This was published 11 months ago
As the clock nears Midnight(s) this little blog is coming to an end.
Swifties: I hope you had as much fun as we did bringing you all the magical moments from Melbourne’s first Eras Tour show.
Swift performs again tomorrow and Sunday.
We’ll be back blogging the next leg of her Aussie tour in Sydney next Friday. Hope you can join us.
Good night!
Taylor Swift’s first Australian performance of the Eras Tour has come to an end.Credit: Photo by Jason South
Taylor Swift fans are heading home from the MCG and trams and trains are filling up fast.
“I’ve been working for Yarra Trams for 35 years and I’ve never seen this kind of crowd, even for events like Grand Prix,” says one of the tram officers.
Taylor Swift fans pack the trains at Jolimont Station after leaving the MCG.Credit: Bhavya Vemulapalli
Crowds headed into Richmond Station are facing a wait to get onto the platform, but Metro Trains says it shouldn’t be more than a few minutes.
To cater to the expected rush, Yarra Trams has promised an additional 32 services before and after each Eras Tour concert.
Richmond train station was busy after the show.Credit: Penny Stephens
Melbourne’s free-tram zone has also been extended to the MCG until midnight on Sunday, so concert attendees can get home swiftly.
It’s always slightly bittersweet when a concert ends, especially one as monumental as the Eras Tour.
You’re still on an intense high, but know you must now tackle the dreaded trip home.
Maybe tomorrow night will bring better luck?Credit: Nell Geraets
As Swifties begin that trek, the evening spoils begin to appear. A few friendship bracelets, the odd cowboy hat, a discarded sign from a ticker-seeker – all reminders of the incredible spectacle that was Swift’s first Australian Eras show.
Tonight was 15-year-old Claudia’s first concert ever, and what a concert to start with!
“Yeah, it has set the bar very high,” she says, still clearly in shock over how much fun she had.
For her, it was the surprise songs – Red and You’re Losing Me – that really hit it out of the park.
“Both of those songs are my favourites.”
Fans stream out of MCG after Taylor Swift’s first Melbourne Eras show.Credit: Nine News
It was also 12-year-old Stella’s first concert. Her mum, Deb, says they were both equally impressed.
“I don’t know where she gets her energy from. She was amazing, she just kept going for hours,” Deb says.
If you’re going to bring your kid to any concert, it may as well be the world’s highest-grossing to concert tour date! Not too shabby for a first time.
Well, that was dramatic. The fireworks and confetti cannons have gone off, and 96,000 of us are going home. The sobbing girl three seats down is all out of tears, while for some of us, they’re just beginning as we furiously file edits.
It’s a five-star rave for Taylor Swift’s first Australian Eras show.Credit: Jason South
Here are my official thoughts on a show I have some feelings about.
After singing along to 45 songs over 3½ hours, it’s hardly surprising that some Swifties left the MCG with next to no voice.
Sonja Kupresak, 20, said she has “a permanent frog in [her] throat”, but it was “completely worth it”.
“It was better than I could have imagined,” she said, while readjusting her sparkly cowboy hat. “She sang the whole 10-minute version of All Too Well. I think I cried the whole time.”
Friend Emma Branson – in a matching cowboy hat – said her highlight was the fireworks at the end.
“She had to end it in a bang,” she said.
If you had fun following along with our coverage of tonight’s show, then you’ll probably be thrilled to discover we have a weekly pop-culture podcast called The Drop that dives into everything in the world of arts, culture and entertainment (including Taylor Swift).
It’s hosted by me, Osman Faruqi, culture editor at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald; culture writer Thomas Mitchell; and the editor of Spectrum in Sydney, Mel Kembrey. It’s fun! It’s smart! It’s informative! Give it a go!
The first concert of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Melbourne is done – so, what did you think?
Was Swift’s first live performance of You’re Losing Me a good choice?
Was Red reaaaaally a surprise? Let us know below.
Thousands of Swifties leaving the MCG tonight may have hoarse voices, but they also have the biggest smiles.
Annabel, Sam and Ellen were united on their verdict on tonight’s performance.
“It was absolutely incredible,” they all say, eyes lit up. “It makes you forget about all the Ticketek stress.”
Annabel, Sam and Ellen loved the show. Credit: Bhavya Vemulapalli
Sam and Ellen caught a 6am flight this morning from Sydney and said tonight’s performance was “one of the best nights ever.”
“To play a three-hour show with 44 songs is phenomenal. She’s just amazing,” Sam says.
Swifties began streaming out of the MCG as soon as Karma wrapped up, all of them smiling from ear to ear.
A lot of them are rushing to Richmond station to make their way home (or to their hotels), but some were happy to stop and gush about their Eras experience.
Alexa, a 15-year-old Swiftie from Perth, is here with her grandma, Judy. They were both blown away by the pop star.
Fans stream out of MCG after Taylor Swift’s first Melbourne Eras show.Credit: Nine News
“I’ve gone to concerts in Europe, and this was a step above,” Judy said.
“I’ve never been to a better concert than this and I’ve been waiting so long,” Alexa said, grinning.
It’s a relief she enjoyed it so much, Judy said while laughing, because the concert tickets and flights from Perth are her next two Christmas presents.