Update at 7:57 pm: In a post on social media as fans waited out the storm, Swift said she would see her people on Sunday night soon.
“I know there’s talk about the rainy weather vibe tonight but I’m ready to play,” Swift said after reflecting on the first two nights of sold-out concerts in Nashville.
Nissan Stadium doubled down on Swift’s comments minutes later by telling ticket holders to wait “just a little bit longer.”
The venue shared via Twitter, “Remember to stay safe while we’re still under Shelter in Place. We continue to wait for the lightning to pass.”
Update at 7:05 pm: Concert organizers expected Swift to take the stage at a “delayed start time,” the venue shared around 7pm on Twitter.
“Due to lightning in the area, Nissan Stadium will remain under Shelter in Place until the current storm passes,” organizers shared. The statement continued, “More information will be released ASAP.”
Original story (updated at 6:20 pm): Nissan Stadium officials asked Taylor Swift fans to shelter in place Sunday night as a severe storm moved into Nashville.
Swift headlined the outdoor venue in Nashville on Sunday for the third night in a row on her expansive ‘Eras’ tour.
“For those at Nissan Stadium, please proceed to the shelter areas as directed by staff,” said a statement from the venue posted on social media at 5:40 pm CST. “Please remain calm and proceed through the covered and indoor areas of the stadium.”
Thunderstorms producing lightning moved into Davidson County around 5:30 p.m., prompting concert organizers to issue an advisory. Shortly after the shelter-in-place went into effect, the National Weather Service shared that “those in the downtown Nashville area are in the path of this storm and should prepare for lightning.”
The ‘Eras’ tour usually kicks off around 6:30 pm local time with two opening acts — Pheobe Bridgers and Gracie Abrams for Sunday night — before Swift takes the stage at 8 pm But the show must remain on pause while the lightning remains in place. The venue stops entertainment when lightning strikes within eight miles of the stage.
After 30 minutes of no lightning for eight miles, the show could go on. Concert officials are working with Nashville Office of Emergency Management and National Weather Service to determine when a show needs to be paused. The concert may go ahead if the rain stays in the area without lightning.
If a concert guest arrives at the stadium during a shelter-in-place ordinance, they must wait in the car until organizers give a clear statement. through social media.
“The next few hours are going to be dicey across Nashville Metro,” the National Weather Service tweeted around 5 pm Sunday. “Storms are already around and it looks like more extensive activity will come in before 8 pm”
As rain pelted the stage and stadium seats, fans waited out the storm with impromptu singalongs inside the concourse, according to multiple videos posted on social media.
“WE ARE READY,” one fan tweeted with a short video of fans singing Swift’s 2019 song “Cruel Summer.” Another section of shelter-in-place fans led a singalong to the throwback hit “You Belong With Me.”
Another concert-goer posted a video of the steady rain, comparing the storm to the popular Disneyland ride Splash Mountain.
This is a developing story. Return to Tennessean.com for more information.
