The start of Taylor Swift’s first Sydney show at Accor Stadium has been pushed back by at least half an hour as a wild storm hits the city.
Rain, thunder and lighting swept across the Sydney on Friday evening, with fans unable to take their seats due to storm warnings.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Taylor Swift fans evacuated from Accor Stadium amid storm warnings.
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The lower part of the arena, which is open to the elements, was evacuated, with fans instructed to “stay undercover”.
Social media footage showed bedraggled fans in protective rain gear moving out of the area.
“Please note, due to weather, show start time has been delayed,” Accor Stadium management said in a statement posted to X.
“Stay undercover until further notice and follow venue screens and staff instructions.
“Stay safe and remember to be kind to those around you.”
About 80,000 fans were expected to fill Accor Stadium for Friday night’s show.
Those sitting on the floor and in the lower bowl areas had to move inside after lightning strikes hit less than 10km from the stadium.
Swift was due to take to the stage at 7.30pm Sydney time.
The New South Wales Bureau of Meteorology issued a storm warning for the city on Friday afternoon for “damaging winds”, “large hail” and “heavy falls”.
Accor Stadium said the show would go ahead unless there was “severe weather which could impact the safety of artists and patrons.”
The memes, video footage and pictures of Swifties ducking for cover began flooding (excuse the pun) social media as the chaos unfolded.
“Sydney, get your s*** together. You’re embarrassing us,” one fan grumbled.
“Melbourne was supposed to be the one with s****y weather but it was perfect all weekend!”
There were second-by-second updates as things unfolded.
“Our security guard said they’re mopping up the wet and then lower bowl + floor will be let in,” one fan tweeted just before 7pm.
“The staff came out to reset the floor so we can start the show and everyone started screaming ‘n cheering, I think I am gunna cry,” wrote another.
By 7pm, blue skies were peeping through the storm clouds, and fans were being allowed back into the auditorium.
“WE ARE SO BACK #SydneyTSTheErasTour,” one fan wrote, sharing footage of excited fans heading back in.
