How to celebrate the Taylor Swift Eras tour if you don’t have tickets
If you missed out on tickets to Taylor Swift’s Aussie tour, don’t despair. See list of Swiftie events happening in your state.
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The hype around Taylor Swift’s upcoming tour is hitting an all-time high, with the first dates kicking off in Melbourne next Friday.
As if fans weren’t excited enough, Swift caused an absolute frenzy on Monday when she announced that her new album The Tortured Poet’s Department will be out April 19.
Australian businesses have been quick to get on board, with Australian party organisation Superficial already launching tickets for album release parties in Melbourne, Perth, Newcastle, Sydney, Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
Many other businesses have been eager to cash in on Tay Tay fever, with themed events taking over the country this month.
From academic conferences and trivia events to Taylor Swift club nights, there’s an event for you.
Here’s your guide to all of the (unofficial) Swiftie events happening around the country this month.
MELBOURNE
RMIT Fanposium:
February 11, RMIT
Music and culture experts will come together to discuss the impact and phenomenon of Taylor Swift at this sellout event featuring fan submissions from across the globe.
The RMIT event will also feature Australia’s very first public screening of Swift’s 2020 documentary Miss Americana, and give fans a chance to swap friendship bracelets.
Fan study experts and music industry academics – including Dr Catherine Strong (RMIT), Dr Liz Giuffre (UTS), and Australian music writer Cameron Adams – will discuss the singer’s impact on areas such as tourism and the economy. Join the waitlist here.
Friendship bracelet making:
February 11, RMIT
Friendship bracelet making is no doubt the hottest thing at the moment, with eBay reporting that supplies for the bracelets have seen an increase of 15,200 per cent.
To ensure that Swifties are prepared for RMIT’s Fanposium, the UniMelb Swifties club will host two 30 minute friendship bracelet-making sessions prior to the panel event. All supplies will be provided, and the event is open to all those registered for the Fanposium event. Register here.
Melbourne University Swiftposium
February 12-13, Melbourne University
Academics will host a conference to delve into Swift’s influence on music, economics, business, media studies, health, and societal and cultural impact.
While this event won’t be open to the public, two keynote addresses from Rolling Stone Senior Writer Brittany Spanos and fan and celebrity expert Dr Georgia Carroll will be shared online for Swifties wanting to tune in.
Taylor Swift, Feminism, and the Music
February 11, Federation Square
Panel experts will discuss Taylor Swift’s influence as a feminist, artist and businesswoman, as well as her impact on the music industry, fandoms, and other artists.
Hosted by Fed Square, this event is part of Melbourne University’s Swiftposium and will be moderated by The Project presenter and host of new Taylor Swift Podcast Ready For It, Georgia Tunny. Other experts Kate Neal, Kate Pattison, and Eilish Gilligan will lead discussions. Secure your tickets here.
Tay Tay club nights
Superficial, Max Watts
Still want a chance to dress up and scream along to All Too Well (10 minute version, of course)? Travelling club Superficial will be bringing you all of the Gorgeous Swift hits before and after the Eras Tour. The events typically offer Swift-themed drinks and (unofficial) Swift merchandise, with a dance floor fit for all your Shake It Off dancing. Superficial have put together three nights in Melbourne:
– The Eras Warm Up Party, Max Watts, February 15
– The Eras After Party, Max Watts, February 16
– The Eras After Party, Max Watts, February 17
Tickets are available on the Superficial website.
Drag bottomless brunch
February 17, Loop Roof Rooftop Cocktail Bar and Garden Oasis, Melbourne
Sip on a Cruel Summer Mimosa or a Champagne Problems as drag performances by Eliza Lot and Bella Nitrate dazzle with an enchanting soundtrack of Swift’s discography.
A Taylor Swift themed menu is also on the table, making it the perfect way to spend the afternoon before Swift’s second Australian show. Secure your tickets here.
SYDNEY
Friendship bracelets, trivia and paint and sips:
February, Appetite Cafe, Five Dock
Appetite Cafe in Five Dock has planned a full Taylor Takeover for the entire month of February, with Taylor paint and sips, friendship bracelet making, karaoke, and even a cat adoption day planned. Swift themed food — namely, chicken tenders — is also up for grabs, with customers encouraged to make friendship bracelets in between bites. Head to their website for more information.
