Taylor Swift was joined by her “best friend” Ed Sheeran as she kicked off the final part of the European leg of the Eras Tour on Thursday evening at London’s Wembley Stadium. Performing a mix of the two songs they’ve made together, “Everything Has Changed” and “End Game,” Swift thanked Sheeran for appearing alongside her to perform to a sell-out crowd of 92,000 fans.
First Performance Since Vienna and Southport Tragedies- Taylor Swift
This concert marked Taylor Swift’s first performance since the cancellation of shows in Vienna last week due to a terror threat. It was also the first time she’d returned to the UK since an attack in Southport last month, where three children were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Although the BBC understands that Swift has privately reached out to the families affected by the attacks, she did not reference either event during the show.
Ed Sheeran’s Surprise Appearance
During the surprise acoustic section of the evening, Ed Sheeran’s appearance prompted a huge roar from the 92,000 audience members. The pair performed a mash-up of their 2012 hit “Everything Has Changed” and their 2017 collaboration “End Game.” Swift then returned the favor by duetting on Sheeran’s mega-ballad “Thinking Out Loud.” She described Sheeran as “one of my best friends in the world” and expressed her gratitude for his willingness to join her despite being on his own tour.
A Night of Hits and Emotional Moments
The 34-year-old global superstar delivered a breathless run of 46 of her greatest hits, with a runtime of more than three hours. Although Swift’s interactions with the audience stayed on script, she did share how overwhelming the crowd size felt while introducing the Folklore and Evermore era of the evening. She expressed her emotions, noting that she would miss performing to such large crowds.
Security Measures and Record-Breaking Shows
More security had been put in place ahead of Swift’s Wembley run, which ends on Tuesday. Non-ticket holders were banned from standing outside the stadium during the show, a practice known as “Tay-gating.” Her shows at Wembley, which also take place on Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday evening, are expected to set a Wembley record, equaling a record previously set by Take That in 2011.
A Global Tour with More to Come
Including songs from ten of her studio albums, Swift’s setlist features 46 songs, 16 costume changes, and a total runtime of more than three hours. The tour, which will end later this year, has traveled all over the globe. After starting in Glendale, Arizona, in March last year, Swift spent six months in the US before heading to gigs south of the border in Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. This year began with shows in Japan, Australia, and Singapore before the European leg started in France in March, and the first UK dates in Edinburgh in June. Swift is set to head back to the US and Canada to finish the tour later in 2024.
