Taylor Swift in Cardiff: What you need to know

Image source, PA Media

Carys Betteley BBC News Rosie Mercer

BBC News

Taylor Swift will make a unique stop on her record-breaking GBP1bn Eras Tour this week, with Cardiff the only city on her 152-show tour that she will play just once.

The Welsh capital is among more than 50 cities on her 21-month long tour and it will be a 70,000 sell-out at the Principality Stadium on Tuesday.

The American superstar has already played three nights in both Edinburgh[1] and Liverpool[2] in the UK.

She will head to London after playing Cardiff for three nights at Wembley Stadium next weekend.

Her Cardiff concert is her first headline show in Wales, although she played the BBC's Biggest Weekend event in Swansea in 2018[3] before Florence and the Machine.

Postcode data suggests Tuesday's show will attract concert-goers from a wider catchment than most Principality Stadium events.

So fans have been warned to expect heavy traffic on the M4 motorway into Cardiff with people told to plan ahead, travel early and use public transport if possible.

Why are some Swifties excited?

Speculation is rife in the Swiftie community that an announcement of her latest album Reputation: Taylor's Version is imminent.

With Cardiff the only location on the tour with one date, some die-hard fans are predicting the superstar singer will pick the Welsh capital as the launch pad for her hotly anticipated album.

What to expect at Taylor Swift shows?

Going to Taylor's show?

Well, get ready to swap friendship bracelets[4].

Fans have spent months making them - but anyone with last minute tickets or who did not get the bracelets, do not worry - Swifties with spares will be happy to share.

And of course, there's the outfits. Oh, the outfits...

Fans have painstakingly been gluing rhinestones to cowboy boots or bodysuits for months, creating costumes from scratch or Swiftifying suitable clothes to reflect their favourite era.

But again, the Swiftie fandom will not leave anyone behind - and if you do not have an outfit or just want to wear comfy jeans, all that matters is having fun.

Image source, PA Media

And which Taylor tot will be offered a hug from the superstar and the hat Swift wears during her performance of 22?

She used to use social media to pick a child recipient before her shows, but lately her team has been anonymously scouting the crowd before the performance begins.

What will be Taylor Swift's surprise songs?

Fans heading to Cardiff may also be wondering which surprise songs Swift will choose.

In her first few UK shows, she has opted for mash-ups, including The Bolter x Getaway car, and Haunted x Exile in Edinburgh.

Will we be treated to a surprise from her new album?

Or a mash-up of much-loved tracks from back in the day?

Who are Taylor Swift's support acts?

Image source, Getty Images

Swift's support comes from Paramore - the band fronted by her long-time friend Hayley Williams.

The American punk rockers, whose hits include Ignoranace and Still Into You, are promoting their latest and sixth album This Is Why.

"We started around the same time, we're around the same age, especially in Nashville where it's very family," Williams told Jimmy Fallon's The Tonight Show.

Image source, Getty Images

Will Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively be there?

Speaking of mates, one of the big questions on local lips is if her superstar buddies Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are going to her Cardiff show.

Deadpool star Reynolds has legendary status in Wales after taking over and helping Welsh football club Wrexham to back-to-back promotions[5] in his Disney+ show Welcome to Wrexham.

The Canadian actor and his wife went to one of Swift's shows at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium last month but will they be at Principality Stadium in his newly-adopted second homeland?

Image source, Getty Images

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Who you going to see Taylor Swift with?

Is this your first time seeing her?

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Lifelong Swiftie Rhion Hawkes has already seen the star three times, and is going four more times this year, including Cardiff on Tuesday.

"My first concert was her Red tour in 2014 and loved it," said the 22-year-old from Swansea.

"I bought a Red tour T-shirt and plan on wearing it to the Cardiff concert."

Image source, Rhion Hawkes

Cardiff will be Chloe Ashton's first Taylor Swift show - but the 23-year-old from Torfaen is going to two more in Wembley.

"I'm a teacher and my pupils are so excited for me and to hear all about it when I'm back," she said.

"I've been preparing for weeks picking my outfit, nails, etc. I went to a Taylor themed pottery painting session to get in the mood and have spent all week making friendship bracelets."

What time does Taylor Swift show start?

For VIP early entry ticket holders, the stadium gates open at 15:00 BST while general admission entry is from 16:00 BST.

The show will start at 17:45, according to the organisers, with Paramore opening.

Swift is likely to begin her set between 19:00 and 19:30 - but these timings are only an estimate.

