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An image of a phone playing Taylor Swift's 'Red' album, accompanied by two white airpods ;

'I met Taylor Swift and her mum gave me a huge bunch of flowers…'

Taylor Swift played the final London date of her Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium this week. She’s also given a few shoutouts to King’s as the first place she played in the UK. As the music mega-star says goodbye to London, we caught up with three gig-goers who attended her first show in the UK. This was on 3 September 2008 in Tutu’s at King’s College London…

A singing Taylor Swift stands on stage at King's in 2008
Taylor Swift singing at King's in 2008

Katie was studying Nursing at King’s in 2008. She also returned to study Midwifery several years later. Although she wouldn’t call herself a ‘Swiftie’, she has fond memories of that night.

‘I was at the gig because I was working for the Students’ Union,’ says Katie. ‘I remember Taylor. She was very polite. I was holding the door open for her and her massive team when they arrived, and Taylor was the only one who said, “Thank you!”’

And, as Katie recalls, she remained a model of consideration throughout the evening.

Katie continues: ‘During all her time in the venue, she was always very polite and courteous to the team working there.’

Bizarre night

Dave Keylock studied Computer Science at King’s from 2006-2009 and now works as a Senior Software Developer. He was also a member of the Students’ Union venue team that evening.

‘At that point, Taylor was pretty unknown in the UK,’ recalls Dave. ‘An American guy I worked with knew who she was and I remember talking to him about her before the gig.

Dave continues: ‘I started off working in the bar at Tutu’s, so I saw her first couple of numbers. The opening track was pretty good and there were a lot of American students in the crowd who gave her a warm reception. She was a vivacious performer.

‘After her first few numbers, I was asked to go backstage to guard her stuff while she and the band were performing. So I had this bizarre night sitting in a dressing room and making sure nobody nicked any of Taylor’s stuff while she was on stage.’

Flowers from Taylor’s mum

When the gig ended, Dave was introduced to Taylor.

‘I met her mum first,’ he laughs. ‘Once she’d worked out what I was doing in the dressing room, she was really friendly. She probably felt a bit sorry that I’d had such an odd night backstage while everyone else had been enjoying the gig out front.

‘She asked me if I had a girlfriend. When I replied I did, she explained how Taylor had been given a huge bouquet of flowers, but she couldn’t take them with her. She asked me if my girlfriend would like them and she gave them to me.’

Meeting Taylor

Taylor’s mum then introduced Dave to Taylor.

‘She was a bit shy but very sweet, despite the fact she was obviously tired after the gig,’ remembers Dave. ‘We exchanged a few pleasantries and I said I hoped she enjoyed the rest of her time in the UK.

‘I left her dressing room carrying this massive bunch of flowers. I got the night bus home as I don’t think I’d have managed transporting this huge floral arrangement home on my bike. And my girlfriend did love them. Even when I told her the surreal story of how I got them.’

A mother and father sit with their two children during a holiday trip
Dave (pictured centre) may not be a ‘Swiftie’ but his children’s love for the film, ‘Sing’, provides a link to his student gig days

Heavy metal fan Dave says he wouldn’t classify himself as a Swiftie. But he does like I Knew You Were Trouble.

He adds: ‘I also like Shake It Off because my kids love the film Sing, and that song features in it.’

'Taylor met everyone afterwards' 

Taylor Swift poses for a selfie with a young woman. Alongside this are a ticket to the gig, a signed picture and a set list
Aliyah met Taylor and kept signed mementos from the evening

It wasn’t just students at King’s who attended the gig, though.

‘I was 14 years old and I heard about Taylor Swift through a video on YouTube,’ says Aliya Nakeeb, who’s now 30. ‘I listened to her song, Should’ve Said No, and I became a huge fan. My mum found tickets online, which were only £10 each!’

The teenager and her mum travelled to the gig at Tutu’s from their family home in Suffolk.

Aliya continues. ‘When we got inside the venue, I remember there was no barrier between us and the stage. We were so close to Taylor. She met everyone afterwards and I got to tell her that the first song I learnt on the guitar was Our Song.

‘Sadly, we couldn’t stick around because we had to catch the last train back home.’

Still a Swiftie

Aliya recalls another fact about the gig that is important for those steeped in Taylor folklore: ‘She said, “The next song is one I’ve never played live before”. This was Love Story, which was released on 12 September 2008. I also remember her and her violinist hitting steel drums during Should’ve Said No. There was lots of lots of hair flicking, too!'

Aliya remains a Swiftie to this day. She saw Taylor at Shepherd’s Bush Empire for the Fearless tour and she’s seen her on every tour since, including the Eras Tour. As for her favourite songs?

‘That’s a hard one,’ says Aliyah. ‘I’ll go with Today was a Fairytale but Blank Space is really pop perfection.’

Did you attend Taylor’s gig at Tutu’s or any other memorable gigs at King’s? Drop us a line at forever@kcl.ac.uk

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