The day we have all been waiting for has finally arrived: Taylor Swift is performing her first show in Australia tonight.
We repeat: Taylor Swift is finally performing her first The Eras Tour show in Australia tonight.
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’s not just a big not for us Aussie Swifties – it’s actually predicted to be a history-making evening for Swift herself, as the first Melbourne show is set to be her biggest audience ever of at least 86,000 fans.
That will be a personal record for the Lavender Haze singer, who is coming off a monumental year into an even bigger one.
“I think this is next level by any standards. She is clearly the hottest artist on the planet and just keeps getting hotter and hotter and hotter,” Nine’s Entertainment Editor Richard Wilkins told 9honey Celebrity this week, saying the fanaticism around Swift is nothing like he’s ever seen before.
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As we count down the hours, minutes and then seconds until we hear the first strains of Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, follow along with 9honey Celebrity’s live blog for all the latest news and updates you need to know.
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.
READ MORE: The six songs you won’t see Taylor Swift perform in Australia
Megg and Gabby have been outside the MCG since this morning, though only one of them are going to the show. (Supplied)
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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Swift merchandise wait times at the MCG are currently around one hour. (Nine/Supplied)
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
Taylor Swift fans in Melbourne are still hoping to score tickets despite them being sold-out. (Nine/Supplied)
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’
Fans started lining up at 6am today to get Taylor Swift-inspired tattoos. (Instagram/Fine Line Tattoos)
Fine Line Tattoos are celebrating Swift’s Melbourne concert with a flash walk-in tattoo event. (Instagram/Fine Line Tattoos)
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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The MCG’s new look as the stage for Swift’s show tonight undergoes its final set up steps. (9News)
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.
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.”
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.
(Supplied)
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
Everyone wants to know if Swift’s beau Travis Kelce will be joining her Down Under. (Julio Cortez/AP)
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.
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.
