Taylor Swift Liverpool plans in full as city to become 'Taylor Town'

The Beatles sang the Long and Winding Road but Liverpool is giving Swifties a proper Scouse welcome with the Taylor Town Trail.

As the city prepares to greet the music megastar to the birthplace of pop, a unique series of art installations are to be placed across the city centre, each inspired by a different Taylor Swift era. She will play three sold-out shows at Anfield from June 13 to June 15.

Council chiefs are keen to make the most of the US star's visit and to extend a huge welcome to fans descending on the city. As part of the build-up, a series of workshops, information stands and even a free "Tay Day" at the University of Liverpool are being put on across the city.

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Beginning on Saturday, June 8, Liverpool ONE, the Albert Dock and Metquarter will host works to reflect the style and stories of each album. Liverpool Council’s Culture Liverpool team has teamed up with creative social enterprise Make CIC and a host of artists and makers to curate the installations.

These include a moss-covered grand piano to represent the Evermore era; a 'red room' to represent the Red era; giant hearts representing the Lover era and a mural inspired by the number 13 and the Fearless era. A series of ticketed craft workshops - called Liverpool Loves Taylor (Craft Version) - will also be held at the Metquarter, where creative origami will eventually form part of one of the installations, transform t-shirts in a session called Swif-tee Transformation, upcycle denim, make collages and decorate cupcakes - all inspired by Taylor Swift.

Businesses and organisations across the city will be getting involved including the University of Liverpool who are hosting a Tay Day – a symposium for academics, students and fans to unpack the cultural impact of the Pennsylvania star. The event will include critical karaoke sessions, where researchers perform their findings to some of Taylor’s biggest hits and a series of interactive talks on subjects including her song lyrics, her award-winning albums and her place in feminism and the LGBTQ+ community.

A Liverpool Loves Taylor information stand will be in operation at Liverpool Lime Street Station from June 13-15. The team will be on hand to assist with any queries about what’s happening across the city and how to get to the concerts.

A Liverpool Loves Taylor banner has also been installed on the façade of St George’s Hall as an additional welcome to fans.

Fans without tickets are advised not to head to the stadium or the surrounding areas and there is strictly no camping permitted at the stadium or in the immediate vicinity, including local parks. Messaging for fans with tickets travelling to and from Anfield is available on the Liverpool Football Club website. Updates will be shared on social media in the lead up to the concerts and on each concert day.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool Council cabinet member for culture, health and wellbeing, said: “If there was ever going to be a city that would go all-out with a welcome for Taylor Swift and the Swifties it was bound to be Liverpool. For more than a year we’ve been watching the impact Taylor has had at every location on her tour date – wherever she goes, an entourage of adoring fans follow, and latest figures show they are traveling from across the globe to enjoy the European leg of the tour.

“We’re a city well-versed in welcoming visitors from across the globe – Eurovision being a prime example – and we wanted to use the unrivalled creative talent in this city to develop a unique trail which will attract people to the city centre, give them an experience they won’t get in any other location, and as a result encourage them to spend time making the most of our hospitality and leisure offer.

“This is all about using that Team Liverpool approach which works so well and has a tangible impact when it comes to boosting the local economy and supporting local businesses – and even though Taylor may only be in town for a matter of days, we hope the sector feels the impact for months to come.”

Kirsten Little, Make CIC co-founder, added: “We're thrilled to announce our partnership with Culture Liverpool for the Liverpool Loves Taylor project. This collaboration, which involves working closely with 12 talented local makers, is a testament to the vibrant artistic
talent thriving within our city.

“By showcasing the work of these artists through engaging installations, we're not only making art more accessible, but also actively contributing to the local economy, and highlighting Liverpool as a hub of creativity and innovation. This inclusive and accessible experience invites fans and visitors alike to immerse themselves in the energy of Liverpool's art scene, uniting Taylor Swift Fans, locals, and visitors to the city.”

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