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!

https://scottishrugby.org/tickets-and-events/taylor-swift/

Think I found it, thank you!

Yes definitely don’t chance a bigger bag. It does say you will be sent to one of the many bag drop facilities across Edinburgh. And it doesn’t have to be see through.

Definitely not going to risk it! I won't need much, and DD can have a bag as well. Will need to stick a sandwich, drink and a load of haribo in hers to keep her going - she's a right fussy bugger and I'm not risking her deciding she can't possibly eat any of the food on sale in the stadium.

Does anyone know if everyone stands up during the concert? We have seats but I'm worried we have spent a fortune for my small 10 year old to not be able to see.

People are making playlists - like here - for the updated set list for those who want to catch up with the Eras Tour songs.

You'll still get surprise acoustic songs (plus potentially other surprises) and, personally, I would enjoy it a lot more knowing the songs. There is a lot of music plus all the visuals are as much part of story.

Have fun all those who are going. Paris was already wild and I think the rest of the European leg won't disappoint.

Honestly, yes they will. People may sit down for a little break every now and then but otherwise they'll be standing and dancing.

If she's really small, stand her on the seat. Or try taking in a folding step? Though I imagine it won't be allowed through.

My dd will be 10 too but she's tall, hoping she'll be able to see. I think our seats are the end of a row so I'll put her on the end and she can edge out into the space at the end of the row, I hope.

Thanks for the reply. Can try her on the chairs but she will likely fall off dancing. Just hope she ends up with an equally small child in front ha ha. We are definitely mid row I've checked the seats already

Sooooooo we went to Eras last night!!!!! We have flown out to Stockholm and the entire town has gone Taylor mad!!!!!

I was a massive Taylor fan already but I am gobsmacked. It’s like watching 10 encores/finales from 10 of the best acts in the world… only she’s one person and she wrote every word! It’s honestly super human!!!!

In Stockholm the queues in the stadium for merch and food were mad. She is one SO much earlier than a normal gig to account for the length of the show that there isn’t really much time to queue for food and drink and merch. We prioritised merch… I am absolutely exhausted. We sang, danced an screamed for 3.5 hours, we had seats but never sat down. She’s off stage for less than 10 minutes of the whole show, each transition is 2 mins max! If you are likely to need the loo- do research on what are the bigger gaps!

I would also recommend a large meal before you go- we’re going again in Edinburgh and have now decided we’re going for pizza/pasta mid afternoon. Wear your absolute most comfortable shoes.

In Stockholm no bags were allowed at all so we bought phone cases with card holders on the back and and a string for our necks and this worked well.

From getting in there was about 45 mins wait until Paramore- don’t miss them, they are incredible! Then Taylor is on like 20mins later- again, this is a REALLY quick transition, so don’t get caught out! When Applause by Lady Gaga starts, make sure you are in your spot!

That is so helpful @user1471548941 thank you!

I'm going N3 Liverpool with my 16/12 yo. I am familiar with some songs as my oldest used to have eras tour clips on permanent loops.

I am dressing up - felt I would look boring next to my DD's if not.

My oldest is making friendship bracelets - she is aiming for about 100. I will wear a couple but apparently it's too embarrassing for me to swop them.

Comfy shoes for me is big thing - I am assuming we will need to walk the hour back to hotel. Youngest is insistent on wearing cowboy boots for the show and not sure how I fit a pair of sliders in the a5 bag which I think is what we are alllowed there.

You will be fine! You don't have to dress up or make friendship bracelets - I'm taking DD and a friend of hers and I don't expect we will do either of those things. Definitely comfortable shoes - always a good idea for a gig.

If you want to know the songs beforehand then check out an Eras tour playlist on Spotify but to be honest I don't even think that's essential. I took three small girls to the movie (we all love TS) and the dad of one came along (not at all a Swiftie) and he was struck by how well put together it was and how good her songs actually are.

If you want to focus on just a few songs, (and you'll probably know a lot of them), maybe Cruel Summer, Love Story, All Too Well, Style, Anti Hero, August, Enchanted, I Can Do It With A Broken Heart and Look What You Made Me Do to cover off all the eras.

