The lyric “Drop everything now, meet me in the pouring” became all too literal at Sunday night’s Taylor Swift concert at Nissan Stadium.
Just before the concert was slated to begin, Nashville was placed under a four-hour storm advisory as lightning was spotted. Reports of rain did not stop fans from arriving at the stadium early. Under the advisory, thousands of attendees were forced to leave their seats and shelter in place.
“For those in Nissan Stadium, please proceed to the shelter areas as directed by staff,” a statement from the venue posted to social media said. “Please remain calm and proceed to the covered and interior areas of the stadium.”
Due to lightning in the area, Nissan Stadium will remain under Shelter in Place until the current storm passes. We anticipate Taylor Swift taking the stage at a delayed start time. ⛈
— Nissan Stadium (@NissanStadium) May 7, 2023
More information will be released ASAP. #NashvilleTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/HTPQbH0VeL
According to The Tennessean, the Eras tour was scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., with Swift taking the stage at 8 p.m. However, the show was forced to pause while lightning remained in the area. Nissan Stadium reportedly ceases entertainment when lightning strikes within eight miles of the stage. Only after 30 minutes of no lighting strikes within eight miles could the show resume.
Drop everything now! Meet me in the pouring rain!
— Nissan Stadium (@NissanStadium) May 8, 2023
Shelter in Place has officially been lifted! Fans, please start safely making your way to your seats. Once production wraps up, Taylor Swift will hit the stage! #NashvilleTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/e82Yo3AuAK
The weather advisory was lifted at 9:25 p.m. and the stadium allowed attendees to return to their seats shortly after – causing a backlog in hallways. Swift began her three-hour long set shortly after 10 p.m., concluding just after 1:00 a.m.
Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor for the facilities market.
