Taylor Swift ‘Eras Tour’ arrives in Scotland as the UK braces for greatest live tour on Earth – Herald.Wales

Taylor Swift has expressed her excitement to be back in Scotland, stating, “Every time I perform in Scotland it honestly feels like I am coming home.”

Tonight, Swift, 34, will make history by launching the largest pop shows in Scottish history as part of her £1 billion Eras world tour. The first of three sold-out concerts at Edinburgh’s Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium will entertain 220,000 fans.

The “Tortured Poets Department” hitmaker, who last performed in Scotland at Glasgow’s Hydro in 2015, will play for 3.5 hours each night. Fans have flocked to Edinburgh for what has been dubbed “the tour of a generation.”

Swift’s performance will include 46 of her best-loved songs from 10 albums, featuring 16 costume changes. Ellie Poulter, 19, was among the first in line, arriving 48 hours before the show. Ellie shared her excitement, saying, “I’ve been waiting a year for this. I’m excited for the surprise songs but more so for ‘Reputation’ because that’s my favourite album.”

The concerts are expected to boost the local economy by £80 million, with Edinburgh hotels reporting increased bookings and local bars and restaurants offering Swift-themed cocktails and menus.

Robert Aldridge, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, welcomed Swift, saying, “These performances are set to be some of the biggest and most spectacular the country has ever seen and are expected to inject tens of millions of pounds into our city’s economy. We ask that visitors are respectful and considerate of our residents whilst enjoying our fantastic city.”

Fans began gathering outside the stadium from Wednesday morning to purchase tour merchandise, with items such as £70 hoodies, £40 tees, £30 bracelets, and £25 totes adding to the tour’s revenue. Julia Baldwin, a 21-year-old student at Edinburgh University, spent £1,300 on tickets for all three nights. Julia explained, “I wanted to remember the shows, so by night three, I’ll be a bit more mellowed and will remember things.”

By the end of the tour, Swift will have performed 152 Eras shows across 54 cities worldwide, including dates in Liverpool, Cardiff, and eight sold-out Wembley Stadium concerts. She broke a Ticketmaster record by selling over 2.4 million tickets in a single day during the presale.

Among the celebrities attending Murrayfield is “Outlander” star Sam Heughan, 44, who joked about wooing Swift away from her current boyfriend, American footballer Travis Kelce.

Ticket holders with early entry will access the venue from 3pm, with general admission opening at 4pm. The show will begin at 6pm with support act Paramore before Swift’s anticipated performance.

To ensure the safety of concertgoers, a substantial police operation is in place. Superintendent David Happs stated, “A proportionate and comprehensive policing plan is in place ahead of the Taylor Swift concerts at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh on Friday 7, Saturday 8, and Sunday 9 June.”

Swift, who will perform for 3.5 hours each night, will maintain her energy with ginger shots and IV drips, ensuring she delivers unforgettable performances.