The Magic: That One Time We Met Taylor Swift - Part 4

THE MAGIC

This is what we looked like
from across the Arena! :)

Words are seriously inadequate when it comes to describing a Taylor Swift concert, but I will do my best! I think the best way to share this experience will be a song by song breakdown. Pictures and video will, of course, be included along with some of my thoughts. If you were lucky enough to be there to experience it with us, maybe it will bring back some great memories you have. If you have yet to see Taylor maybe it will convince you that next time she is in town you should go. Whatever happens know that I am loving reliving this experience! (I'll warn you now that this post is not short!!)

Taylor started the show with State of Grace! It was an adrenaline pumping, scream inducing entrance! I absolutely loved how the RED sign slowly raised as a strong beat pulsed through the crowd, and then all of a sudden her silhouette appeared as the intro began. She moved so gracefully and purposefully and then the Red curtains split and and were sucked into the ceiling. The beginning of concerts are always one of my favorite parts so of course I have video! 

After opening Taylor took the time to talk to the audience. I think artists who simply sing often miss the power that can come from connecting to the audience through a few simple sentences. I loved how Taylor talked about how grateful she was that all 15,000 of us were there to listen to her sing about her life for the next two hours. She is so gracious and humble. It is simply amazing to me that someone that successful can stay so grounded and genuinely thankful for everything she is able to do and for her fans!

The next song was Holy Ground, which is now one of my absolute favorite songs! I love the drums and beat in this song! The number included a ton of flashing drums and a new drum solo section. It was seriously spectacular!

The name sake for the Red Tour, Red, was up next! She talked about how she feels like emotions are like colors and her favorite is Red because it is a powerful and passionate color. Of course the arena was instantly red all over! She had dancers running with Red flags and spectacular choreography.

For You Belong with Me the Red sign became a stage on top! Taylor joined with 4 backup singers turned the song into a more Dream Girls like version. It was seriously so cool! I loved the original song, but thought this rendition took it to a completely different level. I loved the new vibe! 

The Lucky One is one number that clearly comes to my mind every time I hear the song now. We were taken back in time to the 20s with classy costumes and a period set. The dancers were paparazzi that followed Taylor around taking pictures while she sang. The song really portrays how difficult it must be to have everyone know your name and to be famous. 

THE MOMENT

After the lucky one Taylor took to the stage to sit and talk about her next song. She plucked on a banjo as she sat on a chest and talked to the audience. I will be honest when I say I have no idea what she said. It was at this moment that a crew member came up to Matt and started talking to him. I was in the process of turning on one of my cameras when I glanced over to see her talking to him. I almost died. She asked him if we were having a good time and he responded with a resounding "heck yes!" She then asked if he'd like to meet Taylor after the concert. Of course he responded in the affirmative and she started putting a RED wristband on his hand. I could not believe what was happening. I thought to myself "oh my gosh! Matt is going to Club Red!!!" Why I didn't think we all would be going was beyond me, but you can imagine my shock and joy as she started moving down the row putting wristbands on all of our group!!!!! 

It was one of those moments you see happing on TV, or to other people. Always dreaming that it could be you, but never thinking it would ever happen to you. The moment we had dreamed about was happening. It was a very out of body experience. WE WERE INVITED TO CLUB RED!!!!!! It has been a month and still just thinking about this moment gives me chills, and brings a smile to my face. I still cannot believe it happened to us. Complete shock, joy, happiness, and more. There just aren't words to describe the feeling. It is such an honor to be selected for Club Red. All of our efforts paid off. 

Somehow during the crew member moving down the rows my camera turned on. Below is the video that was captured. You can hear our shock and crying. Krystal and Karli were literally sobbing. All of us were crying, but their reaction was the strongest. They are the biggest Taylor Swift fans, and have been dreaming of that moment for over 10 years. At one point Krystal was so overwhelmed that she hit the floor. Of course it was during a semi quiet part because Taylor was just talking, and the people around us thought something might be wrong, but we quickily explained to them what had happened. They were so happy for us, and were just as surprised.

As Taylor started to sing Mean, the crew member finished putting our wrist bands on and, I'm guessing because I was in the middle and the most composed, handed me a piece of paper. She said showed it to me and said meet me in Portal U after the show. Do not loose this paper. You need it and the wrist band to get in. As quickly as she came she left. Of course the first thing in my mind was, "oh no! I'm going to loose this paper!"  

