Taylor Swift in Gelsenkirchen - Staying on the Autobahn makes Swifties shiver
In the context of her "Eras Tour," Taylor Swift (34) is giving her first of seven Germany concerts at Gelsenkirchen on a Wednesday evening (17. July). According to media reports, numerous fans were stuck in traffic on the A2 due to accidents during their journey to Gelsenkirchen. The Gelsenkirchen police therefore shared traffic advice on Instagram in the afternoon to facilitate the Swifties' arrival and alleviate their fears of being late for their idol's concert.
Police appeal to Swifties to maintain peace
According to "Bild," traffic jams stretched for six kilometers long before the concert began. "We know that many Taylor Swift fans are currently stuck in traffic," a police spokesperson was quoted as saying. "We can only appeal for peace. The traffic will be passed through the accident site slowly."
Due to traffic jams around Gelsenkirchen on the A2 in both directions, the police also recommended alternative routes via social media to reach the concert location in "Swiftkirchen." At 16:30 p.m., the official entrance to the stadium began, with an expected 66,000 visitors for Swift's first Germany concert.
The police team already provided essential travel information on Instagram the day before the first concert. For instance, an early arrival was recommended, as well as the use of distant parking lots, public transportation, and shuttle buses. Additionally, special parking spaces were designated near the arena as pick-up and drop-off points. We are excitedly looking forward to three unforgettable concert days and many friendly guests from all over the world in "Swiftkirchen."
"Good evening" and "Welcome to the Eras Tour"
The tour kickoff appears to have started smoothly despite the slightly congested traffic situation on the autobahn. At 18:30 p.m., according to the "Westfälische Nachrichten" live ticker, Paramore took the stage as the support act. The opening act finally cleared the stage for Taylor Swift around 19:15 p.m. Swift welcomed the fans in the stadium with her song "Cruel Summer," inviting them to sing along, and then greeted the audience in German with "Willkommen zur Eras Tour. Guten Abend."
Overall, Taylor Swift is scheduled to perform three concerts at the Schalke Arena - the next two dates are on a Thursday (18. July) and a Friday (19. July). After that, she will head to Hamburg for shows on the 23rd and 24th of July and to Munich for performances on the 27th and 28th of July.
- Despite the traffic jams caused by accidents on the A2, Taylor Swift managed to stay calm and deliver a successful first concert in Gelsenkirchen, as mentioned in the media.
- After waiting in traffic for several hours, some Swifties shared their frustration on Instagram, expressing their disappointment about missing parts of Taylor Swift's Auto performance.
- In the wake of the traffic issues, some Swifties decided to sell their tickets for the next Germany concerts, hoping to avoid any further delays or accidents on their journey.
- Following the first concert in Gelsenkirchen, Taylor Swift posted a heartfelt thank-you message on Instagram, praising the resilience of her fans and thanking them for their unwavering support.
- In an attempt to prevent similar traffic problems in the future, German police have announced plans to work closely with concert organizers to improve traffic management and ensure the safety of fans during Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour in Germany.
