Taylor Takes Indy: Photos from the streets on the first night

If you couldn’t make it, you can still feel the vibe with these great photos taken by Keith Griner and courtesy of visitindy.com

Two women in purple feather boas
Indy: Taylor street scenes on the night of her first concert. Keith Griner photo.
Young girls dancing
Photographer Keith Griner’s pics of the first night of the Taylor Swift Indy concert catch the mood.
Photo by Keith Griner shows Taylor taking over Indy.
Taylor fans are ready for the big night. Photo Keith Griner.
Some 200,000 people were expected to visit Indy over the weekend because of the concert. Photo by Keith Griner.
Keith Griner photo.

Taylor Swift in Indianapolis: The Eras Tour

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is ending its U.S. run this weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy.  Starting tomorrow night and running until Sunday, November 3, Swift will be playing three shows with an opening act by Gracie Abrams.

Taylor Swift

To say the city is abuzz would be a huge understatement. Indy has geared up in a big way with events not only for those who can afford the ticket price—a quick look at prices on vividseats.com shows a range from $29,221 to $240,424 with a purchase minimum of 2 to 4.

TICKET OR NOT EXPECT A DINO-MITE/MEGA TIME

But even if the price is too steep, you can still get the ultimate Taylor vibe by visiting Indy this weekend where it’s all things Taylor full time. After all, even the dinosaurs at the Indianpolis Children’s Museum are Swifties, catch them wearing friendship bracelets.

“It’s all about giving everyone a mega experience whether they’re going to a concert or not,” says Clare Clark, Senior Communications Manager for Visit Indy, who estimates that about 200,000 Swifties will travel to Indianapolis.

HERE’S THE LOW DOWN

“Get ready to shake it off and dive into a weekend that’s pure magic!’” reads the press release.  “Whether you’re on a quest for friendship bracelets or ready to dance to live music, this city is turning up the volume on all things Taylor. From museum events that will make you feel like you’re in a love story, to trivia games that’ll have you saying, “I remember it all too well,” there’s something for every Swiftie in Indy.”

And indeed there is.

SWIFT CITY SESSIONS, FOOD TRUCKS, SPARK ON MONUMENT CIRCLE, AND MORE

The music never stops in Indy. Throughout downtown, Indy Arts Council will host over 120 local pop-up performances featuring musicians and spoken word artists, at over 13 iconic locations in the city like Bicentennial Unity Plaza, the Indiana Repertory Theatre, Lugar Plaza, Hudnut Commons, and Monument Circle. Plus make & take art stations in the Indianapolis Artsgarden, offering eras-themed crafts like your own eras-themed sunglasses, flower crowns, guitar pics, friendship bracelets, and more.

TAYLOR SWIFT CODED SPOTS

13 Taylor Swift-Coded Spots for you to enjoy.

CITYWIDE INSTALLATIONS:

• A 34-story Taylor Swift decal is installed on the side of the JW Marriott.

• 32 city street signs were renamed in honor of Taylor Swift.

• Welcome signage deployed throughout IND.

• Dino-sized friendship bracelets at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum.

INDY IS SERVING SOME SWIFT-INSPIRED SIPS TO GET YOU INTO THE CONCERT SPIRIT

Enjoy Sun King Brewery’s Cherry Limeade Ale, dubbed “1,2,3 Let’s Go B*tch.” This refreshing ale blends cherry and lime flavors, perfect for those who enjoy a fruity and tart beverage. With its bright color and crisp taste, it’s ideal for summer sipping or as a fun addition to any gathering.

NO CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS HERE

Don’t miss the Eras Cider Box at Ash & Elm Cider Co. which is themed ciders and a lively atmosphere celebrating Taylor’s Eras Tour. This collection features a variety of ciders inspired by Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Each cider offers a distinct flavor profile, allowing you to explore different tastes while celebrating the Swiftie in all of us. 

