Taylor Swift fixes ‘crime against Sydney’ as fans erupt: ‘I’m crying’

The biggest scream of the night erupted from crowds after Taylor Swift announced she was going to fix a “crime against Sydney”.

Taylor Swift pandemonium took over Sydney on Friday as the singer performed her first blockbuster opening concert.

More than 81,000 people flocked to Accor Stadium for the first of Swift’s four Eras Tour shows, with the 14-time Grammy winner hitting the stage a bit after 7.30pm.

She was without her support act, 24-year-old Sabrina Carpenter, because bad weather and the threat of lightning meant there was no time for her to perform before Swift took the stage.

But in a sweet moment that sent fans wild, Swift invited Carpenter to join her for a duet late on the show because it was a “crime against Sydney” that she hadn’t got to perform.

Travis’ sweet tribute to Taylor

Travis showed his solidarity with other Swifties on Friday by wearing friendship bracelets.

The retro fashion trend has well and truly made a comeback thanks to Swift, with fans wearing the bracelets to live shows in order to swap with one another and show their appreciation for the singer.

It seems like Travis was fully on board with the fashion accessory and donned several bracelets on each arm.

@kyleandjackieo

😍#TravisKelce is at night 1 of #TheErasTour in Sydney!!! #TaylorSwift

♬ ootw x lwymmd - wonderstruck

Star shares pictures of fun night with Kelce

Rita Ora shared her own pictures from the VIP section tonight, including one with Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce.

Ora and Kelce both flashed wide smiles as Swift could be seen performing in the background.

More pictures from the VIP area

Our reporter Nick Bond has been at the Accor Stadium tonight and has taken these pictures of the VIP area.

Katy Perry and Travis Kelce were seen standing side-by-side in one shot, enjoying one of Swift’s songs.

In another, Perry and Rita Ora can be seen sharing a joke.

Rita Ora, Katy Perry and Taika Waititi in the VIP area. (Pic: Nick Bond)

Katy Perry chatting to Rita Ora.

Travis Kelce standing next to Katy Perry.

“No one saw that one coming”

Fans went into meltdown after Taylor Swift decided to bring on her support act Sabrina Carpenter whose performance was cancelled due to bad weather.

The singer said it was a “crime against Sydney” that Carpenter didn’t get to do her warm up set as the pair sat down to perform a cover of White Horse.

Fans erupted after Swift brought on support act Sabrina Carpenter for a duet.

The duet got one of the biggest screams of the night with some fans online saying they were “crying”.

“I’m crying,” one said as another added “No one saw that one coming”.

Albanese, Morrison at Swift show

The Sydney concert is awash with celebrities but pollies are also out in numbers.

Anthony Albanese, sporting a number of friendship bracelets, is in attendance with partner Jodie Haydon.

Not to be outdone former prime minister Scott Morrison is also there wearing a very bright pink shirt and hat.

Scott Morrison and family at the Sydney show tonight. Picture: X / Scott Morrison

Wife Jen and his two teenage daughters are with him.

“All reddy tonight for the Morrison’s third Swifty family concert (1989 our first all together),” he wrote on X.

“So many having such a great night. Enjoy everyone.”

Touching moment sums up Swift’s tour

Taylor Swift did more than entertain on Friday night. She made one young girl’s dream come true.

Just as she did at her Melbourne shows, Swift made a point of stopping to give a signed hat to a fan in the crowd. But on Friday night, it wasn’t just any fan.

It was nine-year-old Perth girl Scarlett, who has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Earlier in the day, Scarlett’s stepmother wrote on social media that her little girl’s wish was to meet her idol after being given just 12-18 months to live.

“Scarlett was granted a ‘Wish’ from the Make A Wish Foundation and her wish was to meet Taylor Swift,” she wrote.

“Unfortunately, they told us this wasn’t possible so through the power of social media and some generous people we made attending the concert happen and got tickets.”

She shared a picture of Scarlett with a poster that read: “Taylor can I have the 22 hat please?”

