Taylor Swift fans prepare for the singer’s Eras tour in Dublin

It has taken a long time, but the wait will soon be over.

Advance ticket sales for Taylor Swift’s performances in Dublin began about a year ago.

The playlists are on repeat, the friendship bracelets are tied and the cowboy boots are waiting for their first appearance – for those who managed to get tickets.

The record-breaking and globally renowned pop star brings his highly anticipated Eras tour to the Aviva Stadium for three sold-out nights from Friday 28 June.

So how do Swifties, a nickname for Taylor Swift fans, get ready for it?

There is excitement among members of the Taylor Swift Society at Queen’s University Belfast.

Songs play from a small speaker while fans are busy making colorful friendship bracelets – a reference to the lyrics of “You’re On Your Own Kid” – which are exchanged with other fans at the shows.

The colored beads and letters refer to the singer’s eras – to albums she has released -, songs or even inside jokes from her fans.

Some in the room don’t even have tickets and are just there to join in the fun.

The society’s president, 21-year-old Ellie McGuigan, said it was the fourth workshop they had held as part of the Swifties’ preparation for the show.

“We’ve done so many events throughout the year and everyone I talk to about the Eras tour asks, ‘What are you wearing? What’s your dream surprise song?'” she told BBC News NI.

Ellie said she has been a “full-fledged Swiftie” since she discovered the singer’s cameo in the 2009 film “Hannah Montana: The Movie.”

After a major ticket drive last summer, she will attend the show with her friend and fellow fan Amber Monahan.

“I’ve loved Taylor Swift forever, but I think I became a huge Swift fan when I was about 11 or 12 and ‘1989’ came out,” Amber explained.

“I had the CD and put it in my mom’s car and we would just drive around singing the songs and making up little harmonies and I’ve kind of stuck with her ever since.”

Whether you’re a Taylor Swift fan or not, you’ve probably seen a TikTok or two or even watched the Disney+ movie in which the 34-year-old sings some of her biggest hits on tour.

But Amber tried to avoid as many “spoilers” as possible.

“I took a quick look at the setlist to make sure there weren’t any songs I didn’t know… other than that, I haven’t really followed it on social media because I want everything to remain a surprise as much as possible,” she added.

Ellie also tried to limit herself by skipping the videos for Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, but it wasn’t easy.

“People kept asking us about it, so I don’t think we could have completely avoided the tour, even though we avoided spoilers,” she said.

Feather boas, glitter, and cowboy hats are staples in every Swiftie’s wardrobe, but showgoers like Ellie and Amber chose to customize their outfits to reflect different albums like Lover and Midnights.

Eliana Glazer and Róisín Costelloe have spent most of the year planning their tour looks.

“I waited four or five months until the outfit I wanted was back in stock,” Róisín said.

“I think I wanted to shoot it as a ‘debut,’ but I think it’s more towards the midnight side, so my jewelry will be all star-shaped to match my outfit.”

Eliana started planning her outfit nine months ago, hoping to coordinate with the seven other people in her circle of friends who were also coming.

“I have a dress at home that is so white and flowy that it gives off a kind of ‘Debut, Fearless’ vibe,” she explained.

“I’ve got some boots and (Róisin) gave me a black cowboy hat, so it all kind of fits together now.”

It will be the first time for Eliana and Róisín to see Swift in concert, and they both hope that she will play their favorite songs as surprises.

“I would like Timeless or the Hannah Montana song You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home,” Róisín admitted.

“She’s stirring up a craze on TikTok, everyone’s saying it could be a possibility!”

Many people will not be able to attend “Shaking It Off” at the Aviva, such as Ava Turnbull, as they were unable to get tickets last year.

She first became a Swiftie at the age of three after her former babysitter played the critically acclaimed 1989 album on repeat.

Today, a decade later, 13-year-old Ava is still as obsessed with Swift as she was back then.

“I love Taylor because she is a really good role model for everyone and works hard for everything she achieves,” she explained.

Swift even inspired her to start acting.

“My old babysitter taught me to play guitar when I was nine, and we always play Taylor Swift songs and mashups of all her songs together – it’s my favorite thing to do,” she said.

Ava and her family have tried everything to get tickets over the past year, and Ava has even saved money from her own busking gigs – but they couldn’t find any.

However, Ava can experience the magic of the Swifties without a ticket – even if only from a distance.

She and her friends have instead opted for “Taylor-Gate” – a term coined by ticketless fans who gather outside the venue to listen to the singer.

“We’re all going to dress up as different eras – I think I’m going to dress up as the Red album,” she said.

“We will be making friendship bracelets for each album and hope to give them to people outside the stadium.”

All three of Swift’s shows at the Aviva Stadium are sold out, but some third-party ticket sales sites are offering inflated ticket prices.

However, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) urges fans who use these sites to exercise caution.

Ticketmaster has announced that verified resale tickets are available for purchase on its website.

Support comes from the American rock band Paramore – led by Swift’s girlfriend Hayley Williams.

The trio is promoting their sixth album, “This Is Why,” and is expected to play nine songs from their extensive back catalog.

Williams and Swift recently collaborated on a re-recording of the latter’s Speak Now track “Castles Crumbling.”

Doors to the Eras Tour are scheduled to open at 5:00 p.m. local time, however some fans with early entry packages may be allowed into the venue as early as 3:00 p.m.

Event promoter MCD said the show will begin at 6 p.m. with opening act Paramore.

Swift is expected to begin her mammoth three-and-a-half-hour set at around 7:30 p.m.

If you thought Dublin was only Swift’s city during concert weekends, you’re wrong.

Numerous other events will take place in the capital of the Republic of Ireland, including: