The Taylor Swift concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA is one of the most highly anticipated concerts of the year. Fans are eager to know what time the concert starts so they can plan their arrival and avoid missing any of the action. In this article, we’ll provide a quick overview of the key details around the start time for the Taylor Swift concert at Gillette Stadium.
What Time Does the Concert Start?
According to the Gillette Stadium website and Swift’s social media, the concert is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM EST on Saturday, October 21, 2023. This start time is when Swift will take the stage for her first song.
Gillette Stadium typically opens doors to concerts 2 hours prior to the scheduled start time. Therefore, doors for the Taylor Swift concert will likely open at 5:30 PM EST to allow time for fans to pass through security, find their seats, visit concessions stands, and soak in the pre-show atmosphere.
Are There Any Opening Acts?
Yes, Taylor Swift will have two opening acts that will perform before she takes the stage at 7:30 PM. The opening acts help build excitement and energy in the stadium leading up to Swift’s highly anticipated headlining performance.
The two opening acts for the Gillette Stadium show are Gracie Abrams and OWENN. Gracie Abrams is scheduled to perform from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM. OWENN will then take the stage from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
This schedule allows for 30 minute sets from each opener, followed by a half hour changeover before Taylor Swift starts her show promptly at 7:30 PM EST.
What Time Should I Arrive?
To ensure you are able to pass through security and get to your seat in time for the opening acts, it is recommended to arrive at Gillette Stadium no later than 5:30 PM EST when the doors open.
You may want to arrive even earlier if you anticipate lengthy travel or parking delays getting to the stadium. Leaving extra time will prevent you from feeling rushed once you arrive on site.
If you only care about seeing Taylor Swift and are not interested in the opening acts, you should still plan to arrive by 7:00 PM EST at the very latest. This will account for the large crowds and extra security protocols that are common for major concerts.
Cutting it too close to the 7:30 PM start time risks missing part of Swift’s set or being stuck in line when she takes the stage.
Can I Still Get Good Tickets?
At the time this article was written, there were still tickets available for the Taylor Swift concert through official ticket seller Ticketmaster. However, many sections are filling up fast as the concert date approaches.
Your best bet for getting good seats is to buy your tickets as soon as possible. Expect the remaining tickets to sell out completely in the coming days and weeks.
VIP packages with perks like premium seating, pre-show receptions, and exclusive merchandise are also still available directly through Taylor Swift’s website. These special packages sell out very quickly and provide the best concert experience for die-hard Swift fans.
Don’t get caught trying to buy last minute tickets right before the concert. Prices often skyrocket on resale sites when demand spikes leading up to showtime. Take action now to get great seats at face value directly from the official ticket sellers.
How Long Will the Concert Last?
Based on set times from previous shows on Taylor Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour, you can expect her to perform for around 2 hours once she hits the stage.
Concerts at large stadium venues like Gillette Stadium typically have strict curfews. For this show, Swift will need to finish performing by around 11:00 PM EST.
Therefore, fans should anticipate the concert wrapping up between 10:30 PM and 11:00 PM EST. Of course, this is barring any unforeseen delays or schedule changes.
After the concert concludes, there is usually about an hour of crowd exiting time required to empty out the massive Gillette Stadium capacity. Make sure to account for this in any post-show plans.
What Will the Setlist Be?
Taylor Swift has not formally announced a setlist for her Gillette Stadium concert. However, fans can expect her to play many of her signature hits and fan favorites. She will also likely incorporate several songs from her latest record breaking album, Midnights.
Based on recent Reputation Stadium Tour setlists, some safe bets for songs she might perform include:
– Shake It Off
– Love Story
– You Belong With Me
– Bad Blood
– I Knew You Were Trouble
– We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
– Blank Space
– Look What You Made Me Do
– Gorgeous
– Delicate
– Getaway Car
– Dress
– Call It What You Want
– New Year’s Day
Of course, Swift has an extensive discography of iconic songs to choose from, so the actual setlist may vary. But these popular hits give a good indication of what fans can anticipate hearing at the Gillette Stadium concert.
Will There Be an Opening Act?
Yes, Taylor Swift will have opening acts performing before she takes the stage on her Reputation Stadium Tour. Opening acts help set the tone for the night and get fans energized for the headlining performance.
For the Gillette Stadium stop, Swift has chosen rising pop singer Camila Cabello and Grammy winning rapper Charli XCX to open the show.
Camila Cabello is expected to perform first starting around 7:00 PM EST. Her set will last for roughly 30-45 minutes.
Next up will be Charli XCX, taking the stage around 8:00 PM. She’ll also get a 30-45 minute slot to showcase songs from her newest album.
Finally, Taylor Swift will hit the stage around 9:00 PM after her supporting acts wrap up their sets. The openers give fans a taste of live music while building excitement leading up to the main event.
What Restrictions Are There on Bags?
Gillette Stadium has implemented security restrictions on the size and type of bags that can be brought into concerts. This helps ensure the safety of fans and allows security to operate more efficiently.
