Taylor Swift reportedly contacted the families of the Southport stabbing victims before her concert at Wembley Stadium tonight. Tonight’s London performance was described as ‘the hardest concert of her career’ after three young girls lost their lives during a Swift-themed dance class in Merseyside.
Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were killed on July 29. Axel Rudakubana, 17, faces three murder charges and ten counts of attempted murder. Taylor Swift, returning to the UK for the first time since the tragedy, seemed emotional as she greeted 92,000 fans for the final European leg of her Era’s World Tour.
Though she did not explicitly mention the stabbing, sources say the three young victims were on her mind, deeply affecting her. An insider revealed, “Taylor reached out to the families of Elsie Dot, Alice, and Bebe. It’s a burden she’s carried heavily.”
📸 HQ Photos de Taylor Swift et Ed Sheeran sur scène hier soir ! #LondonTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/JvFI0NcUNd
— Taylor Swift FR 🗝️ (@TSwiftNewsFR) August 16, 2024
Swift expressed her shock and sorrow after the incident. “The horror of the Southport attack is overwhelming. I’m in complete shock,” she stated. “The loss and trauma inflicted on everyone involved is unimaginable.”
Following the tragedy, Swift cancelled three Vienna gigs due to a foiled ISIS terror plot. During tonight’s concert, Ed Sheeran joined Swift on stage. They performed “Everything Has Changed” and “End Game,” followed by an acoustic rendition of Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”
Swift praised Sheeran, calling him a ‘second brother.’ “He works so hard and still wanted to perform for you all,” she said. Another insider mentioned, “Ed and Taylor have been close for over a decade. His support tonight meant the world to her.”
Swift will perform four more shows in London, concluding the European leg of her tour. Enhanced security measures were in place, with hundreds of Metropolitan Police officers and security guards around the stadium. Following the foiled Vienna terror plot, police assured the public of their preparedness, with additional ticket checks and restrictions on fans without tickets.
Despite recent events, fans, known as Swifties, were in high spirits, trading friendship bracelets and dressing in themed outfits. Notable attendees included Idris Elba, who expressed his excitement and traded bracelets with a fan. Swift opened the concert with “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince,” followed by an emotional speech thanking the crowd.
During her “Red Era” segment, she wore a t-shirt reading ‘a lot going on at the moment,’ a nod to fans’ attentiveness to her messages. Swift gave her black hat to a young fan during “22,” embracing the girl who sang along. Fans praised the increased security. Brodie MacArthur, 23, noted, “After Vienna, it’s good to see the security efforts.” Katie Jackson, 18, added, “They wouldn’t proceed if it was dangerous.”
A touching moment saw a police officer trading bracelets with a young girl, highlighting the supportive fan community. Sophie Hutton, recovering from cancer, attended the concert thanks to Great Ormond Street hospital. Her mother called her ‘super brave,’ adding, “This is the perfect first outing post-hospital.”
Four siblings travelled from across the globe to attend the show, eager to secure the best spots in the stadium. Some fans faced delays due to wristband issues but remained undeterred. Lotty Evans, 18, felt secure despite the heightened security and understood why Swift did not mention the Southport attacks during her set.
Fans described the concert as an unforgettable experience. Charlotte Jones, 52, praised Swift’s stamina and kindness, while Beth Jones, 16, called it an “amazing experience.”
Both noted the top-tier security, ensuring they felt safe throughout the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Did Taylor Swift reach out to the families of the Southport stabbing victims?
Yes, Taylor Swift reportedly reached out to the families before her Wembley concert.
What was the hardest concert of Taylor Swift’s career?
The concert at Wembley after the Southport stabbing was said to be her hardest.
Who joined Taylor Swift on stage at Wembley?
Ed Sheeran joined Taylor Swift on stage at Wembley.
Why did Taylor Swift cancel her concerts in Vienna?
Taylor Swift canceled her Vienna concerts due to a foiled ISIS terror plot.
What actions were taken for security at Taylor Swift’s Wembley concert?
Hundreds of Metropolitan Police officers and security guards formed a steel ring around the stadium.