The 22 hat is a reference to Swift’s tradition of giving away her signature fedora while singing the song 22.

And that is exactly what happened to little Scarlett. Swift brought Scarlett up to the stage, hugged her, handed over the hat and kissed her hands.”

i just saw this post on facebook and it’s the sweetest thing!! she deserves it so much!! pls @[e-mail]/8bNsq5QbmD

— IM SEEING TAYLOR TODAY (@PERFECTNOWSWIFT) February 22, 2024

THE 22 HAT TONIGHT 😭😭😭😭😭😭#SydneyTSTheErasTourpic.twitter.com/4pp3qUsdtE

— jake (eras tour TODAY) (@taylorsrep13) February 23, 2024

Travis, Katy Perry take in Swift show together

Taylor Swift isn’t the only huge popstar in Sydney tonight — or even at her show.

In the crowd are Katy Perry and Rita Ora.

Eagle-eyed fans spotted Perry in the VIP section taking in night one of Swift’s Sydney tour next to the megastar’s NFL player boyfriend Travis Kelce.

One fan on social media summed up things nicely, writing: “Not to be dramatic but

Katy Perry being at the Eras Tour in Sydney is too much pop legendness to handle in one night.”

Taylor’s sweet moment with Sydney fans

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is for many Australian fans the highlight of their year.

But it is not a one-way street.

Speaking to the crowd of 81,000 at Accor Stadium on Friday night (after a tumultuous start due to rain and the threats of lightning and hail), Swift spoke lovingly of what it means to tour Down Under.

Last week she told Melbourne crowds that she was shocked at the reception they gave her. But for Sydney fans she had something special, too, revealing her love for the city.

“I really can’t believe I get to do this most of the time,” she said.

“Sydney is such a special place in my heart, we have so many amazing memories here.”

Swift made new memories this week after landing in the harbour city with boyfriend Travis Kelce.

The pair were spotted at Surry Hills restaurants and strolling arm-in-arm through Taronga Zoo.

Taylor Swift performs on stage during a concert as part of her Eras World Tour in Sydney on Friday night. Picture: David Gray/AFP

Travis Kelce spotted as Swift praises Aussies

Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce has been spotted walking into the Sydney show as fans prepared to welcome his megastar girlfriend on stage.

Surrounded by security and dressed in a blue shirt and shorts, the NFL star waved to fans as he walked towards his seat — some screaming with excitement.

travis arriving at tonight’s show! #ErasTourSydneypic.twitter.com/4I4EhwIqrr

— Tayvis Nation 🏈🫶🏻 (@tayvisnation) February 23, 2024

As Swift took to the stage, she gave credit to Aussies who had come out to support her despite the bad weather.

“We have a little bit of a weather situation, we might have some rain, but I’ve never known an Aussie crowd to let that get in the way of having a good time,” she told the crowd of 81,000.

Swift’s support act cancelled after weather delay

Taylor Swift’s first Sydney show will go ahead, but there has been one casualty — the support act, Sabrina Carpenter.

The 24-year-old, who shot to fame as a Disney Princess, thrilled fans in Melbourne last week.

As a result, streams of her music on Spotify are through the roof.

But she won’t take the stage at Accor Stadium on Friday night because wild weather pushed the show back by more than an hour.

Swift’s performance lasts three hours and her start time of 7.30pm has already been delayed.

“Sabrina Carpenter will unfortunately not be opening up for Night 1 of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Sydney,” the official Eras Tour account wrote on social media platform X.

On Facebook live videos from the show, fans wrote “I’m so gutted, loved her in Melbourne” and “Why isn’t Sabrina doing it?”

A huge clean-up effort is underway after heavy rain poured down over Olympic Park about 6pm.

