Update at 7:57 p.m.: In a social media post as fans waited out the storm, Swift said she’d be seeing her Sunday night crowd soon.
“I know there’s been talk of rainy weather 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 “a little bit longer.”
The venue shared on Twitter, “Remember to stay safe while we’re still under Shelter in Place. Still waiting for the lightning to pass.”
Update at 7:05 p.m.: Concert organizers expect Swift to take the stage at a “late start time,” as the venue was shared around 7 p.m. on Twitter.
“Due to the lightning in the area, the Nissan Stadium will remain under shelter in place until the current storm passes,” the organizers shared. “More information will be released as soon as possible,” the statement added.
Original story (updated at 6:20pm): Nissan Stadium officials told Taylor Swift fans to take shelter Sunday night as severe storms rolled into the city of Nashville.
Swift is headlining the Nashville Outdoors on Sunday for the third consecutive time on her expanded “Eras” tour.
“For those at Nissan Stadium, please proceed to sanctuary areas as directed by staff,” a statement from the venue posted to social media at 5:40 p.m. CST read. Please remain calm and head to the covered and indoor areas of the stadium.
Thunderstorms caused by lightning entered Davidson County around 5:30 PM, causing concert organizers to issue the warning. Shortly after shelter-in-place implementation began, the National Weather Service reported 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 6:30pm local time with two opening shows – Pheobe Bridgers and Gracie Abrams on Sunday night – before Swift takes the stage at 8pm but the show has to stay off while the lightning is still in the area. The venue ceases to entertain when lightning strikes eight miles from the theatre.
After 30 minutes of no lightning strikes within eight miles, the show can resume. Ceremony officials work with Nashville Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service to determine when the show should be paused. The concert can continue if it continues to rain in the area without lightning.
If a concert-goer arrives at the stadium during the Venue Protection Ordinance, they must wait in the car until the organizers give full clearance. via social media.
“The next few hours are going to be very suspicious across Metro Nashville,” the National Weather Service wrote on Twitter at around 5 p.m. Sunday. “Stores are already in the vicinity and it looks like the most prevalent activity will move in before 8pm.”
With heavy rain pouring down on the stage and stadium seats, fans waited out the storm with impromptu songs inside the concourse, in multiple videos posted to social media.
“We’re ready,” a fan tweeted a short video of fans singing Swift’s 2019 song “Cruel Summer.” He led another section of fans in the place where they are sheltering with the song “You Belong With Me”.
Another party visitor posted a video of the constant rain, comparing the storm to Disneyland’s famous ride Splash Mountain.
This is a developing story. Check back with Tennessean.com for more information.
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