Taylor Swift fans braved the cold this morning draping themselves in blankets as they began queuing outside the Anfield Stadium ahead of the pop star’s performance in Liverpool tonight.
Devoted Swifites have been standing outside the home of Liverpool FC since 3am in a bid to get as close to the American singer as possible.
Not put off by the unusually cold June weather, fans of all ages and from all over the world were in high spirits as they counted down the hours to finally see their icon in person.
Swift, who has been performing on her Eras tour for more than a year now, kicks off her three-day stint in Merseyside at 7pm tonight in front of a 53,000-strong crowd.
This comes after fans caused such a stir at her Eras Tour gigs in Scotland over the weekend that seismologists recorded tremors nearly four miles away.
Specualtion was growing in the crowd this morning that the singer would surprise her fans tonight with an announcement to mark the hundredth show of her tour – which also happens to fall on the 13th, her favourite number.
Rumours include that she could bring out Liverpool legend Sir Paul McCartney or Swift’s fellow American singer Lana del Rey. Other fans thought a music video might be released or the release date for Reputation, Taylor’s Version could be announced.
Elise Morris, 19, and Maya McFadden, 19, from Liverpool were at the front of the queue this morning after arriving at around 3am to grab their spot.
The excitable pair, who were sat preparing their costumes for tonight’s gig, have made over 200 friendship bracelets to hand out and trade with other Swifites ahead of the show.
Miss Morris said: ‘We were told to go home because we were too early but we decided to wait around. I saw her before when I was five for 1989 and I remember enjoying myself but I am so excited to see her again. I can’t wait to see the Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.’
Sat behind them were Sarah Singer, 25, who had travelled all the way from Georgia in the United States and Nick Vynnyk, 19, had travelled from wartorn Mariupol in Ukriane for the concert.
Miss Singer said: ‘We got here at 3am this morning. I’m from Georgia in the US. We are very excited, especially for the surprise songs.
‘It’s her hundredth show and it’s on the 13th – her favourite number – so we think she’s going to announce something.’
‘We have no idea what it will be. You never do with her. We can kind of speculate but maybe a music video. It would be very cool if she brought out Paul McCartney, maybe she will announce a collaboration song with him. But it’s all speculation before.’
Mr Vynnyk added: ‘I am from Ukraine and I saw her one time before in LA for her Eras tour. I was at the 1989 Taylor’s Version announcement, so we are hoping for another announcement tonight.
Some Swift fans had brought campchairs to sit in the line, while others lay on the cold floor outside the stadium fast asleep in sleeping bags.
Doors for those VIP ticket holders will open at 3pm with general admission holders then allowed to join the line.
Many who arrived at the crack of dawn are scrambling to get as close to the stage as possible.
Fans were warned by Merseyside Police not to camp outside the stadium but it did not deter Swifities turning up in the early hours to stand in line.
John Mitchell, 41, Manchester: ‘We got here about half four to try and get as close to the barricade as possible. We are tired right now, we only came across from Manchester but we left at 3am.
‘Everyone has looked out for each other in the queue this morning. Those with general admission were asked to queue elsewhere but everyone was really supportive and there was no trouble. It’s been a bit early for a sing-a-long yet but I’m guessing soon it will happen.’
‘There’s lots of rumours for tonight because of the special numbers but who knows. Maybe there will be some extra surprises, we shall see.’
His partner Rob Thoday, also 41, added: ‘We are just so excited that the day is finally here. We have had the tickets for about a year now so it’s been a longtime coming. It felt like it was never actually going to take place, so for it to now be here right in front of us is amazing.’
Angelica Zhu and Liam Drew, both 27, travelled from Devon last night to ensure their spot in the line at 5am this morning, in hope they can be in the front line.
Miss Zhu, who has been a fan since she was nine-years-old said: ‘I am so excited and very nervous. I just want to touch the barricade and get as close as possible. Hopefully waking up at 3am will be worth it. It’s meant to start raining soon but hopefully not.
‘It is the hundredth show so there will definitely be a surprise but just being able to see her live will be so exciting. Some people are saying the new Reputation album will be announced but who knows.’
Despite the chilly weather, many of the Swifities were already clad in their skimpy Eras-style costumes.
Lucy George, 31, Amy Patterson, 30, and Rachel Varney, 33, travelled across from the Isle of Mann last night to get their spot in the queue.
Dressed up as convicts to represent Swift’s new song Fresh Out the Slammer and in the pop star’s iconic 22 outfit, the group of women arrived at 6am.
Miss George said: ‘We have our jumpsuits on, we are Fresh Out the Slammer. We made most of our costumes last night.’
Hallee Gavin, 20, from Liverpool added: ‘We think she might announce a music video tonight – everyone is either saying there will be a Reputation announcement or Paul McCartney, which would be an absolute dream.’
Beth Leggate, 19, arrived with her friends Lucy Moine, 18, and Ellie Singer, also 18, to Liverpool from Glasgow last night, joining the queue in the early hours of this morning.
Miss Leggate said: ‘We are so excited to be close to Taylor and see her choreography. Hopefully we will get to the barricade.
‘We managed to get really last minute tickets in Edinburgh behind the stage. We couldn’t see the main stage but we saw the catwalk bit and it was so good.
‘I hope there will be a surprise tonight for the hundredth show. She is very unpredictable – which is what everyone loves about her. And it’s in Liverpool which is the city of music.’
Miss Moine added: ‘This is a good day. It’s her hundredth show. Something is going to happen.’
Excitement within Liverpool has been building for days, with colourful stalls full with pink and red feather boas and cowboy hats filling the streets.
The city has even set up the Taylor Town Trail – a group of eleven art installations dotted all over the city, with each piece representing a different album, or ‘era’.
Fans have been seen crowded around each installation, taking selfies or singing their favourite songs.
Meanwhile others were seen queuing in line for merchandise at the Anfield Stadium to get their hands on t-shirts, hoodies and posters.
Megan Jackson, 28, travelled from North Wales this morning to get a spot in the line. She said: ‘I am beyond excited, it is all so exciting. Can’t wait for the surprise songs but the whole atmosphere more than everything and of course to see Taylor.
‘I’ve dressed up for Reputation but it is freezing so I am dressed up in a 1989 sweatshirt I bought. It’s been a long time coming but it will definitely be worth it.’
Catrin Harrison, 22, and Debbie Boyd, 21, have been waiting since 7am for the general admission queue to open at three.
Miss Harrison said: ‘I did see her in Edinburgh which was amazing. Tonight I hope she plays some Speak Now or Fearless but I don’t think she will do it – she seems to hate her older albums which breaks my heart.’
Hannah Hanson and Caitlin Churchill, both 23, joined the line at 6am this morning, travelling over from the nearby Wirrall.
The pair, who are most looking forward to Swift’s surprise songs, added: ‘I think she will do Seven on Saturday – she did it the night before British father’s day last year so maybe.
‘We made quite a few friendship bracelets and we are planning to trade them all later. The crowd has been so nice – way better than other concert lines we’ve been to.’
Aidan Salari, 21, and Ella Wigmore, 20, travelled down from Leeds for the show already dressed in their costumes.
Miss Wigmore said: ‘I am just looking forward to seeing her perform and to see the new songs that she will do. I saw her before. She’s such a good performer. I went with my mum before and she’s not a big Taylor Swift fan but she loved it because the show she put on was that good.’
Swift’s concert today marks the 100th show in her Eras tour since she kicked off the world-wide show in Glendale, Arizona, on March 17 2023.
Fans claim it’s no surprise that the singer has chosen to play her 100th show on the 13th as it is her favourite number.
The sell-out performance marks her first show in England since her 2018 Reputation tour.
Since then Swift has released five new albums and re-released four albums under the ‘Taylor’s Version’ moniker following her fall-out with label owner Scooter Braun.
The 14-time Grammy award-winner began her European tour in Lisbon last month before finally arriving in the UK last week for three shows in Edinburgh.
During her 72 hours in the Scottish capital the singer was not only given five-star reviews across the board for her performance but was praised for her generosity after making a sizeable donation to the Edinburgh Food Project.
Director Bethany Biggar said: ‘We are thrilled that Taylor has decided to support the food banks and leave a lasting impact on Edinburgh.
‘Things are really tough for a lot of people right now, so it is lovely to see someone like Taylor spreading such positivity.’
It has prompted speculation that Swift will also donate to charities across Merseyside during her stay.
The record-breaking world tour will see Swift perform between 44 and 46 songs over the course of 3 hours and 15 minutes.
The Eras Tour has already grossed more than $1billion, the largest haul for any pop act and bagging a Guinness World Record.
Her shows are predicted to provide a £997million boost to the UK economy.
Almost 1.2million fans will spend an average of £848 on tickets, travel, accommodation, outfits and other costs to see the pop superstar at one of the 15 British tour dates – more than 12 times the average cost of a night out, according to a Barclays Swiftonomics study.
Eras Tour tickets sparked a 15.8 per cent year-on-year increase in UK spending on entertainment when they were released last July.
The average amount spent on an Eras tour ticket is £206, although 14 per cent of fans – including those who bought VIP ticket packages with premium seating and exclusive merchandise – laid out more than than £400.