Taylor Swift’s first Sydney concert got off to a late start on Friday night after storms and rain caused Accor stadium to be temporarily evacuated.
Despite the set for support act Sabrina Carpenter being cancelled, Swift finally took the stage a little over 20 minutes after the scheduled start time of 7.30pm.
Proudly watching on was her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, who caused a roar from the crowd as he arrived to proudly view his pop star lover do what she does best.
In videos shared to social media, the NFL star was seen strolling into the stadium before finding his seat at a special VIP box.
The footballer could not wipe the smile off his face as Taylor worked the stage in one of her iconic sparkling leotards.
Travis opted for a smart shirt in blue patterns and matching shorts as well as a pair of white sneakers.
Most notably, he had on a friendship bracelet from Taylor, which her fans are also known for wearing.
He had walked through the crowd applauding him before being led to his VIP seat, where he was seen beaming as he watched Taylor perform.
Other famous faces in the crowd included Katy Perry and Rita Ora, who took in the show together.
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison proved he was a Swiftie when he was seen in the crowd alongside his two young daughters.
Wild weather lashing Sydney on Friday evening caused chaos for the 80,000 Swifties heading to her first show of the Eras Tour in the city.
Fans sitting on the floor and lower bowl levels of the stadium were asked to move inside after lightning struck just 10 kilometres away shortly before 6pm.
A statement from Accor Stadium issued just before 6pm told concert-goers the three-hour show had been delayed.
‘Please note, due to weather, show start time has been delayed,’ it said.
‘Stay undercover until further notice and follow venue screens and staff instructions.
‘Stay safe and remember to be kind to those around you.’
Swift took to the stage at about 7.50pm, while her support act Sabrina Carpenter was axed for Friday night’s performance.
Carpenter was due to begin at 6.20pm and Swift was supposed to start at 7.30pm.
‘We have a little bit of a weather situation, we might have some rain, but I’ve never known an Aussie crowd to let that get in the way of having a good time,’ Taylor told her fans once she began her performance.
A man’s voice was earlier heard on a loudspeaker at the stadium telling fans that lightning had struck 10kms away and ticket holders needed to evacuate.
A stream of concert-goers, most wearing plastic rain ponchos, were seen moving to undercover areas of the stadium following the announcement.
Accor Stadium had said the show will run unless there is ‘severe weather which could impact the safety of artists and patrons’.
‘I’m just really nervous about the rain, it’s pretty clear here but Accor still haven’t announced when the show is going to start,’ one Sydney Swiftie, Annabelle, told Daily Mail Australia before the show began.
‘I’m just kind of stressed with the noise curfew and everything.’
Accor Stadium is understood to have a curfew of 11pm. Swift’s Eras Tour shows run for just under three-and-a-half-hours.
Taylor ensured that Sabrina still got a show by inviting her on stage for the pair to perform a cover of White Horse together, mashed up with Coney Island.
‘My incredibly talented, wonderful, gorgeous, hilarious, genius opening act Sabrina Carpenter!’ Taylor said in introducing the 24-year-old American singer.
‘She heroically sacrificed her show which I think is a crime against Sydney and I think it needs to be fixed!’
Taylor spent time relaxing ahead of the show as she and her boyfriend Travis visited Sydney Zoo.
The popstar and her NFL star partner went on a date at the 16.5-hectare site earlier this week ahead of Swift’s three concerts in Australia’s biggest city, as they were spotted even petting a little kangaroo.
The pair are sparing no expense for their overseas reunion in Australia, with the two shacking up at one of Sydney’s swankiest and extravagant hotels.
They are staying at the posh Crown Towers, the city’s first six-star hotel, located in the harbor-side neighborhood of Barangaroo, during Swift’s four-day stop in Sydney for her Eras Tour.
With upscale restaurants, lavish facilities, and high-end amenities throughout the property, the venue boasts a guaranteed luxurious experience, something both Taylor and Travis are more than used to.
Yet, the loved-up couple still opted for the most opulent – and priciest – room the hotel has to offer – the Crown Presidential Villa.
The palatial residence is so ritzy, guests are required to inquire for its nightly rates, which typically starts at an eye-watering $16,300 (AUD$25,000) a night.
Billed as the property’s largest villa at 860sqft, two-story hotel room is situated on the 88th floor and features a stunning panoramic views of Sydney and Sydney Harbour through its floor-to-ceiling windows.
Taylor’s visit comes after she literally stopped traffic on Tuesday night when she stepped out for dinner in Sydney.
The global superstar shocked onlookers at Pellegrino 2000, a neighborhood trattoria located in Surry Hills.
Taylor looked every inch the hipster local, opting for a low-key black gypsy top paired with a brown suede skirt for the outing.
She made the most of her night off with fellow singer Sabrina Carpenter, who is currently supporting Taylor on her sell-out Eras Tour.
The Girl Meets World star dazzled in a red minidress with white fringe detailing and simple back tights.
Sabrina accessorized her look with a classic Louis Vuitton handbag, and carried a black leather look jacket to protect herself from the unpredictable Sydney weather of late.
Taylor is currently enjoying time off in Sydney after her Eras Tour took Melbourne by storm, selling out three days at the famed MCG.
Swift is set to perform four shows in Sydney from Friday, February 23 through to Monday, February 26.
