US megastar Taylor Swift hits stage for first Sydney show after storms and lightning caused chaos

The wait is over as US megastar Taylor Swift finally hits the stage for her first of four Sydney shows after lightning and storms caused delays and the cancellation of the support act.

In her trademark sparkling bodysuit and matching long boots, she opened the night at Sydney’s Olympic Park with her hit song Cruel Summer to the screams and tears of adoring fans.

Before launching into her next hit, The Man from her 2019 Lover album, she told her ecstatic fans: “You’re really making me feel like tonight I get to play a sold-out show for 81,000 people in Sydney!”.

The 34-year-old then added a black shiny jacket to her outfit as she was surrounded by suit-clad back-up dancers sitting at desks.

Swifties joined her as she belted out the chorus: “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can, wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man.”

Hundreds of fans who missed out on tickets hung around outside with many singing and shimmying along to the roaring sound of the crowd inside.

Earlier in the evening, a storm and lightning strikes near the venue prompted organisers to evacuate parts of the stadium.

Fans were warned to take shelter and that the start time was delayed, with no indication of when it would proceed.

“The floor and lower bowl are currently being evacuated due to lightning strikes nearby the stadium,” organisers posted on The Eras Tour page on X, formerly Twitter.

“Please stay safe, sheltered and follow venue screens until further notice.”

But just before 7.30pm it was announced that support act Sabrina Carpenter would not be taking the stage, meaning Swift would kick off the event at the scheduled time.

Since the gates opened to the precinct at 4:30pm, a force of sequins as far as the eye could see, swarmed its way to the stadium from the nearby train station, car parks and drop-off points.

Some thanked the bemused bus drivers who got them there by gifting them a bracelet, which are beaded with lyrics from Taylor Swift songs, or in-jokes between fans.

The NSW Police also got in on the act, trading bracelets with fans and complimenting them on their outfits.

The number 13, Swift’s favourite, adorned the hands of many of her fans along with colourful friendship bracelets up to their elbows.

Top on her fans’ minds ahead of the show was the set list — what would be her opening numbers? And more importantly, what would be her surprise songs?

Brisbane Swiftie, Sam L’Lachi was lucky enough to see the Melbourne show, but said he couldn’t wait for tonight.

“I’m very excited, I haven’t seen her before The Eras Tour, I’m definitely excited to see her,” he said.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the secret songs, I don’t know what they’ll be but I’m grateful for whatever I get.”

Another fan in a Reputation outfit has seen Swift six times before, but said this was a massive moment for her.

“She means everything to me … I’ve grown up with her,” she said.

“My whole life happened at the same time as hers.”