Current:Home > NewsTaylor Swift fans wait in 90-degree temperatures for doors to open in Madrid -AssetBase
Taylor Swift fans wait in 90-degree temperatures for doors to open in Madrid
View
Date:2025-04-11 20:50:16
MADRID — Temperatures in the mid-90s beat down on Taylor Swift fans waiting hours ahead of doors opening to her first night of the Eras Tour in the city. Luckily for many in line, the stadium's curvy upper lip provided shade.
"We've been here more than 24 hours," says Belen Falla, who sat at the very front of the VIP line in a purple "Speak Now" dress with butterfly wings. "I'm coming from Peru, and this is my dream. I've always dreamed of coming half my life to see Taylor Swift."
Falla brought a blanket to sit on, an umbrella to provide shade and friendship bracelets to trade.
"The shade is so nice," she says. "I've seen a lot of people pass out at concerts. I think we're quite lucky."
Behind Falla, Sofia Lopez wore a "Folklore" inspired green dress.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"I am worried about the heat," Lopez says. "I brought a lot of gummies for the sugar to give me fuel. I've drank water this whole morning, and I'm going to try and finish before 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. so that I'm hydrated and then I'll just go to the bathroom before going in."
The Last Tour is the company tasked as the event producer for Madrid. Its website said opening act Paramore will take the stage at 6:45 p.m. with Swift performing at 8 p.m. Security on-site said portable chargers are not allowed inside. With the heat, fans can bring in a plastic bottle 50 cL's or less. There are a list of forbidden items on the Last Tour website.
Hayley Groff came from Washington, D.C., with her sister. You could see her custom friendship bracelet jacket shine in screaming color.
"It is every single song beaded in the different eras," she says, spinning around to show the hard work that took weeks. "I love friendship bracelets. 'You're On Your Own Kid' is my favorite song. I feel like she wrote it for me."
"Last night at dinner we had a family debate," her sister, Stephanie, chimes in. "I'm the planner, and I mentioned it was going to be in the 90s. I definitely want us to be safe. Somehow I convinced her to go with shorts."
Stephanie's bag contained water bottles and sunscreen among Swift merchandise.
"Health comes first," Stephanie says. "That's why I'm happy there's two of us, because if one needs to use the bathroom, the other can stay put and so on."
Swift sold out two nights at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, home of the Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. She announced a second performance at the beginning of the year after Spanish Swifties pushed for an additional night. More than 450,000 requests to obtain a ticket flooded the Ticketmaster system last summer. The Santiago Bernabéu stadium sold 85,000 tickets each night, according to Seat Pick.
Madrid is nicknamed "el foro," which means the forum or a place where matters of economic, political and historical significance are discussed. Swift's tour has an interest in all three of those sectors. Swift will head next to Lyon, France, and perform on Sunday and Monday.
Don't miss any Taylor Swift news; sign up for the free, weekly newsletter This Swift Beat.
Follow Taylor Swift reporter Bryan West on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.
veryGood! (1)
Related
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Her son died, and she felt alone. In her grief, she found YouTube.
- Angelina Jolie opens up about Brad Pitt divorce, how 'having children saved me'
- Judge rejects an 11th-hour bid to free FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried during his trial
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Harry Potter's Bonnie Wright Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With Husband Andrew Lococo
- Michael Gambon, actor who played Prof. Dumbledore in 6 ‘Harry Potter’ movies, dies at age 82
- House Speaker McCarthy is back to square one as the Senate pushes ahead to avert a federal shutdown
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Remains of Suzanne Morphew found 3 years after her disappearance
Ranking
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Gilgo Beach suspect not a 'monster,' maintains his innocence: Attorney
- Judge rejects an 11th-hour bid to free FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried during his trial
- Judge tosses Nebraska state lawmaker’s defamation suit against PAC that labeled her a sexual abuser
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Burkina Faso's junta announces thwarted military coup attempt
- Oh Bother! Winnie, poo and deforestation
- House Republicans make their case for President Biden impeachment inquiry at first hearing
Recommendation
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
'The truth has finally set him free.': Man released after serving 28 years for crime he didn't commit
Volcanic supercontinent could erase the human race in 250 million years, study says
An explosion following a lightning strike in the Uzbek capital kills 1 person and injures 162
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
'Whip-smart': This 22-year-old helps lead one of the largest school districts in Arizona
Former employee of Virginia Walmart files $20 million lawsuit against retailer
Guardians fans say goodbye to Tito, and Terry Francona gives them a parting message