I wish everyone could go to a Taylor Swift concert. Especially fans, but even those who aren't. Why? Because even they would leave having had an awesome time.
That's impossible, but I can tell you what it's like. I won't go over everything, but here are some of my favorite moments.
Even waiting around the venue was exciting. There were booths where your picture could be taken and we were given stuff like bracelets, buttons, and USB's. In the concert area videos played of Taylor answering questions, behind the scenes stuff, and fan videos.
Then there's the fans. It's always special to go to concerts where you're surrounded by people who are fans of the same person/people you are, but there's just something about Swifties. As I looked around the quickly filling arena, I couldn't help but smile at all of the costumes they had obviously put so much time and effort into coming up with and in some cases even making.
As soon as I got to my seat I put on the bracelet taped to it that everyone got. Having seen it in videos, I knew it would light up and change colors to the beat of the music.
There were two opening acts. The first was Vance Joy, who is not only talented, but incredibly nice. You could tell how grateful he was to be there. The same goes for the band HAIM who brought major girl power to the stage which was the perfect way to bring in the main act.
Music played while we waited for Taylor and the suspense was building. I knew from research that the last song to play before she comes out is "Feel So Close" by Calvin Harris (adorable) and by the sound of everyone screaming louder than ever before the second it came on, they knew too.
Through the excited screams I could hear "Welcome to New York" begin to play. First the dancers appeared from below the stage and soon after, Taylor.
Besides the main stage there was a catwalk that wasn't just any catwalk; it raised and rotated in a circle. Why? To get closer to as many fans as possible. But that didn't happen until later. Right then, Taylor simply made her way down the catwalk.
During "Blank Space" she did "an experiment" where she recorded herself via the mic saying "Nashville" which continued to repeat. She did the same with the line, "boys only want love it's torture, don't say I didn't, say I didn't warn you" and continued to sing. You can see that here.
The first throwback song was "I Knew You Were Trouble" with a twist. It was much darker at the beginning and the subtle changes were perfect. There was also some awesome effects during the chorus which you can see here.
Taylor told us she had some surprises, and the first one brought out the 11-year-old in me. She and Leona Lewis sang, "Bleeding Love." There's nothing like seeing your favorite singer sing one of your favorite songs from your childhood.
Once Taylor was at the end of the catwalk and in the air, she hit us in the feels by singing "Fifteen" from her album "Fearless." But that wasn't all. She said she sang it because her best friend since high school, Abigail Anderson, was there.
As if that wasn't enough, something else happened. Because Taylor was at the end of the stage, I turned around and could see everyone in the stadium. So as she sang, "...in your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team..." I was looking around at the filled stadium and it hit me just how far she has come. (Didn't cry though...nope...)
"Clean" was special for several reasons. Besides being an amazing song with a wonderful message, this was when I held up a piece of paper with "Proud" on it. Two girls handed them out in my section (section two of the floor seats) and said to hold them up then.
Because Taylor was at the end of the stage, it took a while for her to get to us. (This video was taken after that when she introduces "Love Story") But as soon as she did, it was clear when she spotted the signs. As she got closer to me, directly above and in front, she was smiling ear to ear while scanning the crowd and those with signs held high. I can't say for sure that she looked at me, but that's what I'm going with. (Maybe I shed a tear or two...)
Another throwback was a rock version of "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" Not a song you'd think could be rock, right? But this is Taylor Swift so of course she made it sound like that was the original version. (Maybe she'll make a rock album...hmm...)
The shocker of the night was of course the second guest, Mick Jagger, who sang "Satisfaction" with her. She hinted at who it was, but I never would have guessed him. I'm not a Rolling Stones fan but it was so exciting to see such an iconic singer live. Plus watching him and Taylor dance was priceless.
She sang "Wildest Dreams" but with "Enchanted" mixed in. It was magical. As Taylor sat at an incredible piano, she talked about how happiness is fleeting and that we should recognize when we're happy and truly enjoy it so one day we can look back on it.
She told us that she's happiest with us, and in the future when she's having a bad day, even in 10 or 20 years, she's going to remember this moment. Remember this concert. Remember the people who sang and danced along with her. She hopes we'll do the same. Then she started singing "Enchanted" with, "This night is sparkling; don't you let it go." (Fine, I cried. I cried a lot actually...happy tears though.)
"Shake It Off" was the last song. Taylor and the dancers got on the catwalk before it raised and turned in circles. It was both amazing and terrifying.
Words can't describe what a Taylor Swift concert is like. The only way to truly experience it is to go yourself. When she speaks, even in a stadium full of people, it's like she's talking directly to you.
Between songs, videos of Taylor's friends would play. They discussed different topics; Taylor, friendship, love, life, and something about them made me feel even closer to her and realize that she really is a normal person with normal friends.
Besides being an amazing singer, Taylor brings many elements to her shows. The screen plays incredibly beautiful scenes that go perfectly with the songs, her dancers and backup singers are talented, and through it all, you don't feel like you're watching one of the most famous singers in the world.
I've been a fan since her first album. I've seen her go from a newcomer to having the top selling album of 2014 even though it came out in October. You'd think she would be at such a high level of fame that I can't recognize her anymore. But that's not the case. In fact, as I stood in that stadium, looking at the thousands of lit up bracelets, knowing that each one is someone who loves her as much as me, I never felt closer.
The concert ended with confetti falling from the ceiling as these words appeared: "She lost him but she found herself and somehow that was everything" followed by "Thank you" and "Good night." It was, Taylor. It really was.
