The day we have all been waiting for has finally arrived: Taylor Swift is performing her first show in Australia tonight.
We repeat: Taylor Swift is finally performing her first The Eras Tour show in Australia tonight.
It’s been a long time coming, we can tell you that for free, with many cheers and tears (see: The Great Ticketing War) being encountered along the way.
And it’s not just a big not for us Aussie Swifties – it’s actually predicted to be a history-making evening for Swift herself, as the first Melbourne show is set to be her biggest audience ever of at least 86,000 fans.
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That will be a personal record for the Lavender Haze singer, who is coming off a monumental year into an even bigger one.
“I think this is next level by any standards. She is clearly the hottest artist on the planet and just keeps getting hotter and hotter and hotter,” Nine’s Entertainment Editor Richard Wilkins told 9honey Celebrity this week, saying the fanaticism around Swift is nothing like he’s ever seen before.
As we count down the hours, minutes and then seconds until we hear the first strains of Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, follow along with 9honey Celebrity’s live blog for all the latest news and updates you need to know.
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Hope for ticket Hail Mary to be answered last-minute
Our reporter on the ground at the MCG, Allanah Sciberras, has encountered some Swift superfans who are praying for a miracle.
Michelle and ‘Swift’ are hopeful they can score some last minute tickets. The pair are currently sitting outside of the MCG with handwritten signs.
“I just love her music and how she helps people and she is so nice and kind,” the youngster said.
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Swifties have been lining up in Melbourne since 6am, but not for the concert
They’ve been lining up for Swift-inspired tattoos!
Melbourne tattoo studio Fine Line Tattoos have opened up their studio for walk-ins over three days to celebrate Swift’s arrival Down Under, making it so fans don’t have to book in an appointment to get a bespoke Swift-themed tattoo.
The studio is open from 9am to 5pm today, Saturday and Sunday, but some fans started lining up at 6am this morning – it is first in, best dressed after all.
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MCG boss’ warning to Taylor Swift fans ahead of her show tonight
Melbourne Cricket Club CEO Stuart Fox has issued a word of advice for fans who are heading to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for Swift’s show tonight, urging concertgoers to arrive at the precinct early.
Although Swift isn’t set to take to the stage until 8pm AEDT tonight, Fox has said that because several other major events are taking place in the area tonight, he would suggest leaving for the concert early.
“There’s going to be a lot of congestion … I’d certainly be making tracks at about 3 o’clock,” Fox told 3AW’s Breakfast with Ross and Russel this morning.
See what the MCG looks like now here.
Scammers targeting desperate fans already
Ticket scalpers (and many scammers) are flooding social media pages already with claims of last-minute sales for Swift tickets in Melbourne tonight.
Scammers have been targeting Swifties for the past several months and several official outlets have warned fans to be on the lookout for fake sellers.
A spokesperson for Scamwatch told 9honey that they are aware of scams associated with Taylor Swift tickets on social media.
“This has been particularly prevalent in NSW and Victoria. We have received reports of tickets being sold on social media where accounts have been compromised by scammers,” they said.
Basically, unless you want to risk losing your money, don’t try to purchase tickets outside of the official Ticketek Fan to Fan Marketplace.
Read more here.
What would you give to go to Taylor Swift’s first Australian show?
One Adelaide woman is skipping her aunt’s funeral to attend Swift’s show in Melbourne tonight, choosing to fly to Victoria from South Australia rather than attend the memorial this afternoon.
“I’m a really big Swiftie, I would do anything, well clearly if I am missing a funeral,” she told 107.1 SAFM’s Bec & Soda For Breakfast yesterday.
“The body is being flown from Queensland, it’s a really big deal, there is going to be so many family members there, and I am willing to upset everyone to go.”
The best outfits Taylor Swift has worn on her Eras tour
Your outfit for Taylor Swift’s Australian Eras Tour shows, sorted
Well… it’s probably too late to order these before Swift’s Melbourne show this evening, but the items below will likely come in time for her Sydney shows.
Click the image below for outfit inspiration ahead of Taylor Swift’s Sydney shows next weekend.
Will Travis Kelce be joining Taylor Swift in Australia?
Maybe… probably…. it’s likely.
That’s according to 9honey’s Taylor Swift expert Jemima Skelley, who says the NFL star has “all but confirmed that he will be coming Down Under” now that his season has officially ended (with a truly stunning Super Bowl victory, no less).
It’s unlikely, however, that he’ll make it in time for Swift’s first Melbourne show tonight, with Swift touching down in the early hours of Thursday morning without her boyfriend.
READ MORE: Accor Stadium gives fans sneak peek of Sydney Eras Tour setup
How to access your tickets for Taylor Swift’s Melbourne show tonight
There is one thing Melbourne ticketholders must do as soon as possible to ensure easy entry this afternoon, a spokesperson for Ticketek warns.
“The most important message is to make sure that fans download the Ticketek app and add their ticket to their Google or Apple Wallet ASAP,” the Ticketek spokesperson urges.
Click here for everything you need to know about how to access your Taylor Swift tickets.
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Stadium rules you need to know for Taylor Swift’s Melbourne shows
So you’ve bought the tickets, have them downloaded to your Google or Apple Wallets, have your costumes on and you’re on your way to the stadium – there are some rules you should know to make sure you’re actually let in.
These rules include what bags you’re allowed to bring in, and how many friendship bracelets you can have with you.
What to pack for Taylor Swift’s Australian Eras Tour shows
Are you ready for it?
Click the image below to see everything you should have in your bag to survive Swift’s marathon concerts.
