Taylor Swift Eras Tour Sydney LIVE updates: US pop star set to ...

23 Feb 2024
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Not at the concert tonight? Feel like you’re there with our gallery

For those of us who aren’t exchanging friendship bracelets or sweating through sparkles at the concert, at least we’ll be able to follow all the fun in our picture gallery. We’ll keep the gallery updated during the evening, so you won’t miss a single rain-induced Taylor curl.

Accor Stadium - Figure 1
Photo WAtoday
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5.09pm

When will the mystery songs come on?

As Taylor hits her fifth song, Lover, it’s time to talk about the mystery songs.

If this is a mystery to you, Swift includes surprise songs on each date of the Eras Tour, which usually are performed about 2.5 hours into the show. For Sydneysiders, that means 10.20pm is the time to watch.

Some of the Melbourne mystery songs included Red, You’re Losing Me, a mashup of Getaway Car, August and The Other Side of The Door and Teardrops on My Guitar.

5.08pm

Taylor pays tribute to resilient Sydney crowdBy Melanie Kembrey

Taylor has acknowledged the tricky conditions earlier in the night, with fans forced to evacuate from the stadium floor and take refuge indoors as lightning and rain struck the Olympic Park venue.

“An Aussie crowd will never let anything get in the way,” she announced, to absolutely rapturous reception.

She sure knows how to charm us.

5.03pm

81,000 is the official numberBy Lauren Ironmonger

As Taylor runs through her usual routine that preludes her song The Man at the opening of the show, she shouts out the 81,000 fans who have braved Sydney’s stormy weather to be there tonight.

“You’re really making me feel like tonight I get to play a sold-out show for 81,000 people in Sydney!” she beamed.

In her Melbourne shows last week at the MCG, Swift played to an audience of 96,000 each night – the biggest of her career yet.

4.59pm

Accor Stadium - Figure 2
Photo WAtoday
The bridge that broke a stadium

A fitting first song given the weather today, Cruel Summer sends the stadium to a new fever pitch.

It’s the bridge so many have been waiting (and rehearsing) for – please tell us you weren’t those people who went too early.

Keen fans will note that Swift is wearing the blue version of the Lover bodysuit, which she hasn’t worn since July (more commonly wearing pink).

4.53pm

Travis, Baz, Rita, Katy… the celebs are outBy Melanie Kembrey

Taylor is on stage playing her first song right, but our sources on the ground have shared intel on the big-name celebrities watching her in Sydney tonight. They include her boyfriend Travis Kelce, who flew in this week, pop stars Katy Perry and Rita Ora, and Australia’s own Baz Luhrmann.

That’s a star-studded crowd.

4.49pm

Taylor Swift is on!

The big moment has arrived!

The clock has counted down and Taylor Swift has finally taken to the stage in Sydney, just under 20 minutes late after a nearby lightning strike caused the stadium floor to be emptied.

The rain certainly hasn’t dampened the spirit of fans, with a huge roar as Swift opened her Eras Tour to a crowd of 80,000 at Accor Stadium with a mash-up of Swift’s best Eras, and a short version of Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince.

Plenty of tears and cheers, as Taylor quips “Oh hi!”

4.44pm

Lady Gaga’s Applause is playing… that means Taylor is out very soonBy Melanie Kembrey

The interstitial music that plays before Taylor jumps on stage has been the same throughout the Eras Tour. One of the last songs to play before the famous countdown clock appears heralding her arrival is Lady Gaga’s Applause, from her 2013 album Artpop. It’s playing right now so Taylor is on... very soon.

Accor Stadium - Figure 3
Photo WAtoday

In a matter of minutes.

4.41pm

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese proves he is a SwiftieBy Nick Galvin

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made his first appearance at Taylor Swift’s concert with his partner Jodie Haydon.

Looking relaxed in a blue polo shirt, jeans and sneakers Albanese will be taking in the show from a premium box on the second level stage left. He is, our spies tell us, sporting at least five friendship bracelets.

It’s a big weekend for the PM. Tomorrow, he will attend a private performance by singer Katy Perry.

Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon at the Eras Tour.Credit: Meg Galvin

4.25pm

What do damp Swifties eat? An unscientific investigationBy Anthony Segaert

Loads of food trucks outside Accor Stadium are offering fans a good feed on the way in. Feeling a little peckish ourselves, we decided to check out the offerings. The three stalls with the most Swifties (and the odd Blink-182 fan) in line are:

Chips on a StickMost popular item: chips on a stick (the only item on the menu) - $10

They serve one thing, and they serve it well. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Turkish GozlemeMost popular item: cheese, spinach and chicken gozleme - $19

A bite to eat ahead of a big night.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Mr Shish Turkish FoodMost popular item: chicken kebab - $20I got the chicken gozleme. Pricey, but delicious.

4.17pm

Sabrina Carpenter isn’t performing. When is Taylor on?By Melanie Kembrey

We don’t have any official word yet on when the show will get under way, but given that the skies have cleared and security has let fans back on the stadium floor, it seems like things will kick off pretty soon.

Sabrina Carpenter, the opening act for Taylor, was due to start at 6.20pm, with Taylor taking to the stage at 7.30pm on the dot. We’ve just received word Sabrina isn’t playing her opening set.

That means Taylor could kick off at 7.30pm, or close to, and things will largely be on schedule. Wow, what can’t she do?

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