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Taylor Swift fans in Sydney who dropped everything to meet in the pouring rain were met with chaos as a busload of Swifties were involved in a crash and fans were evacuated from the venue due to lightning strikes.
The Cruel Summer hitmaker, 34, has taken her mammoth Eras Tour Down Under, where she will play at Sydney’s Accor Stadium from Friday until February 26 with support from Sabrina Carpenter.
But the eagerly-anticipated shows got off to a wet and rainy start with Swifties evacuated from the venue mid-set due to ‘flooding and lightning strike’.
A bus taking fans to the venue was also involved in a dramatic collision with a truck, leaving the devastated concertgoers stuck.
X user @CarmenBartolo9 posted photos of the bus driver’s seat unoccupied with a damaged side mirror in the shot, with fans waiting on the side of the motorway after disembarking the bus.
She wrote: ‘CANNOT MAKE THIS UP. Our bus got hit by a truck.’
Taylor Swift’s first Eras show in Sydney has been hit by heavy rain and storms (Picture: DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)
Fans found themselves running for shelter after being evacuated from the venue due to ‘flooding and lightning strike’ (Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)
Taylor was due on stage in just over an hour when the disruption occurred (Picture: James Gourley/Shutterstock)
Travis Kelce has been spotted supporting his partner at the show (Picture: kyleandjackieo / tiktok)
After being asked by another user if everyone on the bus was safe, she responded: ‘Everyone is ok!! Luckily there was an almost empty bus not far behind we all squished on!!’
Thankfully the user managed to make it to the venue in time for the show posting pics from the venue…Only to be hit by ‘rain delays’.
In a post on X, the venue informed fans ahead of the show that start times had been delayed ‘due to weather.’
It continued: ‘Stay undercover until further notice and follow venue screens and staff instructions.
‘Stay safe and remember to be kind to those around you.’
Staff worked quickly to evacuate fans and get the show back on track (Picture: Don Arnold/TAS24/[SOURCE] for TAS Rights Management)
Set times were delayed ahead of doors opening due to weather conditions (Picture: X/Accor Stadium)
Staff were pictured mopping puddles and setting up the stage (Picture: X)
After around 80,000 fans piled into the venue ready to exchange friendship bracelets and dance the night away, at around 6pm – as Sabrina was due to begin her set at 6.20pm – those sitting on the floor and lower levels of the stadium were evacuated after lightning struck just 10 kilometres away.
The Sydney Herald reported that an announcement on loudspeakers confirmed the lightning strike, with fans congregating inside the venue for more updates.
Fans expressed their worry over whether the show would continue, with a fan telling Daily Mail Australia: ‘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.’
It has since been reported that fans have shaken it off and returned to the venue ready for the show to get underway, but the Sydney Herald reported that support act Sabrina will not be performing.
Fans posted online that staff in hi-vis swooped in to mop up puddles and reset the stage – to delighted cheers from crowds.
X user Farat wrote: ‘We are back on!!!!!!! Officially allowed back onto the floor and into the lower part of the bowl.’
Emily Grace added: ‘In a STORM in my best dress… we are back for #SydneyTSTheErasTour.’
@afterrglowswift said: ‘That was so stressful but we’re back with blue skies.’
All is back on track at the Accor Stadium, with fans excitedly tweeting the arrival of Taylor to the stage as she kicks off The Eras Tour in Sydney, with boyfriend Travis Kelce in attendance to cheer her on.
After all – the show must go on.
Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for Taylor Swift and Accor Stadium for comment.
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