When the time for buying UK Taylor Swift concert tickets was approaching, there was mad panic amongst us Swifties and for OG Swifties like myself, I was worried I would miss out completely as there are hundreds of thousands of fans, millions in fact since I became a fan. A link for Edinburgh Murrayfield Stadium – Scottish Rugby hospitality was sent my way and whilst I only intended to look at what was on offer, before I knew it, I snapped up one of the highest priced packages in fear that I would lose out in the general sale.

The entire time from purchase to even the afternoon of the show I was asking myself, have I done the right thing? Can I afford this? This ticket cost a whooping £550 and I was going alone!!!

I purchased the Restaurant package. This package included;

Priority check-in through dedicated turnstiles
• Suite open 2 hours prior to act
• Individual restaurant style tables
• Arrival glass of champagne / champagne cocktail
• 2 hrs complimentary bar inclusive of beer, wines and soft drinks
• Canapes followed by two course meal
• Premium padded lower west stand seat with fantastic view of the stage
• Access to Thistle Suite for use of bar during the concert (contactless payment)
• Access to your lounge post-concert for 1hr
• Post-concert snacks with bar open for ‘contactless payment’ drink purchases

Mild anxiety still creeping in with feelings of “am I going to be having my meal with people who know each other and feel like a third wheel? Will I have fun alone during the show?”. I needn’t have worried though because as soon as I arrived and received my arrival champagne I was sat at a table with two other women of similar age to me of whom were both also single ticket holders. We bonded immediately – how could we not when we share such a passion for Taylor Swift? Already discussing what wine we would have, one of the ladies gave us friendship bracelets as Swifties have been doing all tour and we shared stores of our fan journey!

The restaurant was a beautiful set up very much like a corporate event or a wedding breakfast or prom and we had excellent table service. The food was delicious with scrumptious canapés and a main of three choices. A Taylor themed menu, we chose the Back to Decemburger which was one of the nicest burgers I have ever had! As many drinks as we could handle, we had plenty of wine and were ready for it!

Music playing as we were eating and even a live saxophonist walking around, the whole meal and experience was enchanting!

A massive highlight for me was the access to toilets that only hospitality could access. This made such a massive difference as there were never any queues and the toilets were clean and not portaloo’s.

Not only were the three of us sat together at dinner but also in the stadium. This was an excellent idea and brilliant organisation from the staff. They really do go out of their way to make sure their single ticket holders aren’t lonely and are having fun! They could have easily have sat us on a table and in the stadium with groups but they didn’t! Our seats were located on the lower west side W19 Row GG which was opposite the diamond centre stage meaning we had a great view of everything. Of course we weren’t up close and personal but that would have meant getting standing tickets and hours of queuing! It’s also a stadium so being close is definitely for those who plan to and can put the effort it!

The atmosphere was electric and we three strangers who had never met before had the best time – In part due to the fact of taking advantage of the inclusive bar (wanted to make our money’s worth) but we also had an hour and half to bond!

During the show you could access the hospitality toilets which were located not at the restaurant but at the slightly lower priced hospitality ticket area which was located directly underneath our stadium seat section. That hospitality package included;

Arrival prosecco, Gin & Tonic or cocktail
• 2 hrs complimentary bar inclusive of beer, wines and soft drinks
• Festival street food options
• Concert seat in upper west stand seats with fantastic view of the stage
• External contactless payment bar on adjacent concourse serving beers, ciders and soft drinks during act
• Poser tables and soft furnishings
• Access to your lounge post-concert for 1hr
• Post-concert snack with bar open for ‘contactless payment’ drink purchases

This area also gave us access to the bar but once the show starts, you have to pay for your drinks.

After the show we could exit out the same hospitality area we entered through and then we made our way back to the restaurant package area for post snacks. This was a great way to chill out and let the crowds calm down before leaving ourselves. The post snack was Chicken Katsu Curry and we also each got a pack of Salted Caramel Popcorn which was personalised for the eras tour!

So was the Hospitality Restaurant Package worth it? For me and the ladies I sat with? We all said “Absolutely!!!”. We had such an amazing time and shared an experience together which we will always remember despite the likelihood of never seeing each other again. Who knows, maybe we will but that doesn’t take anything away from the fact we had such a great time together that felt like we had known each other for years. Everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves during dinner. Families, friends, you name it, they were all having a blast! Do arrive as soon as doors open though as we immediately went in and had our arrival champagne and food was very soon after. Whichever hospitality package you choose, you want to get in there as soon as possible to take full advantage of the complimentary bar!!!!!! You also don’t want to be late and miss out on your food so do arrive by doors!

If there is an artist that you are a huge fan of and want to treat yourself for a once in a lifetime experience then go for it! Obviously I understand not everyone can afford it and I personally couldn’t either really! When I saw that some of the VIP packages that came with merchandise were of similar cost or more, I felt that I definitely had the better end of the deal but it does all come down to personal choice! If I could do it again, I would do it in a heartbeat if I could financially and I would do it alone again if I had to.

We were treated so well by staff and really felt special. One of the ladies I was sat with had done the lower hospitality package the night before and said it was very crowded with probably 400 people and whilst the food was delicious, the restaurant package (which was £100 more) was definitely much better and more bang for your buck!

I honestly can’t say enough great things about our experience! From the queues to get into the restaurant, everything was run smoothly and staff were amazing!! The way we were treated as single ticket holders was an amazing surprise and they dealt with us in mind which was so kind. Maybe we got lucky being sat with each other but all I can say is, we were enchanted to meet each other and we will remember it all too well. Long Live!