Taylor Swift fans in London showed up in full force for her Eras tour at Wembley Stadium, brushing off any worries about security after recent concert cancellations in Vienna. Despite concerns, the excitement and sense of unity among fans, known as Swifties, were stronger than ever. Swift kicked off her London shows by greeting the 92,000 fans at Wembley with a cheerful, "Fancy meeting you here at Wembley Stadium, London." These five shows are part of her record-breaking tour before she heads back to North America. The Vienna concerts were cancelled last week after authorities stopped a potential attack, leaving nearly 200,000 fans disappointed. Some of them quickly bought tickets for London, even though prices on resale sites reached around £690 ($886). However, Iggy Wilde, 28, never considered selling her ticket. "It’s a bit worrying, but the sense of togetherness among us Swifties makes me feel safe," she said. Fans arrived at Wembley dressed in sequins and cowboy hats, with many wearing friendship bracelets to swap with fellow fans. Security was visibly tight, with British police ensuring that the Vienna incident wouldn’t affect the London shows. Attendees had to go through metal detectors, and only small bags were allowed inside. Items like glass containers, laptops, and umbrellas were banned. Salsha Radiandina, a 24-year-old student, said she felt safe after researching the venue’s security measures. "We have fan groups where we make sure everyone feels safe while watching Taylor Swift," she explained. Authorities also banned "Tay-gating" at Wembley, where fans gather outside the venue without tickets, to reduce risks. Although Swift hasn’t commented on the Vienna situation, she has expressed concern in the past about fan safety, especially after incidents like the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. Fans have been travelling from all over the world to see the Eras tour. Pamela Wever, 43, flew from Guatemala with her husband and daughters just to attend the London concert. "I’m not sure if I would do this for anyone else," she said. The tickets were a Christmas gift for her daughters, who were thrilled. "My youngest even cried when she got the tickets," Wever added.
