CitationsThe Eras Tour will take Taylor Swift to Liverpool in June.
In a creative city trail honouring one of the biggest music performers on earth, artists are embracing everything Taylor Swift.
The singer’s three sold-out performances at Anfield Stadium on June 13–15 will transform Liverpool into “Taylor Town”.
From a moss-covered grand piano to a gold throne, local makers are working to complete installations on the “Taylor Trail” – part of city’s offering – by 8 June.
Having spent weeks crafting the piano, which was influenced by the singer’s Evermore album, one artist declared herself a “super Swiftie”.
Evermore piano inventor Rachel Smith-Evans
The social business Make CIC and the culture team at Liverpool Council are bringing the trail to the city, which will feature eleven art pieces that correspond to each of Taylor Swift’s albums.
Though none as opulent as the one inspired by Swift’s Cardigan song, Thornton resident Rachel Smith-Evans has adorned pianos before.
She said on BBC Radio Merseyside: “I was over the moon when they asked me because the first thing I thought of was, ‘I want to perform the moss piano’.
‘Her team will know’
The piano will be located in the Bluecoat Gardens and will be a “living installation”.
“We’ve had bumblebees land on it, I’ve found ladybirds, so it’s going to continue to grow hopefully and live on,” added Ms Smith-Evans.
“I’m definitely a super Swiftie now. I wouldn’t say I was one before but I am now.”
Bethan Flanagan will be running denim and tie-dye workshops in the Metquarter for fans
Kirsten Little, Make CIC’s co-founder, said fans would be “excited to see the trail”.
The installations will be seen at Liverpool One, Royal Albert Dock, the Metquarter, and eight other sites.
One site will feature a painting honouring the 34-year-old singer’s most recent album, The Tortured Poets Department, on College Lane in Liverpool.
Since she was listening to Swift’s songs while making the hand-cut mural, Liverpool resident Catherine Rogers claimed the artwork had “come to life”.
She said: “I get why people get so obsessed, because her lyrics tell a story.”
The path will include a serpentine gold-style throne honouring the Reputation era.
Alongside the path will be craft classes hosted by local artisans.
Fans wishing to embellish their own Eras Tour attire can take denim and tie-dye classes in the Metquarter with Bethan Flanagan.
“Incredible art” installations were the “right thing to do” according to Liverpool’s Director of Culture Claire McColgan, to restore “Eurovision sparkle”.
“Her team will know what we are doing and it’s important when you get an artist of her scale that the city embraces it.”
The UK leg of The Eras Tour kicks off in Edinburgh on 7 June before going to Liverpool, Cardiff and London.