Going to see Taylor Swift - what should we know?

[TSnewbie]

In July I'll be going to a Taylor Swift concert with my 14 year old daughter. I miraculously got us tickets and we're pretty excited. However, I only know her songs from the radio - so haven't actively followed new releases/the taylor swift fandom etc.
I went to a lot of concerts in the past but have read in local newspapers that taylor swift's are a bit different in that people dress up, exchange bracelets etc. But is this also required for "chaperone" mums? Did any of you attend the concert tour already and can give some hints? Much appreciated!

Get listening to her new albums (she dropped two!) on Spotify as you will enjoy it more if you know the songs. I'm not a TS fan but my (adult) daughter is and she sent me a playlist , which I am obediently playing... some of it is a bit 'Oh for god's sake get a grip!' to my mind but some is pretty good
Dress up if you want.. and yes the bracelets are a thing !! I'm not going to TS but DD1 will be dressing up, taking bracelets etc . I'm going to Pink! next month, and will at least be donning my tour T shirt from last summer, and possibly a pink sparkly cowboy hat as there were sooooo many last time!!

I am going, with my 11 year old child and 40 year old sister.. I shall be wearing sparkles.. bracelets are being made.. if you can watch the concert on Disney+ it helped me work out which songs I really didn't know!! Also be aware it's a long old concert, depending on which venue you are in depends on the size of bag you can take! Enjoy

I should also add that I have been informed by my 11 year old that if you are dressing up you need to pick an era, which gives you your style and colour palette.. I am an old lady so just doing as I'm told. 😂

It isn’t really necessary to dress up unless you want to. I would download some songs and listen to them. Be warned, if your daughter wants to buy merchandise you need to get there early and queue for a very long time.

Learn the chants!

There are a few different moments during the concert where the crowd chant something ahead of / after one of her lyrics, so it seems like an interaction.

So for Delicate, which is in the reputation era portion, near the start of the song she sings "I know we can't make any promises now can we, but you can make me a drink" and the crowd shouts "1, 2, 3 let's go bitch!".

Look then up on YouTube, you'll find all of them there.

You can find the set list as a playlist on Spotify or just look it up online, so you know what the songs are - it's definitely worth listening to the set list tracks if you don't know all her music. Although as she has just released two new albums, there is a good likelihood the set list may change, so if you wait until she's done the first few shows of this new leg of the tour, you should be able to get the updated version.

Also worth looking online at bathroom breaks - swifties have info online about where the biggest gaps are for set /costume changes so when your best bet for going to the loo will be, without missing any of the show.

Definitely, 100% you need to learn the first bridge in Cruel Summer as the whole stadium will scream it (I'm drunk in the back of the car, and I cried like a baby coming home from the bar, said I'm fine but it wasn't true, I don't want to keep secrets just to keep you! Etc). Also make sure you've listened (and learned!) the ten minute version of All Too Well, because, again, the crowd will sing/ scream that whole song so it will be an amazing thing to be a part of.

Friendship bracelets for trading, has to be done.
Glitter, sequins, sparkle. All of it. As much as possible.

I'm going in June, can you tell I'm excited?!? 😃

Oh now you'll either want spoilers from Paris this week or do you want to avoid them?

Every night she has played different 'secret songs' in an acoustic set. She MIGHT remove these for the new album or continue the mashups she was doing in Aus/Asia. Paris is the first show after the release so there's rumours about changes!

Check bag sizes and what you're allowed to bring. Footwear is a concern of mine as it'll be on so long.

I'm so excited too- N2 Edinburgh!

Most of the 'Chaperone mums' will be the real fans, I've been listening to Taylor Since I was at uni in 2007. Although haven't been able to get tickets.

Learn the chants.
Dress up in something sparkly or to reflect one of the albums if you like. Sparkly t-shirt dresses or sequined cardigan/jackets are available in lots of places at the moment.
Listen to the songs - you can enjoy the music for what it is, or go down the rabbit hole of Easter eggs.
I would actually watch her music videos rather than listen to the songs, they ones she has directed are often very creative and artsy.

