Crowd safety expert gives smart tips for Swifties
Taylor Swift’s Australian tour will attract up to 96,000 people a night, and big crowds bring big challenges, according to CQU crowd safety expert Dr Sean Peckover.
He’s warning attendees at the Melbourne and Sydney shows to be prepared for connectivity issues, exit ‘pinch points’, and price-hike shocks – but says a bit of planning can ensure a safe and fun night.
Dr Peckover is CQUniversity’s Associate Director Safety and Wellbeing, and his recent PhD investigated best practice for managing congestion at mass running events.
He said preparation begins with packing.
“Fans should re-read over what can and can’t be taken into the stadiums – I recently saw Ed Sheeran at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and people were being turned away with things like big bags, cameras and food, and many had to throw items away to be allowed in,” he said.
Eras Tour promoter Frontier Touring last week released the list of reminders and rules ahead of the seven-night Australian tour.
Using public transport and arriving with plenty of time will also help smooth entry, Dr Peckover says.
He advises Swifties to ensure tickets are pre-downloaded in case of WiFi or phone coverage issues – and says fans shouldn’t rely on phones for finding each other, either.
“That many people in one place can have an impact on the networks and mean coverage drops out, so if you’re splitting up for pre-concert activities like buying food and merch, make sure you notice landmarks and have a designated spot to meet again,” he said.
Thoughtful behaviour, especially for smaller members of the crowd, is also advised: “At all major events there is a risk of crowding-related incidents, so avoid running on stairways where there is a potential for tripping, and try to use the handrail,” he said.
“If someone does trip and fall, clear space and help them immediately – risk of injury to everyone increases where crowds are unstable and persons are pushing, shoving and falling.”
Dr Peckover says it’s the end of the concert that can create the biggest crowding risk, with the sense of urgency to find the quickest way home.
“I’ve attended mass crowd events including NFL, NBA, NHL, State of Origins, Grand Finals, and mega concerts and festivals in the USA, and the safest approach is to simply wait 10-20 minutes in the stadium, until the largest volume of people have exited,” he said.
“Then make your way to the public transport, knowing it’s the first few trains out of the station that have everyone tightly packed and pushing to get off the platform onto the train.
“Simply waiting will result in less crowd density at the station and more likely a chance to secure a seat and rest those dancing shoes.
“If you plan to use ride-sharing services, be prepared for long waits and price surges – I was at a New York Jets game, coincidently while Taylor Swift was there too, and an Uber back to New York was $US380, while the train was $11 return.
“Taylor Swift’s concerts are renowned for positive, respective and safe behaviours. Taking a few additional steps will ensure your night is a positive one.”