The shock continued well into the next couple of numbers. We all hugged and cried together and then tried our best to recompose ourselves so we could fully enjoy the concert. Every time I looked at Taylor after I would think to myself, "after this concert I am going to meet you!" I could not believe it. I still cannot believe how lucky we were to be selected. I couldn't even sing along, like I normally do because I would just get overwhelmed by that warm, chills like feeling that just made me have the biggest smile on my face. It is a feeling I will never forget, and just typing this now brings it back.

The shock makes it hard to remember exactly what the next numbers were like. I do vividly remember the moment I was able to comprehend what was going on again. It was during Stay Stay Stay / Ho Hey. I had just hugged Krystal and she reinforced that we couldn't stay in shock and that we had to enjoy the rest of the concert. I glanced back at the stage and Taylor was at the center of the stage with her bass player and they were moving back and forth on the raised stairs in the middle of the stage incorporating Ho Hey into the song! Two of my favorite songs combined in such a cool fashion! :) I've had to watch YouTube videos of the last two numbers to remind myself what they were like. When I do the feelings I felt come rushing back and my brain connects the video to my live experience!

The next number is pretty much this summer's theme song! 22 is a song our group of friends signs frequently. It just perfectly describes what this age is like! Taylor and her friends were all dressed like hipsters during this number and it was in the middle of this song when Taylor moved from the front stage to the smaller stage in the back! While she was moving our friends, who were on the other side of the arena, got to touch her hands! 

They were pretty excited about that! Taylor spent the next three numbers Our Song, Everything Has Changed and Begin Again, on this smaller stage. Taylor selected Our Song to sing because a couple had mentioned it during the meet and greet that day. Then during Everything Has Changed, Ed came back out and together they sang on the stage as it raised into the air and rotated. I love artists that truly want each of their fans to have a "front row" experience so they move around the arena. Begin Again was the last full song Taylor sang on this smaller stage. 

Next up came Sparks Fly which I loved because it reminded me of the first time we saw Taylor in concert. It was her opener for the Speak Now and I still vividly remember that moment as well! Taylor traveled back to the main stage during this number and she walked right next to where we were. Matt, Paisley and I ran down to touch her hand. I stopped pushing to get closer when I remembered that we were going to Club Red. Matt got to touch her hand though! :D

I Knew You Were Trouble opened up with a crazy cool violin solo! The stage was transformed into a cathedral/castle like set and the dancers had victorian era costumes. Taylor wore a fancy white dress and quick changed in the middle of the song to edgier black and gold number. The choreography during this number was sick! I remember at one point the entire ensamble was moving back to the main stage and they were all walking in sync to the song. It was so cool!!!

The most emotional part of the concert was All Too Well. As she played a melody on the piano Taylor explained how song writing is her way of dealing with the emotions that she experiences. She then talked about how with this particular song she struggled with not knowing how she felt because of the myriad of emotions. Instead of writing about the emotions she felt she wrote exactly what happend from beginning to end. You could see the passion and sadness in her eyes and she sang. It was the one song we sat down during because it was such a powerfully emotional performance.

The next song started with two ballet dancers ballet at the top of the stage and then a music box with the dancers coming out one at a time. I love how Taylor incorporates so many styles of dance into her concerts! Love Story was of course a Romeo and Juliet themed piece and Paisley absolutely loved Romeo. :)  Taylor emerged last out of the box in a gorgeous white dress.

I think my favorite song of the night had to be Treacherous. During the song the middle of the stage slowly rose so that Taylor was high above the audience on a small 2 ft wide piece of stage. She slowly walked down the stage like she was on top of a tight rope. It was such a stunning visual representation of the song.

The concert ended with the circus themed party for We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. I have never seen so much confetti in my life. It was seriously pouring into the arena for a good 3 minutes!! The same section of stage that rose during treacherous now circled around the arena giving those who were higher up a better view. It was definitely a high energy way to end a spectacular concert.

From the moment she started to the second she walked off stage for the last time it was an unforgettable night of entertainment. Taylor is honestly the best entertainer and performer I have had the chance to see. She puts so much thought and detail into the portrayal of each and every single one of her songs. It is obvious that a lot of time, though and effort goes into making her concert an memorable experience for everyone.