The day Australians had been waiting for finally arrived – Taylor Swift‘s first The Eras Tour show in Australia.
We repeat: Taylor Swift finally performed her first Australian concert in six years, after visiting on her Reputation tour in 2018.
It’s been a long time coming, we can tell you that for free, with many cheers and tears (see: The Great Ticketing War) being encountered along the way.
And it was not just a big one for us Aussie Swifties – it was a big one for Swift herself, whose year just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
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The 96,000-strong crowd inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was the biggest concert of her career so far and broke Lady Gaga’s 2022 Chromatica Ball record, giving Swift the title of biggest female concert of the decade.
“Oh Melbourne, look at you – I’m just taking a mental picture for myself any time that I’m sad,” she told the crowd.
“I’m going to remember all of this that I got to look at on Friday night in Melbourne. Just a few songs in you are already making me feel phenomenal.”
So, it’s no surprise the biggest show of the 34-year-old’s career to-date resulted in some big moments for fans, including announcing a new bonus track The Bolter and an alternate album cover for upcoming The Tortured Poets Department.
Swift also sang You’re Losing Me from the album Midnights live for the first time EVER.
Read on to see how the night unfolded and all of the biggest moments as they happened:
And, that’s a wrap
After just over three hours on stage, new album cover reveals and record-breaking crowd attendance, Swift tells the crowd: “Melbourne I’m never going to forget tonight.”
“You have been unbelievable. Do you have time for one more song?” she asked, before launching into Karma.
Before that, in this Era, fans heard Lavender Haze, Anti-Hero, Midnight Rain, Vigilante Shit, Bejeweled and Mastermind.
Big reveal
Swift’s surprise songs aren’t from the new album BUT she did tease an alternate album cover and a new song, The Bolter, which will feature on the vinyl edition of the record.
“I’m very excited for April 19 … I cannot wait for you to hear all those songs then,” Swift told the crowd to massive cheers.
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“This album – I think more than any other – I needed to make it, it was really a lifeline for me, just the things I was going through, the things I was writing about.
“It reminded me why songwriting actually gets me through my life.”
Sending panic through fans was the fact the concert livestream cut out part way through the singer’s chat talking about the new album and Swifties thought they were missing out on something massive.
The surprise songs in the end – for those playing at home – were Red and You’re Losing Me from the album Midnights, which is a song she’s never (yes, NEVER!) performed live before.
This leads nicely into her final era of the night, which is the Midnights Era, her most recent album.
Excitement building
Swift has kicked off her 1989 Era by saying: “My name is Taylor and I was born in 1989.”
It’s no wonder there’s plenty of excitement – and dancing – with this section featuring some of the singer’s biggest hits, including Style, Blank Space, Shake It Off, Wildest Dreams and Bad Blood.
But what the fans are really bracing themselves for are the two surprise songs (mentioned earlier) – plenty of speculation online that tonight Swift is giving fans a big surprise.
People think they might hear the first single off the upcoming album The Tortured Poets Department orrrr believe there could be an announcement for the re-recorded album Reputation (Taylor’s Version).
All the fun’s not just inside the stadium
With 96,000 inside the MCG, Swift is performing to the biggest crowd of her career so far… but there are more people around outside the stadium.
Fans who didn’t get tickets (cause it was a brutal fight to the death for those bits of gold dust) set up picnics or dressed up and stood outside the grounds, singing along.
Some were also crying along as they heard the pop star perform.
Into her Folklore Era
Another of the pandemic albums with an earthy tone to the songs.
Swift kicked off the seven-song section with The 1 before performing crowd pleasers including: Betty, Last Great American Dynasty and August.
This portion of the evening, in addition to flowy dresses, also includes the single Cardigan as well as part of tracks Illicit Affairs and My Tears Ricochet.
Hat’s off to ya
Each night during the Eras Tour, Swift gives one lucky fan her black hat during the Red Era.
Tonight, one thrilled little girl in a pink T-shirt was given the honour before the singer launched into We Are Never Getting Back Together.
This Era starts with 22 and, after the hat moment, typically includes I Knew You Were Trouble and All Too Well (10 Minute Version).
Lavender Haze
After singing through her Reputation Era on stage, Swift has switched into her purple enchanted dress for the Speak Now Era.
This bespoke tulle layered dream is one of three gowns made by Nicole + Felicia for the tour.
While there were only two songs performed in the Speak Now Era – Enchanted and Long Live – the Reputation Era had a few more bangers.
Swift kicked it off with …Ready For It?, then Delicate, Don’t Blame Me, Look What You Made Me Do and Champagne Problems.
