London, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 16th Aug, 2024) Taylor Swift kicked off the first of five sold-out London shows on Thursday, taking the stage a week after concerts in Vienna were canceled due to of a foiled suicide attack. plot
The return of the American star to the Wembley Stadium, where he performed three nights in June, completed the European leg of his “Eras” tour which has been rushed.
In addition to the events in Vienna, the performances come two weeks after three girls were killed in a mass stabbing at a dance class themed around their music in northwest England.
The 34-year-old appeared on stage at Wembley for her hit song ’22’ wearing a T-shirt bearing the words ‘a lot going on at the moment’ – a fashion statement interpreted as a reference to the two incidents.
Fans flocked to Wembley to enjoy the pre-concert atmosphere, despite heightened security.
Three alleged sympathizers of the Islamic State group have been arrested in Austria over a plan to launch an attack with explosives and knives at Swift’s concerts.
London police said there was “nothing to indicate” any link between the events in Vienna and Swift’s concerts in the British capital in front of 90,000 fans.
But it was working “closely with local security teams and other partners to ensure there are appropriate security and policing plans in place.”
– “Concerns” –
The extra security, including extra ticket checks, hundreds of stewards and extra restrictions, did not dampen the spirits of the so-called “Swifties” out in force on Thursday.
“It doesn’t feel real, what’s really happening!” Katie Moulson, 24, told AFP when she arrived at Wembley.
Fans were decked out in sparkly skirts, tasselled jackets, cowboy hats and stacks of friendship bracelets as they descended on northwest London.
“After Vienna, it’s good to hear they’ve increased security,” student Brodie MacArthur, 23, told AFP as she arrived in a long white dress inspired by Swift’s latest album, “The department of tortured poets”.
“In the back of your head, there are always worries. But there are a lot of people here to keep you safe,” he added.
Following the knife attack in the UK, Swift said she was “completely in shock” and at a “complete loss as to how I would ever convey my sympathies to these families”.
Their fans launched a fundraiser for the victims, which raised almost £400,000 ($514,000) under the banner “Swifties for Southport”.
The tragedy “made me realize how much Swifties need each other,” MacArthur noted. “Because obviously there have been such horrific events, which have only brought us together more.”
Swift has not yet commented on the storyline about the Vienna shows.
“I think she’s just ready to come back and do it,” said Lauren Thies, 19, who has attended five previous Swift concerts with her mother, Denise.
“He likes to perform for his fans,” added the teenager.
– “Anticipation” –
Fans from around the world have traveled to Wembley, where Swift is performing more shows on her ‘Eras’ tour than anywhere else.
“I was worried, because this is the first concert after this (Vienna). So I was afraid to look at my phone and see something,” said Denise, who flew with Lauren from the US state of New Jersey.
“I was really nervous, I thought for sure she would consider canceling her shows here,” said Juan Ramirez, 28, another American who took an 11-hour flight from California for the event.
“It’s been an agonizing anticipation of the concert. But we’re finally here and I love it,” added Ramirez, dressed in a pink outfit, including a bandana and heart-shaped sunglasses.
Before the show, fans sang Swift’s songs and exchanged bracelets, a tradition among Swifties during the tour.
Moulson, from Suffolk in eastern England, and dressed in sparkly DIY purple boots and a tinsel-lined jacket, made wristbands for some of the security guards.
Denise said she made more than 400 bracelets for her daughter and her friends.
Both have a list of London places mentioned in Swift’s songs that they visit after the concert, including the Black Dog pub in Vauxhall, south London, named in her latest album.
“Since she’s doing five nights here. It’s going to be very meaningful for her,” Lauren said about the concert.
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