Taylorwatch: Norton, Tubridy, O’Driscoll, Huberman and Sexton among celebrity fans at Taylor Swift’s Aviva concert

T-Swizzle, the reigning Queen of Pop, the owner of the scarf Jake Gyllenhaal (allegedly) never gave back, that-guy-who-won-the-Super Bowl’s-girlfriend, whatever you want to call her, Taylor Swift has been unavoidable of late, and is only going to become even more so this weekend with her Eras tour in Dublin.

Our advice to those of you who did not succeed in The Great Ticketmaster War of 2023, is to mute the social channels of those who did get tickets for Swift’s three sold-out shows in the Aviva Stadium, and play all her sad songs on repeat. That’s what this journalist plans on doing, anyway. Because I Can Do It With A Broken Heart, regardless of how Cruel Summer may be, and if my tears ricochet, I can just Shake It Off.

Here’s what The Irish Times team of Taylor spotters have, er, spotted:

Irish celebrities flock to the Aviva

Irish celebrity fans were out in force at the first Taylor Swift concert at the Aviva on Friday night.

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In pictures: Taylor Swift’s exhilarating Eras tour concert in Dublin

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TV presenter Graham Norton and a back-from-London radio host Ryan Tubridy were among those in the crowd, with both men gamely wearing the ultimate Swiftie fan accessory of friendship bracelets.

Norton posted a picture on Instagram of his right arm bedecked in a number of colourful bands.

Tubs, meanwhile, posted a concert clip online and said that it was a “stadium full of love”. He also posed a picture of himself wearing friendship bracelets with the caption — “So this is happening.”

Former Irish rugby internationals Brian O’Driscoll, Johnny Sexton and Rory Best also attended the gig.

O’Driscoll was joined by his wife, actor and writer Amy Huberman, while Sexton attended with his wife Laura and their children. Best attended with his wife Jodie Bell.

Sexton shared a picture online of him and his daughter holding hands as they walked in to the packed stadium which he tagged “this is retirement”.

Amy Huberman posted a shot of former rugby internationals Sexton, O’Driscoll and Best and said “they used to be swift enough in the Aviva themselves says you”.

Locally sourced gloves

Irish glove designer Paula Rowan has said that she is “delighted and truly honoured” that Taylor Swift has opted to wear her white “Aida” leather gloves for the Tortured Poets Department Section of her Eras tour.

The designer, whose business is based in the Westbury Mall off Balfe Street in Dublin, says she is really grateful to Swift for donning her designs.

“Taylor Swift is one of the world’s best selling artists with a huge reach and influence in both the music industry and popular culture. Artist, businesswoman and philanthropist, she really is an inspiration and role model to all. Thank you to all involved.”

Swift isn’t the only superstar to wear gloves designed by Rowan, with Madonna, Cher, Beyonce and Dua Lipa also sporting her creations which are handmade in Italy. Her gloves have also been worn in the HBO series “And Just Like Like That” starring Sarah Jessica Parker.

The Dublin designer also supplied gloves for Lady Gaga when she played the lead role in the “House of Gucci.” Her pieces have also been worn by Kate Middleton, Helen Mirren and Kate Moss.

The glove designer designed her first annual glove collection fifteen years ago and describes her creations as “couture for the hands.”

Taylor arriving

On Thursday night, Shaun Dunne, aviation enthusiast, posted from his account on X, formerly Twitter, @shauns_aviation, to say that he would be going plane spotting around 12pm on Friday, and would likely listen to some Taylor Swift music while doing so.

And that he did, posting a video of the airport’s viewing point on Friday morning, with Swift’s hit song Shake it Off playing in the background.

At 12.16pm, Dunne tweeted that “she is down” and that he would have photos up soon – which we have received below.

Further to this, an account on social platform Bluesky, called Taylor Swift’s Jet’s (Tracking), corroborated Dunne’s suspicion that it was in fact Swift’s jet, with it posting that her plane landed at 11.56am, after taking off from London Stansted Airport at about 11am.

Eras tour dancers land early

Ahead of the arrival of Swift herself, some of her dancers were in Dublin.

One of the Eras tour dancers, Sam McWilliams, posted an Instagram story on Wednesday night of him at a Troye Sivan concert, that looked suspiciously like the Troye Sivan concert that took place in Dublin’s 3Arena that evening.

Usually, many performers wait until they are leaving a city or country before posting about it. Unless you are McWilliams of course, who clearly loves Sivan and wanted to share it immediately with his eagle-eyed followers who are eager to track Swift’s every move.

Kameron Saunders, another of Swift’s better-known dancers, also reposted an Instagram story from Benjamin Williams, a dancer on tour with Troye Sivan, expressing his gratitude that Saunders went to the concert. Saunders reposted the story, a picture of the pair of them, saying that “the entire concert was WILDDDDD”.

Celebrities out in force in London

Swift came to Dublin fresh from her three-night stint at London’s Wembley Stadium last weekend, which was attended by an almost ridiculous number of celebrities.

So who of note did go to see Swift in Wembley last weekend? And Don’t Blame Me, but this list is long:

Travis Kelce, American football player who won the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs but who also so happens to be Swift’s boyfriend, not only attended all three shows in Wembley, but joined her on stage on Sunday as a dancer.

Prince William also attended her concert with his two eldest children, and met Swift and Kelce afterwards, with Swift posting a photo on Instagram.

What arguably garnered more attention, however, is the future King’s dance moves captured on video during the concert. But sure look, at least he enjoyed himself.

Tom Cruise, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher and Hugh Grant were also reportedly spotted in Wembley on Saturday night.

Barbie director Greta Gerwig was also there, reports say.

On Friday, Galway woman, Derry Girls and Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan was in attendance, as were fellow actors Salma Hayek and Leslie Mann.

Zara and Mike Tindall, Erin Andrews, Charissa Thompson and Stella McCartney were also there.

Labour leader Keir Starmer, model Cara Delevingne and Queer Eye’s Jonathan van Ness were also spotted at the concert on Friday.

American actor Rachel Zegler, known for her roles in West Side Story and The Hunger Games prequel, also attended the concert on Saturday, posting on X afterwards.

The Hunger Games actor Liam Hemsworth was also reported to be in attendance at Wembley.

Ellie Goulding, Gracie Abrams – who released a song called Us featuring Swift on Friday, June 21st – were in attendance on Sunday.

Veteran rock stars Paul McCartney and Jon Bon Jovi were also spotted at the concert on Sunday.

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