Taylor Swift breaks Wembley record as UK tour ends

Taylor Swift has concluded the European leg of her Eras Tour with a record-breaking performance at Wembley Stadium, where she entertained over 1. 2 million fans this summer. The concert was filled with surprises, including special guests like Florence + The Machine and Jack Antonoff. During the show, Swift premiered a new music video and performed her song 'So Long, London' live for the first time. This concert marked her eighth performance at Wembley this summer, breaking the previous record held by Michael Jackson during his Bad Tour in 1988. Swift expressed her gratitude to the audience, saying, 'You just made me the first solo artist to ever play Wembley eight times in a single tour. ' She also tied the record for the most nights at Wembley on a single tour, previously set by Take That in 2011. The Eras Tour has been a remarkable journey, spanning across Europe and culminating in this grand finale at Wembley, which was the 131st date of her two-year tour. In the UK alone, Swift performed for nearly 1. 2 million fans, contributing an estimated £1 billion to the economy. Interestingly, during her performance of 'Ready For It? ', scientists in Edinburgh recorded the ground moving by a tiny amount, showcasing the impact of her music. Swift shared her love for performing in London, stating, 'I've always loved playing for you here in London, but this is the best. ' She felt a deep connection with the crowd, noting how they seemed to know every lyric to her songs, which made the experience even more special. The concert was not just about the music; it was also about the shared moments between Swift and her fans. One of the standout moments was when Florence Welch joined her on stage to sing 'Florida! ', creating an electric atmosphere as the two artists belted out the chorus together. Fans eagerly anticipate the acoustic set, where Swift surprises them with two songs that are not part of the regular setlist. For the final show, she performed 'So Long, London', a song believed to reflect on her past relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn. The lyrics express feelings of loss and frustration, as she sings, 'You left me at the house by the Heath. And I'm pissed off you let me give you all that youth for free. ' After the concert, Swift surprised her fans with a brand new music video that played on the stadium's big screens, showcasing behind-the-scenes footage from the tour. This video highlighted the scale of the Eras Tour, including how Swift travels and prepares for her performances. Despite the joy of the tour, there have been somber moments as well. Tragically, three young girls lost their lives in a violent incident at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. Swift reached out to the families affected by this tragedy, expressing her heartfelt condolences. However, she chose to focus on the sense of community that has emerged during the tour, where fans exchange friendship bracelets and form new connections. The excitement surrounding the tour has led to fans meticulously tracking every costume change and surprise song throughout the journey. At Wembley, Swift embraced the love from her audience, stating that it was 'a privilege to do the thing I love, in front of any size crowd at all. ' She described the Eras Tour as the 'most exhausting, all-encompassing but most joyful, most rewarding, most wonderful thing that has ever happened in my life. ' After this incredible summer, Swift will take a well-deserved break before continuing her tour across the US and Canada in the fall. When the tour concludes in Vancouver this December, it is projected to have generated around $2 billion in ticket sales, solidifying its status as the biggest tour of all time.