The capital city of Sweden changed its name temporarily to honor Taylor Swift and her massively successful Eras Tour. Swift was set to perform three nights in Friends Arena.
“We are from a very small town of 400 in central Illinois,” says Jennifer Crane of Paxton. She held up a copy of her hometown newspaper, the “Ford County Chronicle,” and took a photo in front of the arena with her sister, niece and friend from Chicago. “We’re taking a photo because we’ll be the front page.”
Crane says the Swedish show was much cheaper than getting a nosebleed ticket in Indianapolis, New Orleans or Miami, the three locations Swift will bring the Eras Tour in America this fall.
The stadium had a few rules Americans adapted to: a 13-year-old age restriction and a no-bag policy.
“Normally, we do clear bags at all events in America, so we had to get creative,” Crane says. “Phones on straps, pockets on pants. So many pockets. Lipstick in our pockets. But we’re fine.”
No bags are allowed inside the arena for security reasons, including transparent bags, fanny packs, purses, backpacks, etc. The only exception is “for medical reasons and for 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren’s diaper bags,” according to the Friends Arena stadium website.
“I’ve been avoiding spoilers,” says Andy Lindsey waiting in line with a vibrant, multi-colored, “Karma”-esque coat. “I really want to see ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ set since that’s the newest stuff.”
Lindsey traveled from Champaign, Illinois. The audience of hundreds waiting for the doors to open for VIP did not include kids under 13 years old due to a Swedish restriction.
