The Eras Tour is Taylor Swift’s upcoming sixth concert tour, beginning in March 2023 and continuing through August 2023. The tour is in support of Swift’s 10th studio album Midnights, released in October 2022. Fans are eager to know if the tour will be coming to London, one of the world’s most iconic music cities.
Is the Eras Tour coming to London?
The short answer is yes, the Eras Tour will be coming to London for two nights on June 22 and 23, 2023. Swift will be performing at London’s Hyde Park, with opening acts to be announced at a later date. This marks Swift’s first concerts in London since 2018.
Why is London an important tour stop for Taylor Swift?
As one of the biggest music stars in the world, London is an essential market for Swift to play. Some key reasons London is a crucial tour stop:
- Huge fanbase – Swift has millions of passionate fans in the UK eager to see her live.
- Major world city – London is a globally renowned metropolis and entertainment hub.
- Historic music town – London has an incredibly rich music history as the birthplace of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Amy Winehouse and many more.
- Massive tourism market – Over 19 million tourists visited London in 2019, providing a huge audience base for concerts.
- Prestige venue – Headlining massive sites like Hyde Park adds to Swift’s aura as an iconic live performer.
Playing major London shows allows Swift to solidify her status as a transcendent pop star with worldwide appeal.
Taylor Swift’s History in London
While the Eras Tour marks Swift’s first London concerts in 5 years, she has cultivated a close relationship with the city throughout her career.
Major London Concerts
Some key London concerts over Swift’s career:
| Year | Venue | Tour |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Shepherd’s Bush Empire | Fearless Tour |
| 2011 | O2 Arena | Speak Now World Tour |
| 2013 | O2 Arena | Red Tour |
| 2018 | Wembley Stadium | Reputation Stadium Tour |
| 2023 | Hyde Park | The Eras Tour |
As shown, Swift has played a mix of venues over the years, graduating to larger stadiums as her stardom expanded.
Other London Moments
Beyond her concerts, Swift has had other major moments in London:
- 2012 – Attended the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards and performed “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
- 2014 – Played a private acoustic set at the Victoria & Albert Museum
- 2015 – Co-hosted the Brit Awards and performed “Blank Space”
- 2018 – Filmed the “Look What You Made Me Do” music video in London
She has also given several interviews and performances on British television over the years. It’s clear London has become a second home for Swift.
Swift’s Relationship with British Music Fans
What has led to Swift building such a devoted fanbase in the UK and London specifically?
Appreciation for British Music Culture
Swift has frequently expressed her appreciation for British pop and rock music. Some of her biggest influences include The Beatles, The Smiths, Ed Sheeran and Phil Collins. This admiration for British artists helped forge a strong connection with local fans.
Collaborations with British Acts
Swift has collaborated with several major British music stars over her career:
- Ed Sheeran – “Everything Has Changed” (2012), “End Game” (2017)
- Robbie Williams – “Handsome” (2012)
- Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol – “The Last Time” (2012)
- Calvin Harris – “I Did Something Bad” (2017)
These duets with popular U.K. acts expanded Swift’s fanbase and radio play in the country.
Repeated Visits to the UK
Beyond her tours, Swift makes frequent trips to England for visits and vacations. She has been spotted around London, Manchester, and other locales, showing her comfort level in the U.K. Her presence reinforces the close connection she’s built with British supporters.
High Demand and Sold Out Shows
Given her tight bond with U.K. fans, it’s no surprise Swift’s London shows sold out rapidly.
Over 300,000 Tickets Sold
When Swift’s London concerts were announced in November 2022, over 300,000 tickets were sold in the first 24 hours. Two nights were immediately added to meet skyrocketing demand.
Most Popular Ticketed Event Ever at Hyde Park
With over 150,000 tickets sold on the first day, Swift’s Hyde Park shows broke the record for the most popular ever ticketed event at the venue. This surpassed previous high marks by The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and others.
Fans Camped Out Overnight for Tickets
Reports indicated dedicated Swifties camped out overnight outside box offices in London, Manchester, and other cities to get tickets. This level of devotion is unmatched in pop music today.
Resale Prices Are Astronomical
Given the limited capacity at Hyde Park and massive demand, resale prices on secondary markets have gone for astronomical amounts – some over £5,000 per ticket. This far exceeds the costs for other artists.
The unprecedented rush for tickets affirms Taylor Swift’s rare popularity and cultural impact.
What to Expect from the London Concerts
With the London stops on the Eras Tour confirmed, what can fans expect from the shows?
A Spanning Setlist
As “The Eras Tour” name implies, Swift will likely perform hits from throughout her discography. Expect to hear chart-toppers from albums like Red, 1989, reputation, and more. There will also surely be plenty of tracks from her newest album, Midnights.
Elaborate Production
Swift’s live shows are famous for their state-of-the-art special effects, pyrotechnics, intricate costumes, and massive video displays. She will pull out all the stops for her long-awaited London return.
Rotating Opening Acts
While no openers have been announced yet, Swift often brings out guest artists and changes up supports. British singer-songwriters like Ed Sheeran or Dua Lipa could make surprise appearances.
Passionate Crowd Energy
Swift has one of music’s most dedicated fanbases, who will certainly provide a rapturous reception in London. Expect a sea of light-up wristbands, nonstop singalongs and plenty of tears.
Night 2 Surprises
With two nights scheduled, the second London show could feature special additions like rare b-sides, guest stars, a longer setlist, or unique covers. Swift loves surprising fans.
No matter what, Swift’s millions of U.K. supporters will surely provide an electric atmosphere at Hyde Park next June.
London Setlist Predictions
While the full setlist won’t be revealed until showtime, we can make some educated guesses about what Swift might play in London based on her recent shows:
| Song Name | Album | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| “All Too Well” | Red | Extremely High |
| “Blank Space” | 1989 | Extremely High |
| “Shake It Off” | 1989 | Extremely High |
| “Love Story” | Fearless | High |
| “You Belong With Me” | Fearless | High |
| “I Knew You Were Trouble” | Red | High |
| “Wildest Dreams” | 1989 | Moderate |
| “Cardigan” | Folklore | Moderate |
| “Exile” | Folklore | Moderate |
| “Anti-Hero” | Midnights | High |
Of course, there will also be plenty of surprises and rare appearances by older tracks and deep cuts to delight the London crowds.
Impact of the Concerts in London
Beyond just two nights of entertainment, Swift’s London concerts on the Eras Tour will have a major impact:
Economic Windfall
With over 150,000 total attendees, the London shows will generate a huge economic boost for local businesses like hotels, restaurants, transportation and more. The city will see a swarm of domestic and international Swifties.
Publicity for London
High-profile concerts always generate valuable media coverage and promotion for the host city. News and content from Swift’s shows will highlight London’s culture on a global scale.
Inspiration for Local Artists
Seeing Swift command such massive crowds will undoubtedly inspire London’s next generation of artists. Her concerts can motivate local talent.
Unforgettable Memories
Most importantly, the shows will create once-in-a-lifetime memories for London Swift fans. They will cherish getting to see their idol live in their hometown.
The excitement and joy around Swift’s London concerts exemplify the special cultural moments that live music can create.
Conclusion
After a five year absence, Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated return to London for two nights at Hyde Park next June promises to be one of the live music events of the decade. The unprecedented ticket demand reflects her special connection with U.K. fans cultivated over her decorated career. Swift’s spectacular concerts will be a celebration of world-class pop music and surely create lifelong memories for ecstatic local Swifties. London is ready to give their heroine a rapturous reception next summer.