Sing-along jet boat ride:
February 22-26, Oz Jet Boating Sydney Harbour
Oz Jet Boating has announced they’ll host 30 minute Tay Tay joy rides across the Harbour every day between February 22 and 26. It’s the perfect chance for those travelling to Sydney for the shows to get some sight seeing in while belting it out to a perfectly crafted Swiftie setlist. Friendship bracelets will be given out on each trip to really get into the spirit, with 150 people already booked in for the joy rides. Secure your tickets fast on their website.
Trivia night:
February 18, Soda Factory, Surry Hills
Think you’re Taylor Swift’s biggest fan? Prove it! Soda Factory will play host to a Taylor Swift trivia night with over $200 worth of prizes up for grabs. The Surry Hills venue will present two rounds of Swiftie trivia to tackle while you sip on Lavender Haze and Bad Blood cocktails. Bookings can be made on the Soda Factory website.
Taylor Swift bottomless brunch:
February 10, 17 and 25th, Harry’s by Giuls, Darlinghurst
Darlinghurst Italian restaurant Harry’s by Giuls has hit all stops for the perfect Swiftie gathering, offering bottomless brunch with plenty of photo opportunities — including a life-size cut out of the megastar herself. A DJ will be blaring all of your favourite Taylor tunes while you feast on Get Away Carbs (arancini balls), Antipasto hero, with a free Lavender Haze cocktail on arrival. Friendship bracelets will also be available to trade. Head to the Harry’s by Giuls website to secure your spot.
Karaoke with a live band:
February 15, Soda Factory, Surry Hills
If you missed out on tickets, don’t worry — Soda Factory has pulled together a live band to back your best Tay Tay vocals. Sign ups open from 5pm onwards at the bar, with the event set to kick off from 7pm.
Tay Tay club nights
Home the Venue, Darling Harbour
Travelling club Superficial have got all of your warm up and after-party needs covered, with four events from February 22 sure to get you belting out all of Swift’s hits. The club nights typically have Swift-themed drinks, a killer playlist, and even the odd (unofficial) Swift merchandise on offer. There are four dates in Sydney:
– The Eras Warm Up Party, February 22
– The Eras Afterparty, February 23
– The Eras Afterparty, February 24
– The Eras Afterparty, February 25
Lock in your tickets on the Superficial website.
ADELAIDE
Tay and Paint
February 18, Pinot and Picasso, Norwood
Pinot and Picasso are all set to host a “Swifty Expression Session”, where Swifties will be encouraged to unleash their creativity. A soundtrack of Swift anthems will help spark inspiration for crafty Swifties, with events set up across Adelaide, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.
Friendship bracelet making:
February 13, Torrens Valley Community Centre, Gumeracha
Adelaide Hills Council has planned a friendship bracelet making day in Gumeracha at the Torrens Valley Community Centre for fans as young as eight years old. All supplies will be provided at the February 13 event, and you might even snag a tip or two. Taylor Swift videos up on the screen are a must, too, as fans get concert ready.
The council has also set up a second friendship bracelet making event in Norton Summit at the community centre on February 15.
QUEENSLAND
Paint, Sip and Sing
February 17, Rose Soiree, Bulimba
Crafty fans will be able to unleash their inner artist, painting mirror balls on vinyls with a glass of Rose provided on arrival. With a playlist of Tay Tay hits, Swifties will have the chance to create their own artwork with BYO snacks, drinks, and a lounge area to snap some photos. Tickets available on the Rose Soiree website.
Super Swiftie event
February 17, Paradise Resort, Surfers Paradise
The Paradise Resort has planned an all-out Super Swiftie event, with friendship bracelet making, live performances, Swift trivia, and a photo booth. The mammoth event will also give Swifties the chance to scream along to all of Swift’s best bridges, with karaoke and a dance party also set to rage on. Tickets available here.
Drag paint and sip
February 24, Nerang RSL, Nerang
The Nerang RSL will host a Swift Lover themed paint and sip, though attendees are invited to take inspiration from their own favourite eras. Queen Terry Daktyl will stun with Swift themed performances, while the pop star's’s discography plays out. More information on the Nerang RSL website.
The Eras Paint Party
February 16, The Craft Haven, Clontarf
Swifties will have the chance to decorate mugs, plates, and other pottery items with their favourite Tay Tay eras. Expert instructors will guide participants through the whole process, with a Lavendar Haze mocktail provided on arrival. Tickets available here.
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