I'm going to Wembley and have never been there before so not sure what to expect.
Does anyone have any idea what time you should start queuing to get in?
Does the support act (paramore) come on straight away or do you have to wait an hour for that to start as well?
Terrified I'm going to pee myself with the concert being so long! Are there lots of loos/terrible queues for them at Wembley?

Night 2 Edinburgh here too!!!

Most of the 'Chaperone mums' will be the real fans, I've been listening to Taylor Since I was at uni in 2007

Hard agree! I'm 40 and DD is ten, I'm definitely the bigger fan. I'll be the one with no voice and bleeding feet from dancing and screaming through the whole thing.

Interested to know the same as we are going to Wembley on 22 nd

@WhereTheSpiritMeetsTheBones if doors open at eg 5pm, support isn't likely to be on before 7 (if only one) maybe a bit later depending on what time TS is on. Toilet queues at Wembley usually chaos but move reasonably fast. If you are seated you don't have to go v early, you get in quickly usually but if you are standing and want a good view you'll need to be there much earlier.

ETA - if you look up 'Setlist' for one of her gigs before yours, it will tell you what time support and main acts came on and what the set list was.

This might be helpful re timings, it's for the upcoming Paris gigs.

@Singleandproud 2007? I must be old- I didn’t even think Taylor Swift was born then 😂

Gosh another support mum heading to Wembley here 🤪 I'm actually dreading it ... not been to concerts etc but dd wanted to go so I'm smiling and going too! 3-4 hours just seems soooo long 🤪

I’m going to Wemberly with my 14 yo DD. She knows ALL the songs and I am trying to listen as much as possible as I hate going to concerts and not able to sing along.

I need to plan my outfit etc.

Really excited as I know she’ll be amazing and my DD is going to love it!

Does anyone know what it’s like outside the venues? DH & I are driving DD15 & her GF to Cardiff ( gutted we only got 2 tickets as I really wanted to go). DD says loads of people hang around outside & watch on big screens. Is this a thing?

Very handily, she named one of her albums after her birth year! Helps me remember she's 3 years younger than me and a billionaire 😂

@RabbitsRock yes it has been a thing at other concerts whether it happens here is anyone's guess.

For anyone going that isn't familiar with Taylor there are a number of documentaries on various platforms, Miss Americana is a good one and the re another couple of Disney, sort of explains why she's such a big deal, how she's changed the music industry etc instead of just another singer.

It (Taylor-gating) has happened a lot in the US, partly because their stadiums have huge car parks directly around the stadium itself so there has been a physical space for people to gather. I'm not sure if it will work the same way here - I know in Melbourne people were asked not to gather. Some still did, obviously! But not to the degree it was happening in the US where she was getting 10,000+ people without tickets stood outside so they could hear the concert.

Nooooooooo she's cut Long Live 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

I just lost my message for a moment - I'm so pleased reading all your replies! Also very happy to know I'm not the only chaperone-mum there.
I'll start with the video clips as one of you suggested - should be able to do that during my commute. Many thanks! And have fun for those going in the coming weeks!

N2 Edinburgh for us. We need a bag no bigger than A4. We’ve been busily making our bracelets for trading. My DD is only 7 so our bracelets look very amateurish so hoping people are happy to trade with her she’s so excited!

We'll trade with you, @Bruciebogtrotter !

We've not made any bracelets yet. Must get on it!

How did you find out about the bag restrictions?

I went on the Murrayfield site and there’s a whole page of rules. Most are common sense (use the correct door etc) but the bag thing will catch people out. They are saying if you turn up with a bigger bag you will be told to head back into the city to use some storage lockers there. That’s how I read it anyway, I don’t think you can store a bigger bag at the stadium so it will be a massive faff. I’ll double check these details later and report back!