Prime Minister Declares ‘I’m a Real Swiftie’ Ahead of Taylor Swift Concert in Sydney

US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift performs during her Eras Tour at Sofi stadium in Inglewood, California, Aug. 7, 2023. Michael Tran/Getty Images

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared he is a “real Swiftie” after a fan begged him to give her his ticket to the concert in Sydney.

Taylor Swift, a billionaire, is performing on Feb. 23 as part of her Eras Tour at Accor Stadium. Her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, has just arrived in Sydney from Vegas on Ms. Swift’s private jet.

During an interview with 2DayFM, a fan pleaded for the Prime Minister’s ticket, even offering to help him with his campaign.

“I would do anything for these tickets. I will campaign for you. What do you want? I’m a huge fan of you, but I’m a bigger fan of Taylor,” the fan said.

In response, Mr. Albanese insisted “I am going on Friday night and I am a real Swiftie.”

While Mr. Albanese did not give up his ticket, he did suggest that the radio station might be able to help the adoring fan out with a ticket.

“I reckon 2DayFM can sort you out,” he said.

The Prime Minister described Taylor Swift as a “great lyricist” during one of several radio interviews where he discussed the pop star during the week.

“I think that the maturing of her work over a period of time that people will get to listen to tonight, from 1989 through to albums like Folklore and evermore that I really enjoy listening to,” Mr. Albanese said on ABC news radio.

Mr. Albanese said he is looking forward to the concert and noted a lot of her lyrics are about love, relationships, and female empowerment.

“I’m really looking forward to it. And I think that it’s a phenomenon that she’s very empowering. And if you listen to the lyrics of Shake it Off, they’re about female empowerment, and I think it’s a very good message for young women,” Mr. Albanese said on ABC News Radio.

Taylor Swift, 34, a 14-time winner of the Grammy Awards, is performing four shows at Accor Stadium in Sydney from Feb. 23, following three sold-out shows in Melbourne. The star will then travel to Singapore, followed by Europe for more Eras Tour concerts.

In mid-February, the icon travelled by private jet to Las Vegas to see her boyfriend Travis Kelce play in the winning team at the Super Bowl.

Albanese Gives Away Taylor Swift Ticket on Sydney Radio

Earlier this week, Mr. Albanese went on the radio and called a fan to give away a Taylor Swift ticket on the Nova Fitzy and Wippa show with Kate Ritchie.

A speaker talks to fans of U.S. singer Taylor Swift, also known as Swifties, who gathered for a Fanposium where fan video presentations, a panel discussion and Q&A, and a bracelet-making event were among the events in Melbourne on Feb. 11, 2024. Taylor Swift is playing to 260,000 fans over three concerts in Melbourne starting Feb. 16 as part of her Eras World Tour. William West/Getty Images

“G'day Talia this is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, how are you? I’m calling to give you the news which I reckon is pretty good news that you have won tickets to Kate’s suite seats,” Mr. Albanese said.

“You are off to Taylor Swift,” he exclaimed with excitement.

Taylor Swift’s concert tickets range from $79.90 to $1,250 (US$821.39) a ticket for a VIP package sitting in the front row. The Epoch Times spoke to one fan who paid the $1,250 for the ticket in Melbourne and said it was “worth every cent.”

“It was the best view,” the fan told the Epoch Times.