A mega fan who attended two of Taylor Swift’s shows in Melbourne has offered her “must-have” advice for those attending the Sydney Eras concerts this weekend.
Lucy Wilson shared her tried-and-tested tips with Sydney Swifties so they can make the most of their next Eras experience.
It recommended ways to stay warm and comfortable all night, shop for products without queues, and make the most of your phone’s battery during the mammoth event.
Lucy also suggested using earplugs to reduce hearing damage and checking what ticket holders can and cannot bring into the venue.
The fan also reminded those going to one of Swift’s four shows in Sydney to “live in the moment” and not get stuck trying to film everything on their phone.
THE RIGHT TIME TO BUY GOODS
Lucy said those wanting to get their hands on a piece of coveted Taylor Swift merchandise should visit the stalls set up outside Accor Stadium in the days leading up to the first show.
‘The MCG had two on Wednesday and Thursday and I went to the one on Wednesday. I didn’t even have to stand in line because there was no one there,” he said in a TikTok video.
“Because we did that, we didn’t have to get there at four or whenever the doors opened.”
However, in Sydney, merchandise tents have already appeared outside the venue with thousands of Swifties already queuing.
Some were in line as early as 4 a.m., prompting organizers to open the stalls an hour earlier than planned, at 10 a.m.
WHAT TIME TO ARRIVE
At the Melbourne show, some enthusiastic Swifties arrived at the MCG when the doors opened at 4:30
However, Lucy said it would be fine to wait until closer to 6pm before opening act Sabrina Carpenter takes the stage.
“Since you have reserved seats, I don’t think you have to arrive at four,” he said.
“Both nights I arrived around 6pm, so about 20 minutes before, Sabrina showed up and we were fine.”
Mega Swiftie Lucy Wilson has revealed her top tips and tricks for those attending Taylor Swift’s upcoming shows in Sydney after attending two of Melbourne Eras’ concerts.
KNOW HOW TO SCAN YOUR TICKET
Lucy said while the rules may be different at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, she said one annoying detail caused confusion and delays at the MCG gates.
He explained that those who have their tickets in the Ticketek app or as an email attachment will have a barcode that can be scanned at the gates.
However, those who add their ticket to their Apple Wallet can tap their phones like they do with a myki or PayPass.
“A lot of people were getting confused by that, so it was holding up the line,” Lucy said.
WHAT BAG TO CARRY
Accor Stadium only allows customers to bring a bag no larger than an A4 sheet of paper.
Lucy said she was allowed to bring her Taylor Swift tote bag, which is a little bigger and even fits a second pair of shoes, a jumper and some leggings inside.
He said security did not do many bag checks as it would have delayed 96,000 people entering the stadium, but reminded Sydney Swifties to check entry conditions at Accor Stadium to be safe.
Lucy wore a stunning cream corset with beaded fringe and pleated skirt at a show and recommended people bring a comfortable change of clothes and a jumper to stay warm.
WHAT TO WEAR
Those who were lucky enough to get tickets to the Eras have been planning their outfits for months, many with sequins, others with corsets and some with high-heeled cowboy boots.
Lucy wore a stunning cream corset with beaded fringe and pleated skirt, but said her top started to feel uncomfortable during Taylor’s three-hour set.
He recommended bringing a change of clothes or comfortable shoes if your clothing starts to prevent you from enjoying the show or the long train ride home.
‘The first night I took off the corset and put on a sweater because my back hurt. If your clothing is uncomfortable, think about those things,’ she suggested.
“The first night my shoes hurt so much, so I was just in socks, but the second night I brought some Birkenstocks and that was the best.”
Lucy said those sitting high in the stands should consider bringing a sweater to stay warm.
‘I would definitely bring a sweater. “I get very cold easily, but when we were having nosebleeds, it was too cold, too windy, and too much to walk home,” she said.
‘If you can, I would bring you comfortable clothes for the train ride home. The first night I trained alone at home and I was cold and uncomfortable.’
Lucy said she was allowed to bring her Taylor Swift tote bag, which is slightly larger than the A4 size requirements and even fits a spare pair of shoes, a jumper and a pair of leggings inside.
PROTECT YOUR EARS
Lucy said she would wear earplugs if she could do the night again because the crowd, not the music, was so loud.
‘The second night, my friend and I looked at each other and said, ‘Oh my God,’ we had to cover our ears, it hurt. “I would put earplugs on, they can hurt your ears,” he said.
“(That) was just for the Champagne Problems applause, not the whole concert, but still, just because it doesn’t hurt doesn’t mean it’s not harmful.”
NON-PROFESSIONAL CAMERAS ARE ALLOWED
Lucy said she wanted to bring her Canon G7
‘He said there were no professional cameras, but you could bring digital cameras, so people weren’t sure. I didn’t think you could, but also they don’t check your bags,” she said.
“From what I understand, you can bring a digital camera or a Canon G7 X or anything like that, but no professional cameras with interchangeable lenses.”
Accor Stadium guidelines say small handheld cameras are allowed, but professional photography equipment is prohibited, as are selfie sticks, drones, flashlights, laptops, tablets or digital readers.
Lucy filmed her favorite songs but said she wouldn’t watch the show through a screen: ‘I don’t want to be filming all the time, I want to live in the moment’
BE A TECHNOLOGY EXPERT
Lucy highly recommended bringing a small portable smartphone charger so the battery lasts all night.
Only personal chargers smaller than the size of your phone are allowed, so it’s best to leave large batteries at home.
He also said to empty your phone’s storage before the show so there’s enough space to capture all your favorite songs.
“I have iCloud storage, which helped, but because I wasn’t connected to WiFi it wouldn’t update and I was left with no storage on my phone,” Lucy said.
“My phone would overload a lot and wouldn’t turn on during 1989, it would just freeze and I couldn’t fix it.”
LIVE AND ENJOY THE MOMENT
Although Lucy filmed much of the show herself, she said it’s important not to watch it through a screen.
‘Be in the moment and enjoy. Think: when you go to concerts and film everything, do you really see them again? she asked.
‘You can be a person who does that and in that case, film everything, but I was thinking that normally I don’t watch the videos and I don’t want to spend all my time filming, I want to live in the moment.’
He said he filmed some intros, choruses and bridges to a handful of his favorite songs, but for the most part he had fun dancing and not worrying about the recording.
“It was one of those concerts where I thought, ‘Would I rather have it on film to remember it or would I rather do it all in the moment?’ And that’s what I chose.”