LIVE BLOG: Atlanta fans gear up for Taylor Swift, Janet Jackson shows

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Downtown Atlanta is transforming into an entertainment hub... at least for the next 3 days.

The city is welcoming two big names to the stage. Janet Jackson and Atlanta’s own hip-hop icon Ludacris will perform at State Farm Arena and Taylor Swift will be live at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Janet Jackson celebrates her 50th anniversary in the entertainment industry in 2023. Jackson is a Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductee, along with her brothers. She has sold more than 180 million records worldwide and is still recognized as one of the best, one of the most innovative, and best-selling artists of all time. Ludacris is also featured on Jacket Jackson’s Together Again tour which opened its first of two Atlanta dates on Wednesday at State Farm Arena.

The “Stand Up” rapper released his debut album “Back For the First Time” in October 2000. He has won multiple Grammy awards, BET awards, and other awards during his career. He has released several hit albums, including the Grammy award-winning “Release Therapy,” “Word of Mouf,” “Chicken and Beer,” “Red Light District” and more; he has sold 24 million records worldwide.

Rico Wade, one-half of the Atlanta-based super producer group Organized Noize, spoke to Atlanta News First in February about Ludacris and his rise from a hungry and underrated young MC, to one of the best, most influential, and most powerful musicians and innovators of all time.

He is also a star in the 10th installment of the Fast and the Furious franchise that is scheduled to release in theatres soon. He has starred or played a supporting role in six of the films so far. The films have collectively grossed more than $1 billion.

“He’s a part of one of the biggest movie franchises in history and also still has records that are played to this day that are classics and can’t be touched or duplicated,” iconic Atlanta DJ and producer DJ Drama previously told Atlanta News First.

Officials are estimating a record turnout, with 180,000 Swift fans expected at the stadium’s three sold-out shows.

CHECK OUT: Know Before You Go! Taylor Swift, Janet Jackson shows

Atlanta News First is following all the fun ahead of the big night:

Friday, 4 p.m.

Atlanta…can you bounce wit me, wit me, wit me… #TogetherAgainTour 🫶🏽 pic.twitter.com/bfrPOo6Bnu
— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) April 28, 2023

Friday, 3:30 p.m.

Centennial Park is helping fans relax and unwind before their Wildest Dreams

We know you’re all getting downtown early for the Taylor Swift and Janet Jackson concerts to beat the traffic. So why don’t you stop on by and relax before heading over to the show!

We’ll see ya at the park this weekend 😉 pic.twitter.com/apX5qQDGPM
— Centennial Park (@centennial_park) April 28, 2023

on my way to A-TAY-L 🫶🫶 #AtlantaTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/HbJy2BoAIX
— sydney | 2 DAYS (@miseryamericana) April 28, 2023

New friendships happening #AtlantaTStheErasTour #TSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/6aXtDWhe0r
— Lauren 🫶🏻 ( is in the A-TAY-L for Eras Tour) (@theSwiftieLO) April 28, 2023

Friday, 2:15 p.m.

Are you ready for it? @taylorswift13 is taking over the city, and we’re captivated by her like a firework show 🎆

Huge thank you to @SKYDBP for grabbing this incredible footage of our sign! pic.twitter.com/uWwgtHkPs9
— Georgia's Own Credit Union (@GeorgiasOwn) April 28, 2023

Friday, 1:30 p.m.

Taylor Swift, Janet Jackson takeover downtown Atlanta

100,000 people descending on ATL for huge concerts. Which would you choose? #TaylorSwift #JanetJackson #ATL #Atlanta #atlantanews #Concerts @ATLNewsFirst
— Joy Lim Nakrin (@JoyLimNakrinANF) April 28, 2023

Some fans have already started “TayGating” ahead of tonight’s show

It’s almost Taylor Swift time Atlanta! We are at the “Taygate” party at Wild Leap right now meeting all the fans. @ATLNewsFirst pic.twitter.com/rlc88JbM1z
— Bridget Spencer (@NewswithBridget) April 28, 2023

Friday, 1 p.m.

It’s no longer ATL, it’s A-TAY-L according to Mercedes-Benz Stadium

"Your very first day, take a deep breath, girl, take a deep breath as you walk through the doors"

Welcome @taylorswift13 to the A-TAY-L pic.twitter.com/G4o7eevVSO
— Mercedes-Benz Stadium (@MBStadium) April 28, 2023

An estimated 180,000 fans are expected to attend the three sold-out shows.

