Taylor Swift has wrapped up the Eras tour for good. Over the course of two years, she performed a staggering 149 shows, including eight in the capital.
The 35-year-old pop icon made history at Wembley Stadium, becoming the first solo artist to perform there eight times in a single tour. Swift’s record-breaking achievement surpassed Michael Jackson’s previous record, set during his Bad Tour in 1988.
During her time at Wembley this summer, Swift generated endless social media buzz, notably when her boyfriend Travis Kelce appeared on stage, was given the royal seal of approval when Prince William showcased his dad-dancing skills and welcomed a slew of A-listers to star-studded audience filled with A-list celebrities.
Looking back at her time in London, here are the most memorable highlights from her London run.
Ed Sheeran and Florence Welch join Swift for a duet
Longtime Swift collaborator Ed Sheeran popped up at the first gig of her second sold-out London run, much to the delight of fans.
"This is one of my best friends in the world," she told the crowd at the end of the set.
@giacomobeub What just happened !?? #ErasTour #taylorswift #edsheeran
♬ sonido original - Giacomo Benavides
"He works so hard, he's on tour right now and he's probably so tired but he wanted to come and play for you.”
Together, they played a medley of the two songs they’d made together - End Game and Everything Has Changed - before rounding things off by duetting for mega-Sheeran track Thinking Out Loud.
It wasn’t just Sheeran who stunned audiences with a surprise appearance as Florence Welch, of Florence + The Machine joined Swift to perform their duet, Florida!!!, from her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department.
@sabri.hmn IS THIS EVEN REAL???? #londonn8 #erastourlondon #taylorswift #florenceandthemachine #tstheerastourlondon #londontstheerastour #erastour
♬ son original - Sabri | le chanteur musclé
The pair belted out lyrics, “Say it’s unforgivable/What a crash, what a rush/F**k me up, Florida!”, to a crowd of more than 90,000 roaring fans.
The joint performance marked the first time Swift sang the track on tour since her April album release.
Travis Kelce’s surprise stage debut
Travis Kelce made a surprise appearance during her Tortured Poets Department set at night three in London.
The NFL star joined two of Swift’s dancers on stage, dressed in a top hat and tuxedo, while she changed from her cream dress into her I Can Do It With A Broken Heart set.
Kelce playfully applied makeup to the singer’s face during the skit, where the singer feigns reluctance to perform. In a dramatic moment, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end lifted his girlfriend and carried her across the stage, prompting an ecstatic response from the audience.
@ameliamanca TRAVIS KELCE ON THE STAGE OF THE ERAS TOUR #londontheerastour #tstheerastour #traviskelce #taylorswift #theerastour
♬ suono originale - ameliamanca
During another heart warming moment, Swift blew a kiss to Travis, who blushed as he exited the stage.
Throughout her first run in the capital, the couple had been seen grinning and waving at each other, with Kelce hosting in the VIP tent.
Prince William shakes it off
Prince William delighted fans with his gleeful 'dad dancing' at Swift's first London gig in June.
The US pop star posed for a selfie with the Prince of Wales, his children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and her boyfriend.
Footage later emerged of the royal breaking out his best moves as Swift performed her 2014 hit single Shake It Off.
The Prince and Princess of Wales's official X account posted an adorable photo of William, George, and Charlotte alongside Swift, which was captioned: “Thank you Taylor Swift for a great evening!”
I am sorry but prince william dancing to shake it off has me wheeeeeezing pic.twitter.com/hDyLxtJIdt
— nich (@sohighschooll) June 22, 2024
Soon after, Swift posted a selfie with the royals and her boyfriend, adding: “Happy birthday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start,” in a touching message to the heir for his 42nd birthday.
William and Swift have known each other for years, having shared the stage at Kensington Palace to perform Livin' On A Prayer with Jon Bon Jovi at a charity event in 2013.
Sir Paul McCartney dances with Swifties
Legendary Sir Paul McCartney didn’t just attend the Eras Tour; he joined in the fun by dancing with fans.
The Beatles star ventured out, exchanging friendship bracelets with Swifties and even took a moment to dance with a group.
Stepping away from the bustling VIP tent, the 82-year-old icon was captured dancing to one of her latest hits, But Daddy I Love Him, among the crowd.
@desilovestaylor This is the REAL Royalty at her show. Paul being there and clearly enjoying himself is all I ever wanted in life omfg I love this man so much. And I love that he was accompanied by his two dayghters🥹 #paulmccartney #taylorswift #thebeatles #taylorsversion #theerastour #swiftie #swiftok #erastour @Taylor Swift
♬ original sound - Desi (Taylor’s Version)
One fan shared on X: “Paul McCartney lived through Beatlemania and now he's experiencing Swiftie-mania six decades later.”
McCartney was also seen playing to the crowd as he walked across the standing area, waving his arms and greeting fans.
The Liverpudlian singer was joined by his fashion designer daughter Stella McCartney and his wife Nancy Shevell.
Tom Cruise trades friendship bracelets
Hollywood icon Tom Cruise made a splash at Swift's Eras Tour, joining Mission Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie in the VIP tent for two concerts in June.
