- Cultural hotspot Liverpool city center into ‘Taylor Town’ to celebrate Taylor Swift’s three sold-out shows at Anfield Stadium in June
- The city is creating a huge free art installation for the occasion, and will host Swift-themed craft workshops
- The University of Liverpool is also involved – and will throw ‘Tay Day’ to discuss the singer’s cultural impact
She’s been taking the world by storm.
And now it’s almost the UK’s turn to be treated to Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.
The singer, 34, is set to hit the banks of Blighty in Edinburgh on June 7 – and cities are gearing up for the influx of Swifties that are about to descend on them.
One place that is doing the most is Liverpool.
While it may be best known as the birthplace of The Beatles, the north west cultural hub is counting down the days until Swift plays at Anfield Stadium, home to Liverpool FC.
As if watching Swift perform three sold-out shows (on June 13, 14 and 15) isn’t enough for her fans, the city is transforming itself into ‘Taylor Town’, in celebration of the artist.
Liverpool goes ‘all out’ for Swift
Starting on June 8, a series of art installations are being created for the occasion, including a moss-covered grand piano to represent Swift’s Evermore era; a ‘red room’ to represent the Red era; giant hearts representing the Lover era and a mural inspired by the number 13 and the Fearless era.
There will also be plenty for the artsier Swifties to get involved with, as the city will also host a series of ticketed workshops.
Inventively dubbed Liverpool Loves Taylor (Craft Version), fans will be able to try their hand at origami – which will eventually form part of one of the installations – as well as take part in Swift-inspired denim upcycling, collage making and cupcake decorating.
And if that wasn’t enough, the University of Liverpool is also getting involved.
That’s right, the UK’s original redbrick institution is hosting ‘Tay Day’: a free academic conference for students and fans to unpack the cultural impact Swift – who recently released her 11th album, The Tortured Poets Department – has had.
Far from the usual lecture hall goings on though, the day will include critical karaoke sessions – where researchers perform their findings to some of Taylor’s biggest hits – and a series of interactive talks on subjects including her song lyrics, her award-winning albums and her place in feminism and the LGBTQ+ community.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool Council cabinet member for culture, health and wellbeing, said: “If there was ever going to be a city that would go all-out with a welcome for Taylor Swift and the Swifties it was bound to be Liverpool. For more than a year we’ve been watching the impact Taylor has had at every location on her tour date – wherever she goes, an entourage of adoring fans follow, and latest figures show they are traveling from across the globe to enjoy the European leg of the tour.
“We’re a city well-versed in welcoming visitors from across the globe – Eurovision being a prime example – and we wanted to use the unrivaled creative talent in this city to develop a unique trail which will attract people to the city center, give them an experience they won’t get in any other location, and as a result encourage them to spend time making the most of our hospitality and leisure offer.
“This is all about using that Team Liverpool approach which works so well and has a tangible impact when it comes to boosting the local economy and supporting local businesses – and even though Taylor may only be in town for a matter of days, we hope the sector feels the impact for months to come.”
