Fans hope Taylor Swift will announce “Reputation” at her final Wembley show
LONDON – Fans are making fun of Taylor Swift for announcing “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” on her Eras Tour.
In Swiftie lingo, the term clowning refers to fans believing something might happen, and when it doesn’t happen, looking like clowns. The re-release of Swift’s sixth album has been highly anticipated by fans who are skeptical of the potential announcement. At each show on the European tour, there has been a conspiracy theory surrounding possible Easter egg clues that Swift has dropped, but the one that has the most traction is the final night at Wembley and the final stop in Europe.
Before entering the stadium on Tuesday, Bridget Saric from Queensland, Australia, was one of those fans hoping for a surprise.
“I just feel like there’s so much more excitement in the air. I feel like all eyes are on Wembley. Everything is about Taylor and what she’s going to do. It’s crazy,” she said.
Saric started a trend on TikTok where she dances every day until Swift’s team notices her. Her goal is to meet the superstar. And even if that doesn’t work out, she just enjoys spreading good vibes. On Tuesday night, she plans to take her place on the dance floor and do “Shake It Off,” as she has done at 13 other Eras Tour shows.
Her favorite song to dance to is “Fearless.”
“It just gets me every time,” she said. “Also, I would probably say ‘Betty.’ I don’t know what it is, but it just hits every time. Even the (Reputation) songs, every single one of them.”
While Saric made his way to join the 92,000 other Swifties inside, sketch artist Chris Lloyd unpacked his bag with paints, pens, a miniature water bottle and a sketch pad. The artist has made a few headlines for creating quirky scenes at concerts.
“The Eras Tour is truly a cultural moment,” he said. “I think it goes beyond the concert. It’s special because of the community and not just because of what happens in those three hours.”
Lloyd has received attention from Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Sam Smith, Florence Pugh, Sabrina Carpenter and athletes from the British Olympic team. But it’s not always celebrity sketches that attract attention. The artist’s latest work, which depicts a security guard handing out water bottles at Saturday night’s show, has been viewed more than 320,000 times on Instagram.
“I’ve drawn so many pop stars now that I really enjoy picking out a stranger from the crowd who deserves to have something brilliant happen,” he said. “It also fits really well with the Swiftie energy. The community here is amazing and it’s just nice to give back.”
Swift set a new record for a solo artist in the UK arena. She mentioned the achievement when thanking her fans at the beginning of her show.
“Not only is this our last night in London, but it’s our last night on the European leg of the Eras Tour,” she boomed. “You’ve just made me the first solo artist to ever play Wembley eight times in a single tour. That you’ve done that for us is forever.”
Regardless of whether she announces a new album or not, fans are expecting a surprise before the confetti falls and the stage lights go out.
Swift is taking a two-month break before starting her final North American leg in Miami in October.
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