Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour has just kicked off in London. On Friday, June 21, the international pop sensation will be rocking her on-stage music with the first of eight shows at the UK’s iconic venue, Wembley Stadium. However, the extremely positive good news is not just limited to Swifties living in the UK capital, it’s even bigger for the English capital’s economy, which could get a boost of $381 million (about £300 million) according to the Greater London Authority.GLA) The data was released on Thursday, June 20.
The “Lavender Haze” singer, who is now a billionaire thanks to her ongoing world tour — the highest-grossing music tour of all time — will reportedly draw a cumulative audience of around 700,000 people during this London summer. For her first few series of concerts in the U.K., she will complete three consecutive shows at Wembley, then five more nights in August.
London mayor acknowledges Taylor Swift effect
London Mayor Sadiq Khan offered a heartfelt thank you to the “Midnights” artist, as he “chose to perform more nights in London than anywhere else in the world.”
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He revealed how his upcoming concerts in London will draw around 700,000 people to Wembley Stadium, and proudly described London as “the greatest city in the world to see live music”.
The mayor said: “As Taylor prepares for her inaugural performance on Friday, we’re proud to give her and her fans a grand welcome to London, with celebrations taking place across the capital including a special Tube map, trail and murals in her honour.”
Khan’s words were also backed up by Visit London’s latest survey, which revealed that 54% of people admitted they would consider travelling to the UK capital for a concert in 2023 – putting London above New York, Los Angeles, Paris and other major UK cities.
Before the Greater London Authority’s estimates hit the web, British banking firm Barclays estimated in May that Taylor’s tour would provide a $1.2 billion boost to the UK economy. These estimates further stated that fans would spend about $1000 per person on tickets, accommodations, tour merchandise and travel.
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Swift’s tour has not only broken records, but has also literally shaken the venue, with seismic activity readings on multiple accounts. However, the Grammy winner has thoroughly enjoyed the unrivaled glory of the Eras Tour, as she prepares to rest after her long-running, worldwide concert tour concludes in December 2024 (or so her fans will hope until she finally announces a re-release of “Reputation”).
The “Anti-Hero” singer has been hitting the pedal hard nonstop (with brief breaks between some stops) since March 2023, when her Eras Tour kicked off in the United States.
At the moment, London is painted in the majestic colors of Taylor Swift’s celebration. A number of special events have been organized to celebrate the artist’s performance. The Spanish Steps at Wembley Park have been temporarily renamed the “Swifty Steps”.
After decking London in “Lavender Haze,” Khan’s words seem more meaningful than ever: “I encourage Swifties to not only enjoy the fantastic show, but to make the most of everything London has to offer, and hopefully encourage even more people to enjoy the incredible live music our city has to offer.”