Teases new music
Just when you thought this show couldn’t get any bigger…
At the Grammys, Swift announced in her Album of the Year acceptance speech there’s a new record coming later this year – The Tortured Poets Department.
Other than a song list and release date not much else is known about the new music … but on stage at the MCG Swift teased fans that she’s going to “talk a little more about that later”, sending the internet into a frenzy.
You see, Swift performs two “secret songs” each show – ones that aren’t on the set list – and now fans think the singer may perform a song from the new album tonight.
It’s been a while
Swift has acknowledged the last time she played in Australia, six years ago – aka many Eras ago.
“Last time I was in Melbourne, it was 2018 and it was the Reputation tour,” she said.
“If there’s anyone that’s here to see me in concert for the first time, I’m so happy to see you.
“I wanted everyone to feel like we made this show for you, whether you’re new here or been here for 15 years!”
Into her third Era
Tay Tay’s got a lot of albums to cover so it’s no surprise she’s moving Swift-ly through them all.
The singer’s now in her Evermore Era – the album released in 2020 after being recorded during the pandemic (remember that thing?!).
This section of the concert involves her playing a moss-covered piano.
All the hits
The 34-year-old has moved into her next Era – Fearless.
After performing hits like Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince, The Man, You Need To Calm Down, Lover and The Archer from her first Era, the second should feature songs that are basically allll the hits that made Tay Tay a star.
“Alright Melbourne, are you ready to go back to high school?” Taylor asked the crowd.
There was a huge singalong with the crowd to You Belong With Me, which then moved into Love Story.
Early arrival
Fans had been expecting Swift to pop up on stage at 8pm on the dot but they were in for a surprise – the singer started the show early (like, almost 20 minutes early).
After kicking off the show in her Lover era, Swift acknowledged the record-breaking crowds inside the MCG.
“I have to be honest with you about something. This is the biggest show we have ever performed on The Eras Tour or any tour ever!” she told the crowd.
“If I seem a little bit like I’m losing my mind over the 96,000 of you, that’s because it’s true. I am.”
It’s the biggest crowd of Swift’s career so far and it gives her the title of Biggest Female Concert of the Decade so far.
She has broken Lady Gaga’s record, which was set during her 2022 Chromatica Ball tour, after the show at Stade de France drew 78,886 attendees.
Sabrina Carpenter finishes on stage
What’s the biggest sign that the main event is one step closer? Support act Sabrina Carpenter taking to the stage!
Fans got the chance to get up and dance as the former Disney Chanel starlet sang some of her hits including Feather and Vicious.
She also belted out a cover of Olivia Newton-John’s Hopelessly Devoted To You.
The blonde bombshell wore a sparkling lavender halterneck and white crystal encrusted go-go boots for her performance.
Fears of asbestos near Sydney’s Accor Stadium alleviated
Amid Sydney’s asbestos debacle, one small median strip at Sydney Olympic Park – where Swift’s shows next weekend are set to take place – has been identified and tested for asbestos.
The test came back negative, but officials are testing it again just to be safe. If asbestos is found, it will be vacuumed up.
”This will not stop Taylor Swift performing in Sydney,” Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said.
“Sydney Olympic Park Authority is inspecting mulch from the supply chain under investigation, that has been used on a median strip on a divided road.
“An examination of the mulch found no asbestos. A back up test is being conducted as a precaution.
“We are testing samples but, regardless, we can remove the mulch and remediate before Taylor Swift takes to the stage in the Harbour City.”
Fans take their seats inside the MCG
Taylor Nation shares special message hours before Swift steps on stage
We’re one step closer to the big show… The MCG has opened its gates!
Taylor Swift fans travel from far and wide for the chance to see her
Megg travelled from Newcastle for the Melbourne show after missing out on tickets in Sydney, our reporter on the ground at the MCG, Allanah Sciberras, says.
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Her friend Gabby – who is on holiday from England – wasn’t as lucky, but wanted to support her friend.
Megg said it took her hours to secure the tickets and she ended up spending more than $3000.
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Length of Taylor Swift merchandise lines at MCG revealed
Our reporter on the ground at the MCG, Allanah Sciberras, says the wait time for merchandise purchasing at the MCG is currently around one hour.
Swift is set to take to the stage at around 8pm, but fans have been at the MCG since this morning to buy her merch.
Taylor Swift’s opening act Sabrina Carpenter has started her sound-check
Hope for ticket Hail Mary to be answered last-minute
Our reporter on the ground at the MCG, Allanah Sciberras, has encountered some Swift superfans who are praying for a miracle.
