In just a few short days the megastar that is Taylor Swift will be returning to London’s Wembley Stadium for the final dates of her European Eras Tour dates.
The ‘You Belong With Me’ singer was previously in the capital back in June for three dates and I was lucky enough to get tickets to the star's shows.
Being a fan of Swift since I was eight years old, I remember the first time I heard her sing.
She performed on the late Steve Wright’s show where she played ‘Teardrops on My Guitar’ and I was immediately mesmerised.
At that moment, I became a lifelong fan.
Since I first heard that song, I’ve been able to be a ‘Swiftie’ throughout her Grammy-winning career.
I have brought all her albums, own the All Too Well (Taylor’s Version) Red scarf and seen her on the 1989 World Tour in London’s Hyde Park.
Unable to afford tickets to her Reputation tour, I made it my mission to save up and get tickets to see her again for the Eras Tour.
After waiting nearly 10 years and with the help of the Midnights Pre-sale, I was able to do just that and was lucky enough to bag two shows, for 'nosebleed tickets' and standing in June.
Now, in just a few days, thousands more Swifties will be able to see the ‘Mean’ singer and her three-hour Eras show for possibly the first time.
But before you do, here are some things you need to know as a Swiftie who has already seen the star in London.
5 things you need to know for the Eras Tour from a Swiftie
Buy your merch before the show
If you can, try and buy your merch before going to the show and then go back to your accommodation to get ready.
I stayed in a hotel a little past Wembley and was able to buy merch and the stops along Wembley Way and then head to my hotel to get ready, so I didn’t have to carry it around for the show.
Knowing I wanted to buy a fair few items, I didn’t want to carry the bag around or even worse, lose any of the merch.
So, at around 12pm ish, I went to Wembley got the merch then headed to my hotel, eventually checked in, and had my merch all safe in my hotel room and not left to carry it for the show.
Don’t expect to get checked into your hotel early
This was something we learnt the hard way, if you are going to show the day after another show, do not expect to get checked in early.
As you can imagine, hotels are very busy, and staff are working very hard to make sure every Swiftie is happy and that may mean you have to wait until check-in time (typically 3pm).
Be prepared to get ready in the hotel’s lobby or restaurant or get ready very quickly (as I did) but don’t panic.
You won’t miss a thing and everyone else at the hotel is just as excited as you and is properly already singing.
Plan your way home
This was another thing I found out the hard way.
Despite planning our way back to the hotel from Wembley, we were left walking the majority of the hour-long walk.
I didn’t need to use the tube for our hotel, so I had planned what bus to get including where from and what would happen if I couldn’t get on one.
However, even when you make a plan - not everything goes the way it should.
Despite going to the correct bus stop (three times), the high road traffic and amount of people walking meant the buses were very busy or in some cases, not taking passengers.
Walking halfway to the hotel, I was able to get a lift for the other half, however, many others I met at the hotel had not and walked the entire uphill route.
If you’re planning your way home, make sure you have a backup.
You should know the walking route back and have a fully charged phone so you can contact someone if you get lost or need help.
Be prepared for sun and heat
Wembley Stadium is a fantastic venue, but the open-roof spot does not have air conditioning or shade.
It can get very hot when you're in direct sunlight.
Make sure you bring sunglasses, wear sunscreen, have a hat and drink plenty fluids.
The most important thing I can tell you as a Swiftie who’s already been to the Eras Tour is to drink water and stay hydrated, you don’t want to miss out on any of the shows so make sure you’re feeling healthy and hydrated.
You can sit down
The Eras Tour is a long show - it goes on for more than three hours and while there’s no doubt that it’s amazing and worth every second, it can hurt the feet.
Do not feel ashamed if you need to sit down for a while and take the pressure off your feet, I will admit that I did sit down during some of Swift’s slower songs.
RECOMMENDED READING
Ultimate guide of everything you need to know for Taylor Swift Eras Tour Wembley
Know Taylor Swift’s lyrics ‘All too Well’? Prove it with our Eras Tour quiz
Bonus tip - Have fun and enjoy it
A lot of people (me included) have waited a long time to see Swift and the Eras Tour, and you might get overwhelmed and forget to enjoy it.
But, take a minute to take it all in and then have the time of your life, sing every song, dance all night and just enjoy yourself.
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