Pictures from the stadium show water pooled on the stage.

the water pooling on the stage and equipment 🫣🫣 #SydneyTSTheErasTourpic.twitter.com/KPyeqiYVaI

— zoe ! eras melb & sydney (@holygroundly) February 23, 2024

🚨| Sabrina Carpenter will unfortunately not be opening up for Night 1 of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Sydney, Australia due to the weather delay #SydneyTSTheErasTourpic.twitter.com/UKS47s2v1S

— The Eras Tour (@tswifterastour) February 23, 2024

Sabrina Carpenter performs on stage at Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 16. Picture: Graham Denholm/TAS24/Getty Images

Floor seats evacuated at Taylor Swift concert, show delayed

More than an hour after Swifties were evacuated from the ground level of Accor Stadium, they are slowly being allowed back in.

There is no word yet about what time Swift will emerge after fans were told the show had been delayed because of wild weather.

Pictures from Accor Stadium at Olympic Park just before 6pm showed hundreds of fans scrambling from their seats and into undercover areas.

swifties on the floor just been evacuated #SydneyTSTheErasTour#TaylorSwiftAustralia#TheErasTour#TheErasTourSydneypic.twitter.com/cuJ4SG1kpr

— Aaron (@heyoranges) February 23, 2024

🚨| The floor and lower bowl are currently being evacuated due to lightning strikes nearby the stadium at today's show of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Sydney, Australia. Please stay safe and seek shelter for now #SydneyTSTheErasTour

pic.twitter.com/trs8heeziR

— The Eras Tour (@tswifterastour) February 23, 2024

The decision to evacuate the floor seats comes after warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology for “severe thunderstorms”. The BoM’s social media accounts said severe storms were “likely across eastern NSW on Friday with damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall”.

The message continued: “Destructive winds and giant hail are also possible.”

Accor Stadium issued a statement declaring that as a result of the weather the show has been delayed.

“Please note, due to weather, show start time has been delayed,” a message read.

“Stay undercover until further notice and follow venue screens and staff instructions.

“Stay safe and be kind to those around you.”

The message from Accor Stadium.

Floor seats emptied before 6pm.

Taylor Swift fans take cover as the weather turns. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Just after 7pm, crowds were slowly moved back into floor seats as the sun emerged.

TAYLOR IS HAPPENING Crowds returning #SydneyTSTheErasTourpic.twitter.com/B0Z1C6Y2k3

— Peter Deppeler (@Peter_Deppeler) February 23, 2024

Bus full of Swifties hit by truck on way to concert

It has not been an ideal start to the evening for a busload of Taylor Swift fans who were run off the road en route to the megastar’s first Sydney show.

Pictures shared by @CarmenBartolo9 on X show an empty bus driver’s seat with a smashed up side mirror, as well as the group of girls exiting the bus and walking on the side of the freeway.

She wrote: “CANNOT MAKE THIS UP. Our bus got hit by a truck.” She included a bunch of crying emojis.

In the comments, the Swift fan wrote that nobody was hurt in the crash.

“Everyone is OK! Luckily there was an almost empty bus not far behind we all squished on!!”

CANNOT MAKE THIS UP. Our bus got hit by a truck 😭😭😭😭😭 #[e-mail]/k73kmmVABB

— Carkey 🪩🌷🍒🥝💌🗽⸆⸉ SYD N1 (@CarmenBartolo9) February 23, 2024

Swift’s extreme transit to Sydney concert

Around 3.15pm, the megastar’s convoy — including a Lamborghini and three Range Rovers — was spotted driving through Pyrmont.

Popular Sydney radio star Smallzy captured footage of Swift’s vehicles making their way past Nova’s office and over the Anzac Bridge, with boyfriend Travis Kelce no doubt in tow.

“The Taylor Swift convoy has departed the city,” Smallzy wrote on Instagram.

It’s about a 30-minute drive from Swift’s penthouse at Crown Sydney in Barangaroo to Olympic Park, depending on traffic.

Taylor Swift's convoy, we repeat, Taylor Swift's convoy. Picture: Instagram/@smallzy

"Taylor Swift just rolled past the Nova studios!" Picture: Instagram/@smallzy

Travel chaos for Taylor Swift fans

The wild weather expected in Sydney is creating chaos for fans trying to get to Sydney from interstate.