The 61-year-old actor was all smiles as he danced along to Shake It Off, a clear favourite among celebrities in attendance. While Swift’s boyfriend shared a joyful moment with the movie star, placing his hands on his shoulders during the energetic performance.
@damarelll AND HE ASKED ME FOR A PHOTO AFTERWARDS!!! #tomcruise #theerastour #taylorswift #erastourlondon #theerastourlondon #london #wembley #vanillasky #swifties #actor #concert
♬ original sound - fauve
True to the tour's tradition, the Top Gun actor embraced the Swiftie spirit by exchanging friendship bracelets with fans in the crowd.
One excited fan captured the moment, expressing her admiration for his film Vanilla Sky, a 2001 sci-fi thriller that starred a younger Cruise.
Hugh Grant thanks Swift and her boyfriend
Another night, another celebrity sighting at the Eras Tour - this time with Hugh Grant enjoying the VIP tent.
"Dear @taylorswift13," he posted on X. "You have an incredible show, an amazing and hospitable team, and an excellent if gigantic boyfriend (#tequilashots)."
Dear @taylorswift13 , You have an incredible show, an amazing and v hospitable team and excellent if gigantic boyfriend (#tequilashots.). Thanks so much from one ageing London boy, wife and thrilled 8 year old #halfgirlhalfbracelet
— Hugh Grant (@HackedOffHugh) June 23, 2024
The Bridget Jones star attended the second night at Wembley, missing Travis Kelce’s stage appearance. During Taylor’s concert, the 63-year-old was spotted munching on carrots while dancing with his wife and daughter.
He added: “Thanks so much from one aging London boy, wife, and thrilled 8-year-old #halfgirlhalfbracelet.”
Andrew Scott and Phoebe Waller-Bridge hot-foot it to the VIP tent
In a delightful moment, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and her Fleabag co-star Andrew Scott were seen sprinting back to the VIP tent to catch her performance of Style.
The 38-year-old actress and director attended the Eras tour concert in June with her ‘hot priest' co-star, 47 and appeared to be having a ball as they were captured dancing in the A-list area with other celebrities like Sophie Turner.
However, one particular moment captured the hearts of Swifties online when the pair were casually walking away from the VIP tent, smiling and waving at fans, possibly heading for a drink or a restroom break.
@fahi.maaa not Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Andrew Scott running back when they hear Style lmao #erastourtaylorswift #tstheerastour #taylorswift #ttpd #traviskelce #erastourlondon #phoebewallerbridge #andrewscott
♬ original sound - Fahima
But as soon as the first notes of Style echoed through the stadium, the All of Us Strangers stopped abruptly, grabbed Waller-Bridge’s arm, and shook his head.
Realising they didn't want to miss the performance, he took her hand, and they both dashed back to the tent, eager to enjoy the hit song.
Surprise acoustic sets featuring Hayley Williams, Gracie Abrams and Jack Antonoff
Every Swiftie anticipates the highlight of the evening: discovering which surprise songs she’ll play during her acoustic set.
Each night of her tour, the Wildest Dream singer delights her audience with a several tracks from her extensive catalog. London audiences were treated to unforgettable moments, including a seamless mashup of tracks from 1989, seamlessly transitioning from Out of the Woods to Is It Over Now? and the poignant Clean.
😭 Hayley Williams struggles to find her mark to exit the stage after performing Castles Crumbling#LondonTSTheErastour pic.twitter.com/xaWd3wtH9q
— The Eras Tour UK & Ireland (@TheErasTourUK) June 23, 2024
The crowd erupted with joy when Swift delivered a powerful mashup of Hits Different and Death By a Thousand Cuts on the first night of her Eras Tour in London in June, followed by emotional performances of The Black Dog and Come Back...Be Here.
The excitement peaked on night two in June when Paramore’s Hayley Williams joined her on stage for a piano duet of Castles Crumbling. Despite their chemistry, the Misery Business singer hilariously struggled to find her exit in the dark, needing assistance to leave.
🚨| Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams performing "us." for the first time ever at today's show! #LondonTSTheErasTour
— The Eras Tour (@tswifterastour) June 23, 2024
pic.twitter.com/WsswCLn7UP
Swift’s third London show in June featured a special appearance by Gracie Abrams, who joined her for a heartfelt rendition of their new song Us, days prior
Then on the final night of the European leg of her tour, Swift brough out her longtime writing and producing partner Jack Antonoff, with whom she’s worked on all of her albums since 2014’s 1989.
She told fans: “I think a lot about why I’m lucky enough to get to do a show like the Eras Tour, and it’s because I’ve been fortunate enough to find friendships over the years that have been incredible collaborative and creative.
taylor and jack reenacting the making of getaway car pic.twitter.com/MGa0jOsP19
— Taylor Swift Updates (@TSUpdating) August 20, 2024
“I get to make music with one of my best friends in the world, and he’s here tonight.”
Together the pair performed Death By A Thousand Cuts, which she had played on the first night of her London dates, as well as Reputation fan-favourite Getaway Car.
Fittingly, Swift ended the “surprise song” portion of the evening with So Long London, which is thought to reference her ex-boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, to mark her final show in the capital.
