Monday, December 23, 2024

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

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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.

Taylor Swift fans have began queuing outside the Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh as ahead of the pop sensations third show in the Scottish capital. Taylor Swift fan Chloe Rake, 36 from Leeds, wearing her homemade costume as she queues early for the singers third UK night of her The Eras Tour

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. Fan queue for night three

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. Fan queue for night three

Tin blankets were a look among many of the fans at the show

Tin blankets were a look among many of the fans at the show

Fan queue up for merchandise outside the stadium ahead of her third gig in Edinburgh

Fan queue up for merchandise outside the stadium ahead of her third gig in Edinburgh

Fans opted for custom jackets as they headed into the stadium

Fans opted for custom jackets as they headed into the stadium

One Dad Lee Taylor wore a T-shirt with a reference to the singer's track 22 as he took his daughters Poppy, 11 and Lily, 12 from Aberdeen to the show

One Dad Lee Taylor wore a T-shirt with a reference to the singer’s track 22 as he took his daughters Poppy, 11 and Lily, 12 from Aberdeen to the show

Fans queue up for merchandise ahead of the singer's third UK show

Fans queue up for merchandise ahead of the singer’s third UK show 

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.

Fans hold up pictures of the megastar hours ahead of her show

Fans hold up pictures of the megastar hours ahead of her show

Taylor Swift fans make friendship bracelets in the queue. 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

Taylor Swift fans make friendship bracelets in the queue. 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

Now fans are lining up to get a prime spot at the show, which has won universal acclaim from critics

Now fans are lining up to get a prime spot at the show, which has won universal acclaim from critics

Others wore custom cowboy hats, bedazzled with sections of each of the singer's albums.

Others wore custom cowboy hats, bedazzled with sections of each of the singer’s albums.

Dozens of fans are queuing up for the show, hours before the doors open

Dozens of fans are queuing up for the show, hours before the doors open

Fans wore black jackets with the 'Lover house' on the back. A house from the show with each era in

Fans wore black jackets with the ‘Lover house’ on the back. A house from the show with each era in

Fans wrapped up warm for the show, and slept in the queue

Fans wrapped up warm for the show, and slept in the queue 

People opted for blankets and Taylor Swift merchandise as the waited for the singer

People opted for blankets and Taylor Swift merchandise as the waited for the singer

Fans wore outfits from various Eras ahead of the show

Fans wore outfits from various Eras ahead of 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.

One fan cuddled kitchen roll as she waited in the line

One fan cuddled kitchen roll as she waited in the line

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.

‘There were about 12-tents overnight. It was great, like a little festival.

‘I went to the Sainsbury’s round the corner and bought a cheap duvet and sat up through the night with my friends chatting and playing Taylor Swift songs.

‘We basically went through her set list. It was fantastic, starting the concert early.

‘This morning we got up early, took the tent down and started queuing – people were already here at 5am.

‘I’m really looking forward to tonight, it’s going to be magical.’ 

On Friday and Saturday fans told  how they carried on partying into the early hours after last night’s ‘electric’ three-and-a-half-hour concert which was among the best they have ever seen.

A carnival-like atmosphere took over the streets of Edinburgh after the U.S pop megastar kicked off the UK leg of her sellout Eras Tour with a flawless showstopper of a performance in which she told the adoring 73,000-strong crowd: ‘What a way to welcome a lass to Scotland.’

The 34-year-old drove fans wild when she emerged at Murrayfield Stadium in her signature blue and gold sequined leotard following a riotous warm-up from American pop-punk band Paramore.

Over the course of 46 songs, Taylor shook off a cramp in her hand, witnessed a live proposal, gifted a fan her hat and even suspended a tune so fans could receive medical aid – all in between 12 costume changes.

Now, fans have been seen queuing as early as 7am this morning for tonight’s third gig while most people are ‘still in bed’ recovering.

Jessica McCloud, 41 and her daughter Alexis, 15, had flown from their home in Houston, Texas into the Scottish capital last week especially for the gig.

This Taylor Swift super fan claimed the singer was looking directly at her while singing during last night's gig

This Taylor Swift super fan claimed the singer was looking directly at her while singing during last night’s gig

The fan said: 'I swear I am not hallucinating. This is the closest and most magical night of my life'

The fan said: ‘I swear I am not hallucinating. This is the closest and most magical night of my life’

These two Swifties captioned their TikTok post saying it was the 'best night ever!'

These two Swifties captioned their TikTok post saying it was the ‘best night ever!’

Beth Sumecki (right), 28, from London travelled up to Scotland with mum Tina Conti (left), 60, from Portsmouth

Beth Sumecki (right), 28, from London travelled up to Scotland with mum Tina Conti (left), 60, from Portsmouth 

Jessica McCloud pictured left alongside her daughter Alexis. They both flew in from Houston, Texas to the Scottish capital

Jessica McCloud pictured left alongside her daughter Alexis. They both flew in from Houston, Texas to the Scottish capital

This fan was ecstatic after hearing the two surprise songs that Taylor sang

This fan was ecstatic after hearing the two surprise songs that Taylor sang

Another fan posted to TikTok to share her delight at how close her seat was tothe stage

Another fan posted to TikTok to share her delight at how close her seat was tothe stage

It was the third time they have seen the Anti-Hero singer play live, and Jessica said: ‘Last night was incredible, the crowd were amazing. It was up there with the very best concerns we’ve seen, there’s no doubt. 

‘We saw Taylor Swift a few years ago in Houston on her Reputation tour and then again in Houston during last year’s Eras tour.

‘But we’re huge fans and we’ve never been to Scotland before so booked up the trip and made a holiday out of it.

‘I’m so glad we did because the concert was fantastic, there was even a carnival-type atmosphere before and after when people were walking from the Stadium back to the centre singing Taylor Swift songs.

‘We had a blast and managed to roll into bed around 1am – but there were still people out and about going strong.’

Alexis said: ‘She’d changed some of the choreography from last year and performed some surprise acoustic songs, so she really shook it up and made it quite fresh.

‘Her outfits were so eye catching as well. My personal favourites from last night were the green dress from Evermore and the Vivienne Westwood Tawdry Poets Department dress. She looked and sounded awesome.’

Beth Sumecki, 28, from London travelled up to Scotland with mum Tina Conti, 60, from Portsmouth.

They headed down Edinburgh’s historic Princes Street with their luggage just after 8am this morning clutching cups of much-needed coffee.

Taylor Swift performs at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, she is pictured during the Midnights set

Taylor Swift performs at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, she is pictured during the Midnights set

Taylor Swift performs the Tortured Poets Department in Edinburgh

Taylor Swift performs the Tortured Poets Department in Edinburgh

Beth said: ‘The concert last night was electric, it seemed everyone in the stadium was singing along and knew all the words.

‘We were near the back of the stools but had a great view. Everyone stood up throughout, nobody was sitting down which really added to the energy of the gig.

‘I loved it when she played the surprise songs, especially Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve

‘But I also loved when how towards the end of the gig, when it got darker, the whole stadium lit up with people’s phones and the wrist bands which sparkled in unison. It was magical.’

Tina added: ‘I’ve never been to a Taylor Swift gig until last night, but I’ve been to countless other concerts over the years and what stayed with me is the friendliness of the crowd.

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