State Farm Arena is gettings fans concert ready!

Everything you need to know for Janet Jackson tomorrow!

This concert has been rescheduled for Friday, April 28 due to the @ATLHawks playoff game tonight.

Doors @ 6:30 PM
Show starts promptly @ 7:45 PM

🅿️: https://t.co/PLSJ51h03c
ℹ️ & 🎟️: https://t.co/Evq35FdOuk pic.twitter.com/CLlpt4UBhB
— State Farm Arena (@StateFarmArena) April 27, 2023

FAN FAVORITES

Excited fans are showing off their T-Swift fever!

heading to A-TAY-L !!!!! going to be our first time seeing taylor ❤️ #AtlantaTSTheErasTour @taylornation13 @taylorswift13 pic.twitter.com/mhbtXMTSJh
— ang (taylor’s version) TODAY ★⁵ (@angisaoof) April 28, 2023

Crewneck you’re so close I can taste it #AtlantaTStheErasTour #TSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/3CkX5B24Jj
— Lauren 🫶🏻 ( is in the A-TAY-L for Eras Tour) (@theSwiftieLO) April 28, 2023

On the way to A-TAY-L to see ⁦@taylorswift13⁩ #AtlantaTSTheErasTour ⁦@taylornation13⁩ pic.twitter.com/8UlEMAwvAs
— Melissa (@missy2938) April 28, 2023

Getting close to A-Tay-L!!! Getting so excited to bring these girlies tonight. I’d like to think I’m the coolest Aunt around 😂 #AtlantaTSTheErasTour @taylornation13 pic.twitter.com/XDzIlqBg87
— Carly✨ 4/28•4/29 ERAS TOUR (@nola_swiftie) April 28, 2023

Georgia’s Own Credit Union welcomed Taylor Swift with a massive “WELCOME TO A-TAY-L” message on its 450-foot-high sign at midnight ahead of #AtlantaTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/1qfSNEpVLU
— Taylor Swift Museum (@theswiftmuseum) April 28, 2023

Friday, 12:30 p.m.

Taylor Swift can’t wait for Atlanta! (and by the looks of it, Atlanta can’t wait for her)

Just got to play 3 insane shows in Houston and I’m waking up smiling reminiscing about how much fun we all had. Loving this tour so much because of the passion these crowds put into it all - seriously can’t wait for Atlanta ☺️ PS for those asking how I cut my hand, I’m totally… pic.twitter.com/j3MK7twzdc
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) April 24, 2023

“See you soon!” - Janet Jackson

See u soon. pic.twitter.com/Sz3g1jdToC
— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) April 15, 2023

GDOT warns drivers of heavy traffic ahead of Taylor Swift, Janet Jackson, Ludacris concerts

Heads up! Meteorologist Cutter Martin is keeping you up to date on road conditions!

Crazy weekend of traffic; especially inside the Perimeter! Hawks, Taylor Swift, Janet Jackson & Ludacris fans will pack into downtown. You can be alerted to updates in the Atlanta New First App & get live traffic conditions in the First Alert Weather App. @atlnewsfirst pic.twitter.com/p4BoW1g5fv
— Cutter Martin (@CutterMartin) April 28, 2023

Atlanta police are urging concert-goers to plan ahead and report any suspicious activity!

Georgia Department of Transportation says “anticipate a traffic surge!” Head out early if you can or consider taking MARTA or carpooling.

🚨TRAFFIC ALERT FULTON CO.🚨

Expect heavy delays on surface streets near State Farm Arena and Mercedes Benz Stadium due to multiple evening/nightly events occurring from Thursday, 4/27 - Saturday, 4/29.

Go to https://t.co/uwTGYOHMp3 or call 511 for real-time road conditions. pic.twitter.com/tuYr6j0lUU
— 511 GA - A Service of Georgia DOT (@511Georgia) April 26, 2023

Anticipating a traffic surge (nearly 100,000 people), GDOT advises concertgoers to consider alternative transportation options for @TaylorSwift and @JanetJackson's highly anticipated concerts. Plan ahead so you can be FEARLESS and ENJOY the show!

🎤 https://t.co/uZd1Iit83E pic.twitter.com/zfHmCx5CWQ
— Georgia DOT (@GADeptofTrans) April 26, 2023

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