Severe thunderstorms are large hail is forecast for the Sydney region this afternoon and tonight ahead of Swift’s first Sydney concert at Olympic Park.

Amid flight cancellations for interstate travellers, Qantas has stepped up at the last-minute.

In a statement released on Friday afternoon, Qantas noted the chaos for those trying to enter Sydney.

“Due to severe storms forecast to impact the Sydney region late this afternoon, Airservices Australia has limited the number of arrivals and departures in Sydney for all airlines resulting in a number of cancellations and delays,” a Qantas spokesman said.

The solutions — or at least part of the solution — is for Qantas to use “an Airbus A380 from Melbourne to Sydney to ensure customers get to Sydney as close to schedule as possible”.

A Qantas A380 has been brought in to help fly stranded Melbourne fans to Swift’s Sydney show after wild weather cancelled flights.

The Airbus will carry 485 customers, which Qantas says is the “equivalent of almost three Boeing 737 flights which normally operate this route”.

The Airbus will depart from Melbourne at 5pm and arrive at Sydney International Terminal at 6.40pm.

Swift fan Megan told ABC Radio Brisbane Breakfast that the weather has already forced her to pay $700 on last-minute flights after her Brisbane-to-Sydney flight was cancelled on Friday.

“I woke up this morning to an email from Virgin saying that my flight this afternoon had been cancelled,” she said.

“When I called them, they did say that (the storms) were the reason for the cancellation.”

As for whether or not the wild weather could impact on Swift’s performance, Accor Stadium says the show will only be impacted if the weather is “severe”.

Taylor takeover on Sydney trains

Transport for NSW have well and truly met the Swiftie brief.

For four nights only, Sydney’s trains have rebranded to the ‘Tay Tay Express’ for fans travelling to Olympic Park.

“All aboard the Tay Tay Express! Final stop is Olympic Park via Shake It Off, Anti-Hero, I Knew You Were Trouble, You Belong With Me and Cruel Summer!,” a Facebook post on the official NSW Transport page read.

Sydney trains have rebranded for four nights only – hop aboard the Tay Tay express.

Why not have a Taylor Swift karaoke session while en route?

Trains, which are free for ticket holders heading to the concert, will also play Swift’s music, with a peek at the control room showing the line-up of songs to ring out over the loudspeaker.

Hundreds of fans took to the comment section applauding NSW Transport for getting into the Swift spirit.

“This is awesome!,” one wrote, while another said, “I’m starting to think that Transport for NSW is Tay-Tay’s biggest Swiftie fan of them all!”

“This is hilarious,” another chimed in.

All the biggest Swift hits.

Olympic Park will be humming late Friday, with another 21,000 expected to attend Blink-182’s concert at the adjacent Qudos Bank Arena.

For fans heading to the area, Ticketek has issued an urgent warning to ticket holders in the possible event of a service outage.

“We would like to remind Taylor Swift ticket holders that we are expecting unprecedented numbers, not only in the event, but also in the precinct surrounding Accor Stadium,” a spokesman said.

“In order to safeguard fans from unforeseen congestion issues, we request that they download the Ticketek app prior to their arrival and ADD their ticket(s) to their Apple or Google Wallet asap.”

Sydney is ready to welcome Taylor Swift at Accor Stadium for the first of her four shows. Picture: Getty

While Accor Stadium spokespeople have insisted Swift will perform “rain or shine” – unless safety becomes a risk – a cruel summer threatens with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting “possibly severe” thunderstorms right as Swift’s supporting act Sabrina Carpenter kicks off festivities at 6.20pm.

Seven flights out of Queensland were earlier cancelled across all airlines due to the forecasted wild weather, including four from Brisbane and three from the Gold Coast.

It’ll be a hot evening, too, with a maximum forecast of 36C at nearby Parramatta.