Michelle and ‘Swift’ are hopeful they can score some last minute tickets. The pair are currently sitting outside of the MCG with handwritten signs.
“I just love her music and how she helps people and she is so nice and kind,” the youngster said.
READ MORE: ‘I got tickets to all four Sydney Taylor Swift Eras shows – please don’t hate me’
Swifties have been lining up in Melbourne since 6am, but not for the concert
They’ve been lining up for Swift-inspired tattoos!
Melbourne tattoo studio Fine Line Tattoos have opened up their studio for walk-ins over three days to celebrate Swift’s arrival Down Under, making it so fans don’t have to book in an appointment to get a bespoke Swift-themed tattoo.
The studio is open from 9am to 5pm today, Saturday and Sunday, but some fans started lining up at 6am this morning – it is first in, best dressed after all.
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MCG boss’ warning to Taylor Swift fans ahead of her show tonight
Melbourne Cricket Club CEO Stuart Fox has issued a word of advice for fans who are heading to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for Swift’s show tonight, urging concertgoers to arrive at the precinct early.
Although Swift isn’t set to take to the stage until 8pm AEDT tonight, Fox has said that because several other major events are taking place in the area tonight, he would suggest leaving for the concert early.
“There’s going to be a lot of congestion … I’d certainly be making tracks at about 3 o’clock,” Fox told 3AW’s Breakfast with Ross and Russel this morning.
See what the MCG looks like now here.
Scammers targeting desperate fans already
Ticket scalpers (and many scammers) are flooding social media pages already with claims of last-minute sales for Swift tickets in Melbourne tonight.
Scammers have been targeting Swifties for the past several months and several official outlets have warned fans to be on the lookout for fake sellers.
A spokesperson for Scamwatch told 9honey that they are aware of scams associated with Taylor Swift tickets on social media.
“This has been particularly prevalent in NSW and Victoria. We have received reports of tickets being sold on social media where accounts have been compromised by scammers,” they said.
Basically, unless you want to risk losing your money, don’t try to purchase tickets outside of the official Ticketek Fan to Fan Marketplace.
Read more here.
What would you give to go to Taylor Swift’s first Australian show?
One Adelaide woman is skipping her aunt’s funeral to attend Swift’s show in Melbourne tonight, choosing to fly to Victoria from South Australia rather than attend the memorial this afternoon.
“I’m a really big Swiftie, I would do anything, well clearly if I am missing a funeral,” she told 107.1 SAFM’s Bec & Soda For Breakfast yesterday.
“The body is being flown from Queensland, it’s a really big deal, there is going to be so many family members there, and I am willing to upset everyone to go.”
Read the full story here.
The best outfits Taylor Swift has worn on her Eras tour
Your outfit for Taylor Swift’s Australian Eras Tour shows, sorted
Well… it’s probably too late to order these before Swift’s Melbourne show this evening, but the items below will likely come in time for her Sydney shows.
Click the image below for outfit inspiration ahead of Taylor Swift’s Sydney shows next weekend.
Will Travis Kelce be joining Taylor Swift in Australia?
Maybe… probably…. it’s likely.
That’s according to 9honey’s Taylor Swift expert Jemima Skelley, who says the NFL star has “all but confirmed that he will be coming Down Under” now that his season has officially ended (with a truly stunning Super Bowl victory, no less).
It’s unlikely, however, that he’ll make it in time for Swift’s first Melbourne show tonight, with Swift touching down in the early hours of Thursday morning without her boyfriend.
Read the full story here.
READ MORE: Accor Stadium gives fans sneak peek of Sydney Eras Tour setup
How to access your tickets for Taylor Swift’s Melbourne show tonight
There is one thing Melbourne ticketholders must do as soon as possible to ensure easy entry this afternoon, a spokesperson for Ticketek warns.
“The most important message is to make sure that fans download the Ticketek app and add their ticket to their Google or Apple Wallet ASAP,” the Ticketek spokesperson urges.
Click here for everything you need to know about how to access your Taylor Swift tickets.
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Stadium rules you need to know for Taylor Swift’s Melbourne shows
So you’ve bought the tickets, have them downloaded to your Google or Apple Wallets, have your costumes on and you’re on your way to the stadium – there are some rules you should know to make sure you’re actually let in.
These rules include what bags you’re allowed to bring in, and how many friendship bracelets you can have with you.
Click here for all the stadium rules and set time information you need to know for Taylor Swift’s Australia shows.
What to pack for Taylor Swift’s Australian Eras Tour shows
Are you ready for it?
Click the image below to see everything you should have in your bag to survive Swift’s marathon concerts.
