, swap friendship bracelets with strangers.
Put your phone down and experience the star’s show. It really is an incredible one.
Buy Taylor Swift tickets here
Sites such as viagogo and Vivid Seats allow fans to buy resale tickets from other fans. However, it is important to note that many event promoters say tickets should not be resold after initial purchase and will not be valid for admittance to gigs.
Fans attending live events with tickets acquired through resale websites are advised to double-check the ticket terms and conditions at the point of sale – such as Ticketmaster or Live Nation – to ensure a smooth live event experience. Tickets could be voided if they were found to be bought second-hand. As a result, fans are buying at their own risk.
With that said, viagogo also commented: “viagogo is a regulated marketplace where fans have the freedom to buy and sell tickets to their favourite live events, safely and securely, backed by a guarantee.”
Fans who have not yet bought tickets to the Eras Tour: I have some good news for you.
Time has not run out just yet. In fact, you’ve got a few days to play with.
Tickets originally sold out at the beginning of the year, but you can still grab your own by looking on such resale websites as viagogo, Vivid Seats and more.
Here’s the links you need to get involved:
VIAGOGO – Buy Taylor Swift resale tickets here.
Alternatively, if you’d rather look for a more pristine, bespoke experience, you could look at Seat Unique.
Seat Unique offers exclusive experiences, including tickets for Taylor Swift’s final shows. While they may cost almost £2,000 each, you may be able to buy a really unique experience. Here’s the link: