CELEBRITY
Taylor Swift fans dress up in costumes and wrap themselves in blankets as they brave brisk Edinburgh to queue up hours ahead for singer’s third show in Scotland
Taylor Swift fans have began queuing outside the Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh as ahead of the pop sensations third show in the Scottish capital. The 14-time Grammy-winning star began the UK leg of her Eras Tour on Friday with 73,000 fans attending her show – making it the biggest stadium gig in Scottish history.
Now fans are lining up to get a prime spot at the show, which has won universal acclaim from critics. Some fans queued for two nights in order be the first let into the stadium, making sure to trade friendship bracelets and wrap up warm for the brisk Scottish summer. Swifties began making bracelets – often with her lyrics or song titles on them – at her US shows.
The tradition started after the popstar wrote the line ‘So, make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it / You’ve got no reason to be afraid,’ on her track You’re On Your Own Kid on her 10th album Midnights. Despite hours of queuing, fans were sure to look their best – with many recreating the stars various costumes from the show. Chloe Rake, 36 from Leeds, opted for a homemade pink bodysuit – a recreation of the outfit Taylor wears during the Lover set of her tour.
Others wore custom cowboy hats, bedazzled with sections of each of the singer’s albums. Meanwhile, some opted for coats and sleeping bags as they cuddled up hours before the show. Those who have forked out extra on VIP tickets will be allowed in the stadium from 3pm, while general admission gets in at 4pm. Taylor takes to the stage at 7.15pm for a four hour career spanning show. She is supported by Paramore, who make take to the stage at 6pm for a 45 minute set.
Some fans wore the singer’s merchandise, which is on sale outside the stadium, while others wore blankets – including foil ones – to keep cosy. The Murrayfield stadium warned against fans camping out,but the rules appeared to not be enforced – with more than 10 camps set up overnight. Other Swifties have packed out hotels in Edinburgh’s historic centre having jetted in from the far corners of the globe as the pop queen kicks off the British leg of her Eras tour.
On Friday, the first few hardy souls began gathering in Roseburn Park to wait for the entrance gates to open at 3pm this afternoon. First in to the stadium tonight will be Amber Small, 19, from Aberdeen, who was at the front of the VIP section. She said: ‘I can’t wait. I got here for 3am to be first in queue. I didn’t go to bed last night because I was so excited. ‘It was quite cold and dark but I’ve got my poncho on and I’m from North-East Scotland so I’m made of stern stuff.
‘I stayed the night at my friend’s aunt’s house as she lives in Edinburgh and sneaked out quietly about 2am. Nothing was going to stop me from getting here early, she’s incredible, the best artist in the world. ‘I’ve seen her twice, in London and Glasgow a few years ago. ‘A few other fans came after me. We got chatting and we’ve all marked our hands with marker pen to show our place in the queue. ‘I’m thrilled I’m number one! That feeling of being the first in the stadium this afternoon when the gates open at 3pm will be indescribable. And it’s only going to get better when Taylor Swift comes on this evening!’
Friends Aidan Nicholson, 27, Zoe Wick, 22, and Alana Johnstone, 22, have travelled from Orkney to attend the concert in Edinburgh on Friday. Mr Nicholson said: ‘We got a boat and drove for about six hours to get here. We’re also flying out to Denmark tomorrow on holiday.’ Asked what he is most excited about, he said: ‘I’m looking forward to her playing You Belong With Me, because it’s vintage Taylor, the best Taylor, and that’s the way to go.’
Ms Wick said: ‘I’m excited to hear Love Story because it’s a classic and everybody grew up listening to it.’ And Ms Johnstone said she is looking forward to the song All Too Well, adding: ‘I can’t wait to hear it.’ Jasmine Griffin-Jones, 19, travelled to Edinburgh yesterday from her home in Manchester. She joined two friends camping outside Murrayfield overnight. She said: ‘We weren’t supposed to camp but a few of us turned up with tents and had nowhere else to go so the authorities didn’t have much choice but to let us stay.