Swifties Turn Liverpool into “Taylor Town” as Taylor Swift Kicks Off Eras Tour at Anfield
Taylor Swift has started her three-night concert series at Anfield Stadium, turning Liverpool into Taylor Town. More than 150,000 fans, called Swifties, have come to the city for her sold-out shows. The first concert on Thursday night marks the 100th show of her Eras Tour, which began in March 2023 in Arizona, making it a special event for everyone.
Liverpool has welcomed Taylor Swift with an outdoor art exhibition inspired by her music. There are 11 different art installations around the city for fans to enjoy and take photos with.
Claire McColgan, director of Culture Liverpool, said, “Liverpool is no longer Liverpool for this whole week, Liverpool is Taylor Town.”
Fans have traveled from places as far away as New Zealand and the United States to see these installations and attend the concerts.
Fans from all over the world have come to Liverpool for the concerts, showing how popular Taylor Swift is. Julia Rubino from Austin, Texas, and her mother Kathy from Saudi Arabia shared their excitement.
Julia recently became a big fan of Taylor Swift and said the singer’s passion and drive inspire her. Kathy agreed, saying Taylor Swift is empowering for women. Their story is just one of many showing how much fans connect with Swift’s music.
Another touching story is about Cali and her mother Mindy, who flew in from Florida. Cali, a 17-year-old who survived leukemia, is celebrating being cancer-free for 13 years at the concert.
Mindy said, “I haven’t heard of other cities doing what Liverpool is doing, so we are really excited to get to experience it.” This unique celebration adds to the excitement for many fans in Liverpool.
The concerts at Anfield are set to be amazing. Taylor Swift will perform for three and a half hours, singing 44 songs from different parts of her career, including hits from albums like Lover, Fearless, Reputation, and 1989.
Fans have been lining up early to buy merchandise like t-shirts and tote bags, showing their excitement for the concerts and the whole experience.
Taylor Swift’s tour is also bringing a big economic boost to the UK. A report by Barclays says the Eras Tour could add nearly £1 billion to the UK economy.
Local vendors near Anfield are benefiting too, selling food and drinks to the many fans. This economic impact is linked to the strong sense of community among fans, making the atmosphere even more positive.
Fans are creating a strong sense of community. Elise, who arrived at Anfield at 4:30 am, and groups like Katie, Lucy, Paddy, and Emily from Gloucestershire, who made over 1,000 friendship bracelets, show how much Swift’s music brings people together. Their excitement and dedication add to the vibrant atmosphere in Liverpool, making the Eras Tour a special event.
To make sure everything goes smoothly, Merseyside Police have increased patrols around Anfield, the city center, and railway stations. Fans without tickets are advised not to come to the stadium, and a “Liverpool Loves Taylor” information stand at Liverpool Lime Street Station is helping fans until June 15. This extra security and support help make the event enjoyable for everyone.