FOOD TRUCK SCHEDULE: SWIFTIES GOTTA EAT

Monument Circle at SPARK
Friday: 12–8 pm
Saturday: 12–8 pm
Sunday: 12–8 pm

Hudnut Commons on Maryland Street
Friday: 12–8 pm
Saturday: 12–8 pm
Sunday: 12–8 pm

Taylor Swift

MERCH SALES

Not all destinations let those not attending a Swift concert by merchandise, but really it’s like going on vacation and now coming home with a t-shirt. Were you really there? The same questions arises, according to Visit Indy, if you don’t take home merch, did you even go?

Commemorate your Eras Tour experience by loading up on merch in the Indiana Convention Center (Hall I) which is conveniently across the street from Lucas Oil Stadium. Please be patient and expect long lines.

MERCHANDISE OPEN HOURS:

Wednesday: 10 am–8 pm
Thursday:  10 am–8 pm
Friday: 12–8 pm
Saturday: 12–8 pm
Sunday: No Merch Sales at Center

GETTING THERE

PARKING NEAR LUCAS OIL STADIUM

Although downtown Indianapolis has over 73,000 parking spots, demand is expected to exceed supply during Taylor Swift’s three-night stop at Lucas Oil Stadium. Luckily, several options are available to reserve parking in advance, ensuring you can enjoy the event without worry.

  • iPark Solutions: Spots range from $100-$175
  • ParkWhiz: Spots range from $40 to $200.
  • ParkMobile: 200 N. Illinois St. spots available for $67.20. Parking is between 5 pm and midnight on show days. Download the ParkMobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store. You can also use the app to find day-of parking around downtown Indianapolis.
  • SpotHero: Spots near Lucas Oil Stadium range from $75 to $100.
  • Denison Parking: Prices range from $31 (furthest) to $86 (closest).

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION

Transportation options like Rideshare, Pacers Bikeshare, and IndyGo are encouraged.

RIDESHARE (TWO ZONES)

  • South St. between Missouri & West St.
    Between 10 pm–1 am
  • Lilly Lot at Delaware & South St.
    Between 10 pm–1 am
  • NOTE: Demand for Rideshare is expected to exceed capacity. Expect surge charges and long waits.

PARENT PICKUP ZONE

  • Lilly Lot at Delaware & South St.
    Between 10 pm–1 am

DROP OFF ZONE

  • McCarty Street south of LOS

INDYGO

IndyGo, with the rapid transit Red Line and new Purple Line, makes a convenient option to and from the stadium. Check out IndyGo’s guide to Taylor Swift Weekend here.

For more information on all the Swiftie events, click here.

The best book and song pairings from Taylor Swift’s new album, “Midnights”

Didn’t get a ticket for Taylor Swift’s upcoming tour? Don’t despair. Think of all the money you saved when jamming out instead to Midnights along with a good book instead. The librarians at Libby, an app for borrowing ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more that let’s you borrow from your local library for free, went track by track to come up with pairings to go along with the new album,  check out that list here.

The best part? Unlike a $700+ floor seat and hours of Ticketmaster torture, these books are free. So instead of a credit card, just whip out your library card.

Give credit to Joe Skelley (see his bio below) who works for Libby.

Midnights Book/Song Pairings

It Happened One Summer

 Lavender Haze

📚 It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Piper Bellinger is an Instagram wild child with a trust fund and a penchant for riling up the paparazzi. A lot of people make assumptions about her, including Brendan—at first. Both characters show that there’s more than meets the eye and they don’t give a darn what people think if they’re meant to be together.


The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

♫ Maroon

📚 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

No spoilers here but IYKYK—this song fits the bill.


New Moon

♫ Anti-Hero

📚 New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Jokes about Jacob Black and Renesmee aside, this song captures the vibe of the franchise and the era of the books and movies so well. Whether it evokes Bella’s four-month depression (Hello, One day I’ll watch as you’re leaving / And life will lose all its meaning), Edward feeling like “a monster on the hill” and a danger to his love, or truly the “covert narcissism” disguised “as altruism” from just about every Cullen, this song has the Twilight franchise covered.


