Taylor Swift Enchants Wembley

If preludes are a good indicator of performance then Wembley Park’s two new public artworks set the scene for Taylor Swift’s Eras weekend dates at Wembley. By Sat Bal

That huge mural; the ‘Swiftie Steps’; the ‘Auras’ feature by Frank Styles featuring digital renditions of over 30 physical paintings. Then there’s the human art strewn all around Wembley. Sequins, stetsons, and white rhinestone cowboy boots helped the ecstatic march of 90.000 fans along Olympic Way to the stadium.

Even before 7am, the atmosphere was carnival on this opening Saturday, according to Ellie from Manchester. The superfan whose destination was the pit framing the stage was quite happy being number 70 in the queue. It was enough to get her to the pit. And to get us one of the many friendship bracelets that she (and so many Swifties) had spent weeks constructing, with song names emblazoned.

The unity and peace of Woodstock is here, but in nightcore. Because the bracelet bonhomie of the Swifties is on a different level of nervous energy to that old festival. Mums here look as if they’ve become Swifties by accident. Ticket prices (£400) for the standing stage area have helped consign them to the Tortured Parent’s Department as mums/dad embrace Tay Tay day.

And now, 36 cities later the Eras tour finally lands here for a set that stretches to just under four hours. Yet the spectacle explodes like a fresh day 1, which it is for the thrilled masses here who whoop, weep and wail their hearts out during the first half of the event to showstoppers like ‘Cruel Summer‘ and ‘Lover‘.

Each ‘era’ explodes with its own identity, opening with the sparkles of ‘Lover’ to the country looks of ‘You Belong With Me’ during the Fearless era.

Flying into the poppy Red era, the extended ‘All Too Well’ regales the crowd along with ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.’ More than a little of the The Tortured Poet’s Department made the set list too.

The wardrobe opened to all sorts of exotica;  gowns and cloaks for Folkmore and Evermore, sequinned  blue Midnights bodysuit and unitards parading one leg,

Midnights chimed in the final era when fireworks lit up the sky, and more than a few lives.  Not least among these: Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte  Shaking It Off in their private box; Tom Cruise, Ashton Kutcher. Mila Kunis, and Hugh Grant boosted the VIP attendance.