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky what are you wearing? I’m considering a sequin dress! But feel it’s a bit OTT but then figure when do you get to wear a sparkly dress? I’ve got some great boots but have heals and decided I want to be comfy! So thinking silver trainers.

@UnionsFailingWomen

I have an ankle length straight black sequin skirt which I'm wearing with a 'not a lot going on at the moment' T shirt. Then my daughter's red heart sunglasses and some platform converse. Also a red heart necklace. I ordered a black hat but not sure on that yet.

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky Oh that sounds fantastic! Definitely go for the hat 😀

Originally I was going to wear the t shirt with jeans or a denim skirt but decided I would probably feel under dressed so just went for it.

I am never usually a glammed up person.

One to consider is earplugs. I’ve bought Loop Experiences for Eras. On the Taylor Swift subreddit people were saying they could actually hear Taylor better because I dampened a lot of crowd noise.

Wear comfy shoes. You probably won't be allowed capped drinks bottles in so keep a bottle top on your bra or somewhere, lol.

The best time for a loo break might be straight after champagne problems although if the applause isn't for long you run the risk of missing a bit of August.

Sensible stuff. Where are the toilets in relation to your seat? Know the seat area, row and number. Write down on your hand or your child's hand. Not on a piece of paper. Or put it in their phone. Pic, text or both. Phone fully charged? Guessing there will be more women than men so gents toilets/cubicles may well be empty whilst there is a queue for the Ladies. Have you got some water? Are you on the pitch? I presume there are sections so do you know that section if you go to the toilet? Might take 20 mins to get there and back, What have you got if it rains? A coat, a plastic sheet thing? You might be in that rain a while (Springsteen in Sunderland last week is an example). Are you staying over or getting a lift home? Always a nightmare getting out of those places. Prob need the toilet again on the way out. If necessary, let the area around you empty, no need to be queuing to queue. For autograph hunters, Taylor will be gone by the time the lights come up so don't try wandering around the venue hoping she will meet you. Set a budget for what you will spend on the merchandise. It will be expensive and does your daughter really need a £500 jacket?

EVERYONE dressed up in Stockholm, my fav was the girl wearing a wedding dress with a sash saying “fucked in the head”!!! We wore sequin dresses (gold for me, red for my friend) with trainers. I have a pink sequin dress to wear for my round 2 in Edinburgh.

We swapped bracelets with loads of people too- if you are brave and start asking, others will join in!

I have ordered pink sequined flares (because it’s Taylor and why not) and a Karma is a cat t-shirt. We have VIP lanyards, bracelets and earrings! Bottle top, hankies & antibac wipes for toilets, phone charger in little rucksack!

Just make sure you’ll get in with your rucksack.

It’s a tiny one

I've spent a happy couple of hours this afternoon making friendship bracelets. Got a fuck ton of beads left (though running short of Es) but have now run out of the string stuff so play halted for this evening.

I went to Wembley in 2018. I doubt if anything has changed (except Robbie Williams who was her special guest when she started to play Angel's on the piano).

Absolutely no food or drink was allowed through the bag searches. Inside all drinks bottles had their lids removed. Start saving a variety of lids from bottles now. Wembley food is pricey.

Queues for toilets in the seated areas weren't too bad as they opened up the men's for women. It would be a nightmare if you were standing, as any gap immediately gets filled. At an Ed Sheeran gig 2 women alongside us were discussing how absorbent their Tena ladies would be!

Parking outside the stadium was really good to get in, but a nightmare to get out of the space as the rows are tightly crammed. Don't drive a Range Rover or learn to trust Park Assist.

Have fun. My DD will be going to Wembley again, but this time I'm going to the Foo Fighters. I have VIP tickets for a friend going to Anfield and their VIP goodie box has arrived here today. It's getting closer!

That's really interesting food was banned for N2 Wembley in 2018. I was there N1, and the people next to us had an M&S picnic with them! Not hidden either - just in huge M&S carrier bags. We were very jealous of them!