Taylor Swift put on a show-stopping performance for an 80,000-strong crowd for the first Sydney show on her much-awaited Eras tour on Friday night.
Despite fears that the thunderstorms could see the show cancelled, Taylor, 34, left Swifties wanting more as she didn’t fail to impress with her best-loved hits.
A whole host of very famous faces also descended on the Accor Stadium for the epic night, with Taylor’s A-list pals flocking to Sydney to support her.
Rita Ora and Taika Waititi, Katy Perry, Toni Collette and Baz Luhrmann were all seen partying in the crowds, while Taylor’s NFL star boyfriend Travis Kelce and his friend Ross Travis also attended.
Singer Rita, 33, was seen having the time of her life as she smiled alongside Katy, 39, as they watched Taylor’s performance from a VIP tent.
Rita’s film director husband Taika, 48, was also seen getting involved in the night as he sweetly smiled at fans and made love heart signs in their direction.
Rita also took to Instagram to give an insight into their time with Taylor backstage as she and Taika sweetly posed with their pop star pal.
Taylor was fully glammed up in her glitzy sequinned leotard in the snap as she got ready to take to the stage just moments ahead of the big show.
Rita also shared snaps of herself and Katy in the crowds as they smiled and sang along to Taylor’s best-loved hits.
Alongside the gallery, she penned: ‘It’s fair to say Sydney always delivers – Or shall we say our TayTay @taylorswift always delivers! thank you for having us! Seeing my KP @katyperry made my heart, too many queens to count!’
Katy proved that her epic feud with Taylor is well and truly in the past as they cuddled up for a selfie while socialising backstage.
Katy, 39, showed her support for her former frenemy and couldn’t wait to pay tribute to her ‘old friend’ as she shared several snaps and videos on Instagram – including a super sweet close-up shot of them backstage together.
Katy and Taylor had a nasty falling out, with the Cruel Summer hitmaker penning her 2015 song Bad Blood about their dispute – which began when Katy apparently tried to hire a bunch of Taylor’s backup dancers and ‘sabotage an entire arena tour’.
However, it seems it is all water under the bridge as Katy filmed Taylor performing the track, before turning the camera on herself as she belted out the lyrics.
Also in the star-studded audience was Australian actress Toni, 51, who stood alongside Taika in the VIP tent as she soaked up the atmosphere.
Australian Elvis director Baz, 61, also made an appearance and watched the epic concert alongside Taylor’s boyfriend Travis, 34, and his NFL star pal Ross, 31.
Travis touched down in Sydney on Thursday to support his girlfriend amid the Australian leg of her Eras tour, and proudly watched her in her element on Friday.
The American tight end could not wipe the smile off his face as Taylor impressed the crowds with her set list filled with her best-loved hits and some surprise tracks.
Travis’ NFL star pal Ross also took to Instagram to give an insight into his night at the concert as he traded friendship bracelets with Swifties and danced in the crowds.
Elsewhere, Jackie ‘O’ Henderson was also among the Australian stars to descend on the stadium for the show as she took her daughter Kitty, 13.
She shared a video of Kitty singing along to Taylor’s hits as she panned around the stadium to give an insight into the incredible atmosphere in the arena.
Dina Broadhurst also put on a very leggy display in a dazzling ensemble as she attended the concert with Jade Yarbrough and Ricky Matthew.
Artist Dina showed off her incredible figure in a silver metallic gown with a daringly high side slip as she posed for a mirror selfie.
She also shared a smiling selfie with stylist Jade and Ricky as they had the time of their lives dancing inside the arena.
Jade also took to her own Instagram to share a glimpse at her pink and silver dress and her friendship bracelet, gifted to her by Vogue X Chandon Australia.
Scott Morrison and his family also managed to score prime seats for Taylor’s much-sought-after concert.
The former prime minister shared a snap of himself, dressed in pink, at the concert on the ground level alongside his wife Jenny and daughters Lily and Abbey.
Friday night marked his third appearance at a Swift concert, having seen her tour her Reputation and 1989 albums in previous years.
blink-182’s Mark Hoppus also briefly nipped over to the Accor Stadium, but only to jokingly troll Swifties as they entered the venue.
His punk-pop band – also made up of Travis Barker and Tom DeLonge – played the Qudos Bank Arena on Friday night, which is just next door to Accor Stadium, where Taylor’s concert was held.
The American bassist, 51, zipped over to Taylor’s venue and filmed himself trolling the Swifties who were filing in before the show.
In the video, shared to Instagram, the punk rocker said: ‘I’m about to go on stage and I’m really disappointed in everybody here because this is the Taylor Swift show.’
He then filmed some of Taylor’s fans as he playfully called out to them: ‘You should have gone to see Blink! Could’ve seen Blink 182 tonight. Just saying.’
Many Swifties did not notice Mark, but the few that did looked perplexed or amused by his outburst.
Despite the Accor Stadium having to be temporarily evacuated due to the storms, Taylor still put on a show-stopping performance for her delighted fans.
After the set for support act Sabrina Carpenter had to be cancelled, Taylor finally took the stage a little over 20 minutes after the scheduled start time of 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.
The 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.’
Taylor will once again take to the show on Saturday night, followed by two more shows on Sunday and Monday to conclude her Australian tour.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
