So long, Liverpool. Ahead of Taylor Swift‘s upcoming Eras Tour shows, the English city is now known as “Taylor Town.”
The city is currently in the process of unveiling a temporary makeover to prepare for the pop star’s three performances slated for June 13-15 at Anfield Stadium, starting with the tailored — or should we say, Tay-lored — name change. Plus, local creatives are designing 11 individual art installations inspired by each of Swift’s studio albums to form a “Taylor Town Trail,” including a playable moss-covered grand piano representing Evermore, a “red room” encapsulating Red and a Fearless mural based on the singer’s lucky number, 13.
Banners spelling out “Taylor” have also already gone up across the front of St. George’s Hall in the center of town, as captured in photos from local Swifties.
“One of the biggest stars on the planet is coming to the birthplace of pop,” reads a notice on the Liverpool City Council website. “And to mark this musical moment for the ages, there are plans in place to give Swifties a proper scouse welcome.”
The city is also planning a series of ticketed craft workshops — aka Liverpool Loves Taylor (Craft Version) — where fans can make origami pieces that will be added to one of the 11 main art installations. Participants will also be able to work on homemade Swif-tee shirts, collages and cupcakes inspired by the “Anti-Hero” singer.
The University of Liverpool is getting involved, too, by hosting a free “Tay Day” symposium for academics, students and fans to “unpack the cultural phenomenon that is Taylor Swift,” according to the city council’s notice. “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.”
Liverpool is just the latest Eras Tour locale to go all out ahead of Swift’s arrival. For instance, Glendale, Ariz., temporarily changed its name to “Swift City” in lieu of the 14-time Grammy winner’s kickoff show there in spring 2023, while Rio de Janeiro projected the image of a Taylor-themed T-shirt onto its iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in November.
Take a peek at Liverpool’s Swiftie celebrations below.