Bags larger than 14″ x 14″ x 6″ are prohibited. This is about the size of a small handbag or clutch. Larger purses, backpacks, luggage, etc will need to be returned to your vehicle.
Acceptable types of bags include:
– Small purses
– Clutches
– Clear plastic bags
– Small fanny packs
– Gallon-sized freezer bag
Diaper bags and medically necessary items are exceptions to these rules but will require additional inspection.
To avoid bag check delays, only bring essential personal items and leave bulky bags at home. Be prepared for long lines and extra screening if you attempt to enter with unapproved bags.
Can I Bring a Camera?
You are allowed to bring simple point-and-shoot cameras and camera phones into the Taylor Swift concert at Gillette Stadium.
Professional cameras with detachable lenses (DSLR or mirrorless) are prohibited. Video cameras and GoPro devices are also not permitted.
Basic rules around concert cameras are:
– Must be smaller than 6” x 4” x 6”
– No professional lenses over 2”
– No tripods, attachments, or extras
Photos and videos are allowed for personal enjoyment, but recordings of entire songs or performances is not allowed without approval. Flash photography can be disruptive to other fans, so use it sparingly.
Stick to simple selfies and snapshots rather than trying to sneak in expensive pro photography gear. Enjoy the moments without viewing the concert constantly through a camera.
How Should I Get to the Stadium?
Gillette Stadium offers several options for getting to and from the venue on concert night:
Public Transit – Local MBTA commuter rail trains will run special schedules before and after shows to Foxboro Station, located adjacent to the stadium. Round trip tickets can be purchased in advance.
Shuttles – Stadium shuttles are available from Boston and Providence. Purchase round trip shuttle tickets ahead of time for a seamless ride.
Rideshare – Services like Uber and Lyft can drop off and pick up at designated areas near stadium entrances. Prices surge before and after big events.
Parking – Stadium lots open 4 hours before showtime. Purchase parking passes online in advance since spaces fill up fast. Expect post-show exits to be very slow.
Carpooling and public transit are best for reducing traffic jams. Have a detailed transportation plan and backup option if driving yourself. Allow plenty of extra time to navigate around thousands of other excited Swifties!
Where Should I Sit?
With a capacity of over 65,000 seats, Gillette Stadium gives Taylor Swift fans a lot of options for where to sit. Here are some seating tips:
Lower Level: Sections closest to the main stage on the arena floor provide an immersive view of the production. Tickets are pricey but worth it for big fans.
100 Level: The lowest bowl has great sight lines and puts you closer to the extended catwalks and B-stages. Swift circulates around during shows.
200 Level: Higher rows still offer full stage views and close-ups on video boards. More affordable option but farther away.
Floor: General Admission standing room lets you get close and dance. Limited views for shorter fans. Can get crowded.
End Zone: These behind-the-stage seats are the cheapest option. Views are distant but big screens show close-ups.
There are advantages to every section, so prioritize proximity, price, or uniqueness when choosing seats. Arrive early to enjoy exploring around the stadium before the show starts.
Should I Buy Merchandise?
Taylor Swift concerts are known for offering exclusive branded merchandise that fans love collecting. If you want to purchase a t-shirt, hoodie, hat, poster, or other souvenir, be prepared to budget extra cash.
Merchandise booths open as soon as doors open, so arrive early for the best selection. Lines get very long later into the night. Popular items sell out fast, so buy coveted gear as soon as possible.
It’s smart to bring a little extra to cover sales tax, shipping costs, or impulse last minute purchases. There are ATMs inside but they too have long wait times.
You can only use credit/debit cards for purchases, no cash is accepted. If buying multiples, keep your party together to save time. Enjoy showing off your new concert swag!
What Else Should I Know?
Here are some additional tips to make your Taylor Swift concert experience smooth and enjoyable:
– Charge your phone beforehand so you can take photos/videos, use apps for tickets/maps, and connect with friends in the stadium. But be mindful of blocking views of others.
– Wear comfortable shoes and dress for variable weather. Outdoor concerts mean lots of standing and walking around the stadium. Layers help during cooler nights.
– Eat before or bring snacks to save money on venue food. Hydrate with refillable plastic water bottles.
– Use earplugs if concerned about hearing damage from loud music. Focus on protecting your health.
– Travel light for quicker security checks. Carry essentials only in clear plastic bags. Don’t overload yourselves.
– Arrive early to soak in the atmosphere. Give yourself extra time to find your seats and check out vendors and displays.
Most importantly, relax and have the time of your life seeing Taylor Swift live in concert! Take lots of pictures and make memories to cherish.
Conclusion
Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated concert at Gillette Stadium promises to be an amazing night full of great music. Now that you know when doors open, who the openers are, what you can bring, and other key details, you can finalize your plans for the big show. Arrive early, buy your merch, settle into your seats, and get ready to dance and sing along with Taylor! This guide will help ensure your concert experience goes off without a hitch so you can have a stress-free night enjoying your favorite artist.