From early afternoon, hundreds of “Swifties”, in sequined skirts or cowboy hats, gathered around Wembley Stadium. In front of nearly 90,000 people each evening, the American singer will give the last five European concerts of her tour launched nearly a year and a half ago in the United States.
A week ago, his three concerts planned in Vienna were cancelled at the last minute after the revelation of a suicide bombing plot and the arrest of three suspects, including a 19-year-old Islamist, preventing a “bloodbath” according to the Austrian authorities.
“After what happened in Vienna, it’s reassuring to know that security has been stepped up,” said Brodie MacArthur, 23, interviewed by AFP upon her arrival at Wembley. “You always have worries in the back of your mind, but there are people to keep you safe,” added the student, dressed in a long white dress inspired by the album “The Tortured Poets Department”.
“They seem to enjoy it”
London police said they were ready for the event, saying ticket checks would be stepped up at the entrance, with extra security measures around the stadium and urging the public to be vigilant.
Several hours before the performance, security guards were stationed on the steps leading up to the stadium, while police officers on foot and on bicycles patrolled the grounds, maintaining a discreet presence. On the Wembley website, ticket holders were warned that “additional checks” would take place at the stadium “prior to entry”.
Some fans arrived early in the morning for the event, even Wednesday morning for one of them, and exchanged pearl bracelets that have become fashionable again thanks to the song “You’re on your own, kid.”
Katie Moulson even offered some to security guards: “They seem to appreciate it,” jokes this 24-year-old speech therapist who came specially from the east of England, who says she is reassured by the security measures deployed and above all impatient: “I can’t believe it!”
Ban on gatherings
After several sold-out concerts in London in June, the return of Taylor Swift’s appearance in the UK capital also comes almost two weeks after the murder of three girls in a knife attack in Southport, northwest England, sparked a wave of xenophobic riots in the country.
The children, aged six, seven and nine, were attending a dance class themed to songs by Taylor Swift, who said she was “completely shocked” on social media. The pop star, who has a close relationship with her fans, has not yet commented on the decision to cancel her concerts in the Austrian capital.
Some “Swifties”, who form a very close-knit and active community on social networks, have agreed to resell or even give their tickets for the London concerts to others who had lost their place in Vienna. Reinforced security requires that fans without tickets are not allowed to gather around the stadium to hear the music, as they usually do during the singer’s concerts. During her show at the end of July in Madrid, nearly 50,000 people “listened to the concert from a hill” nearby, “participating from afar” in the evening, Taylor Swift had indicated.
London will conclude the European leg of the tour, which began in May in Paris. The global star will then travel to Canada in November for the final concerts of a resounding world series, due to the seismic tremors sometimes measured locally during the performances but also due to its enormous economic impact.