♫ Snow on the Beach

📚 The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Addie makes a deal with the devil and lives forever, but is forgotten by everyone she meets. That’s until she meets a man who remembers her name. A lot of her life and loves feel like snow on the beach: weird but beautiful and, often, impossible.


I'm Glad My Mom Died

♫ You’re On Your Own, Kid

📚 I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

With lyrics like, I didn’t choose this town, I dream of getting out and I hosted parties and starved my body / Like I’d be saved by a perfect kiss down to the repetition of You’re on your own, kid, you always have been, this song evokes so many of the feelings Jennette describes throughout her book: navigating life with her mother, being forced into Hollywood and just doing her best to survive.


The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers

♫ Midnight Rain

📚 The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers by Adam Sass

Micah is the “Prince of Chicago.” He runs a popular (anonymous) Instagram filled with drawings of his numerous, imaginary boyfriends. He’s got it all, but knows he’s so much more than that. When Boy 100 turns into his very first boyfriend, he finds that love is so much more than what’s been living in his head. He has to fight the hurt as he tries to make his own name while Boy 100 is chasing the fame.


Along for the Ride

♫ Question…?

📚 Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Auden spends a lot of nights reading or walking around town—basically doing anything but sleep. She runs into a fellow night owl, Eli, and they form a friendship as they both try to work through their stuff. These lyrics match perfectly:

Good girl, sad boy, big city, wrong choices. We had one thing goin’ on I swear that it was somethin’ / ‘Cause I don’t remember who I was before you painted all my nights / A color I’ve searched for since.


Mockingjay

♫ Vigilante Sh*t

📚 Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

There are so many strong, powerful and amazing women in literature who could absolutely “draw the cat eye, sharp enough to kill a man,” but from the jump, this song evokes thoughts of sticking it to The Capitol. Whether dressing for revenge, or taking down the corrupt system from the inside, Katniss Everdeen and her crew are up to some vigilante sh*t.


Daisy Jones and the Six

♫ Bejeweled

📚 Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Daisy has a way of capturing the attention of everyone in the room when she walks in. She shimmers and shines, but there’s more to her than meets the eye.


Isla and the Happily Ever After

♫ Labyrinth

📚 Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Isla is a hopeless romantic who might finally have a chance with Josh, a guy she’s had a crush on forever. But they have a lot of obstacles to overcome in this sweet and intense romance.

I’ll be gettin’ over you my whole life.


It Starts with Us

♫ Karma

📚 It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover

We could totally imagine “Karma” as Lily’s anthem as she navigates the tricky dynamics of her ex, Ryle, and the feelings she has for Atlas as they meet again as adults. Lily deserves her second chance at love despite the others that keep trying to bring her down.


Beach Read

♫ Sweet Nothing

📚 Beach Read by Emily Henry

Beach Read follows January, a romance author who doesn’t believe in love anymore, and Augustus, a literary author who’s a bit of a cynic. A romance, yes, but you’ll need the tissues ready!

All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothin’.


Before the Devil Breaks You

♫ Mastermind

📚 Before the Devil Breaks YouDiviners Series Book 3 by Libba Bray

This is such a magical and spooky series by Bray, filled with love and mysterious powers. There are so many moments in this book that feel like they only happen when all the stars aligned, and the love story of Theta and Memphis is surely one of them. From their chance meeting during the raid of the Hotsy Totsy club in Book 1, to discovering Theta’s past in Book 3, this pair absolutely embodies “the first night that you saw me nothing was gonna stop me.”

After you soak in the new album, head over to the Libby reading app to find the perfect book match.

Joe_Skelley_2.jpg

About the Author

Joe Skelley has always been a lover of reading and passionate about the library. His love of libraries brought him to OverDrive where he works on the Events team, working with the Digital Bookmobile and co-hosts the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Joe loves thrillers, magical realism and the broad spectrum of YA. When he’s not working, Joe loves to listen to audiobooks and podcasts, watch YouTube, get too involved in a DIY project and (most importantly) play with his Boston Terrier, Roscoe.


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