Swift's marathon set will contain more than 40 songs and be between three to three-and-a-half hours long before the 22:30 curfew.

Will Principality Stadium roof be closed?

Yes. According to the Principality Stadium, the roof will be closed for the duration of the show.

Image source, Getty Images

Are tickets still available for Taylor Swift?

The show is officially a 70,000 sell out but some third party selling sites are selling tickets for inflated prices.

But one bank has warned fans against ticket scams[6], estimating that Swifties have lost an estimated GBP1m to ticket fraud trying to buy tickets for the UK leg of her Eras tour.

The stadium has advised fans who have bought tickets that they must have access to a smartphone to download the relevant ticketing app, external[7] before they arrive.

Promoters have also warned screenshots of tickets won't be allowed.

Are there any Cardiff road closures?

Image source, Principality Stadium

Scott Road and Park Street will shut from 07:00 while a full Cardiff city centre road closure, external[8] will then be enforced from 12:00 noon until midnight.

The roads included in this are:

• Duke Street

• Castle St

• High Street

• St Mary Street

• Caroline Street

• Wood Street

• Central Square

• Westgate Street

• Quay Street

• Guildhall Place

• Golate

• Havelock Street

Image source, Traffic Wales

Trains, buses, parking, park and ride

The M4 motorway is likely to be very busy and drivers are urged to check the Traffic Wales website, external[9] before setting off.

Event parking is available at Sophia Gardens and the civic centre.

A park and ride service is being operated by Cardiff council from the Cardiff City Stadium in Leckwith.

The first bus leaves at 09:00 and fans will be dropped off and picked up from Fitzhammon Embankment, opposite the stadium.

Transport for Wales, external[10] and GWR, external[11] will provide extra capacity on trains in and out of Cardiff wherever possible, but warned rail services across south Wales would be very busy.

Buses will be diverted due to the road closures.

Full details of Cardiff Bus diversions can be found here, external[12].

What's the weather like for Taylor Swift?

Image source, Getty Images

BBC weather presenter Sabrina Lee forecasts "following what feels like a cool showery 'Cruel Summer'... the outlook is looking bright for the Taylor Swift concert".

"If you're joining the queue during the afternoon, there are signs of a dry trend and where the sun comes out it should feel warm, with the temperature peaking in the high teens," she said.

"Sun cream is a good idea, due to the higher UV levels. A cardigan or light jacket will come in handy for after the show, as the temperature drops away."

Can I take my bag in?

Can I camp before?

Organisers have warned fans that camping for fans wanting to get the best spot for the show isn't allowed on the Principality Stadium site.

Small bags and handbags no larger than a sheet of A4 paper are allowed in, but the stadium has said waiting times for fans with bags will be longer.

In addition, there are a number of things that you cannot take into the stadium - including professional cameras.

A full list of what can and cannot be taken into the stadium can be found on the Principality Stadium's website, external[13].

Image source, Getty Images

Where is Taylor Swift playing in the UK in 2024?

Swift has already played three nights at both Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium and Anfield in Liverpool.

After her Cardiff date, Swift has eight shows at London's Wembley Stadium - three over next weekend and five in August.

So after Cardiff, where else and when is the 34-year-old playing in UK and Ireland in 2024?

• 21, 22, 23 June, Wembley Stadium, London

• 28, 29, 30 June, Aviva Stadium, Dublin

• 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 August, Wembley Stadium, London

After her London shows in August, Swift has two months off touring then returns to North America for the final leg of the Eras Tour before it wraps up on 8 December in the Canadian city of Vancouver.

Related Topics

References

1. ^ Edinburgh (www.bbc.co.uk)
2. ^ Liverpool (www.bbc.co.uk)
3. ^ the BBC's Biggest Weekend event in Swansea in 2018 (www.bbc.co.uk)
4. ^ swap friendship bracelets (www.bbc.co.uk)
5. ^ Wrexham to back-to-back promotions (www.bbc.co.uk)
6. ^ warned fans against ticket scams (www.bbc.co.uk)
7. ^ relevant ticketing app, external (faq.principalitystadium.wales)
8. ^ full Cardiff city centre road closure, external (www.cardiff.gov.uk)
9. ^ Traffic Wales website, external (traffic.wales)
10. ^ Transport for Wales, external (tfw.wales)
11. ^ GWR, external (www.gwr.com)
12. ^ can be found here, external (www.cardiffbus.com)
13. ^ Principality Stadium's website, external (faq.principalitystadium.wales)