She Showed Me Incredible Things
On spending a couple of nights in Nashville with Taylor Swift and 70,000 of my closest Swiftie friends at The Eras Tour.
It’s me. (Again.) Hi.
I did it, everybody.
I saw The Eras Tour live and in person with my own two eyeballs and did not disintegrate into stardust. A recap was promised and a recap is what you shall get—sans paywall because what we don’t do around these parts is gatekeep Taylor Alison Swift. And the regular Friday newsletter will come out as usual.
This is going to be longer than my typical ramblings, so buckle up. Or don’t and just keep on moving. You do you, my friend.
It’s appropriately diaristic for a Swiftian tome. Long live the memories and all. I need this for myself when I’m old and gray, too. (JK, I will probably color my hair forever, but you get the gist.)
I said, "Remember this moment"
In the back of my mind
The time we stood with our shaking hands
The crowds in stands went wild
We were the kings and the queens
And they read off our names
The night you danced like you knew our lives would
Never be the same
You held your head like a hero on a history book page
It was the end of a decade
But the start of an age
Hi, I’m Abby and it gives me so much pleasure to welcome you to The Eras Tour.
Last Friday, I got into how tickets for N1 + N2 came into my life and as if I didn’t feel like I was just supposed to be there before, I sure did by the end of the weekend. Sometimes, the universe truly provides.
Also, um, I WAS NOT WRONG ABOUT SOME THINGS...
…but we’ll get to all that in a second.
If you’re a regular WHN reader, you know that I am a fangirl who believes with her entire soul that embracing your passions and obsessions and living them all the way out loud can change your entire life. At any and every age.
This is especially true for me when those things involve live music and dancing and scream singing in a crowd made up of a community of people1 who also feel the power of their favorite music deeeeep in their bones. (See Notes on Tour about my many, many glorious nights watching a certain sparkly British Fruit Witch do his thing.)
You are never, ever too old to be enthusiastic and unabashed about the things that you love and make you feel joy. What a silly thing it is that society often makes us feel otherwise, especially as women.
If you’ve been a Swiftie as long as I have, you’ve seen dramatic swings in how you are perceived by those out in the world who mostly just don’t understand. If you were an elder Swiftie even back in the beginning, I sooooo feel you. But many fans who grew up alongside Taylor also found themselves ostracized and called “uncool” and lots of other dumb stuff for being fans. And don’t even get us started on the years that led up to her Reputation Era, where we were battling in these streets for Blondie. (And would do it again. Any. Damn. Time.) This is not to say that new fans aren’t most decidedly welcome…they very much are!!!!!!!! But IYKYK. Why do you think we connected so immediately to a lyric like “it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero”?
This type of conversation happens often, especially around things that have predominantly female fanbases. Think rom-coms or romance novels or women’s magazines or anything that sparkles. Multiply that exponentially when they’re young females. I’m always reminded of one of my favorite Harry quotes, from his 2017 Rolling Stone cover story, that nicely sums up how I feel, too.
“Who’s to say that young girls who like pop music – short for popular, right? – have worse musical taste than a 30-year-old hipster guy? That’s not up to you to say. Music is something that’s always changing. There’s no goal posts. Young girls like the Beatles. You gonna tell me they’re not serious? How can you say young girls don’t get it? They’re our future. Our future doctors, lawyers, mothers, presidents, they kind of keep the world going. Teenage-girl fans – they don’t lie. If they like you, they’re there. They don’t act ‘too cool.’ They like you, and they tell you. Which is sick.“
That’s not to say everyone needs to be a Taylor Swift fan or even listen to her music. Art is absolutely subjective and I wholly respect that people have different taste.
But there has often been a pervasive narrative that we are somehow unserious or basic or put in a box as a “certain type of person”—and I find that deeply reductive. Like, making a joke about Taylor Swift only writing breakup songs in the year of our lord 2023 is embarrassing for you…not us2. If you don’t know the catalogue or the range, don’t sound off with sweeping judgments that only make it clear your thoughts on the matter are…less than original. Or if you needed some "cool" music bro to validate her in order for you to do the same, EW.
To me, that sort of commentary also shows how easily people buy into the myriad false media narratives about Taylor the person—and have done so since she released Taylor Swift (aka Debut) in 2006. Like the woman herself and the songs she writes, her fandom contains multitudes. Powerful, amazing, incredible multitudes.
To oversimplify who she is and who we are is rather silly to me.
As with any large group of human beings, there will be toxic and problematic corners to be found. But that’s not where I choose to spend my time, and certainly hasn’t been the bulk of my experience in the fandom. I have met some of the most awesome people in my life—or deepened already existing relationships—because of our shared love of this lyrical genius and masterful businesswoman.
This weekend was proof of that, for sure. It’s pretty damn crazy how intimate a 70,000+ crowd can feel. One might call it a state of grace, a worthwhile fight.
What I know is it was a magical, mystical, musical weekend that I won’t ever forget.
So let’s get into it, shall we?
I drove down to Nashville early Friday morning and while I’d planned to listen to some podcasts I needed to catch up on, I couldn’t stop the full-on Taylor onslaught (with a side of Gwynnie on Call Her Daddy.) Did I help manifest Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) by listening to it front-to-back for the first time in ages?3 JK, she plots and plans way too far out for that—but I am still psyched that I called it, even if it wasn't the hottest take in town.
My friend Ashleigh, a Swiftie supreme, opened her gorge home to me for the weekend and I am so grateful for all the time we had together. We met online years ago, folks. Our shared passions (Taylor’s music being one) are what started a bond that has grown into a valued friendship. Don’t knock those online relationships, either.
Were my insides vibrating as I tried to finish my work for the week? OBVIOUSLY. But I got through.
For N1, I went with a Folklore vibe, aka one that is extremely me on any old day. I met my friends Abby and Zoe at the stadium and everything just felt right from the moment I started walking through downtown Nashville and across the bridge to the stadium. Bridges of another kind are very important to us Swifties, so crossing a literal one together to get to the show was perfectly symbolic.
Do we look excited or what?!?
Abby’s husband/Zoe’s dad (hi Jeremy!!!) and I went to high school together and their family is simply one of my favorites on the whole planet. I am blessed to know them all and forever grateful to Abby for the ticket. I think we all have a lot of “been too good of a girl…did all the extra credit then got graded on a curve” energy and I loved this moment for us.
It feels like just yesterday that Zoe was a sweet tiny girl, obsessed with fashion and magazines and New York City, visiting me at Cosmo where I got to show her her very first fashion closet. I also happened to be lucky enough to share in her first protest (March for Our Lives!)…and now she’s 16 and we got to see The Eras Tour side-by-side.
It was so special.
Dear Reader: When she told me it had been a dream of hers to see a show together since before she could remember, I cracked open into a million pieces and was so honored. I AM TOO SOFT FOR ALL OF IT underneath all this Scorpio/eldest daughter/Type-A/former New Yorker exterior.
I feel lucky to have many amazing Gen Z youths like Zoe in my life. They add so much to my world and I hope I bring a lil Gen X something-something to their tables, too.
I will treasure all of our memories together from that night forevermore. I mean, we got to see Taylor announce Speak Now (TV) right in front of our faces, for god’s sake. WHAT IS LIFE EVEN?!?!
See also: the glorious hugs Z gave me while I lost every ounce of my shit during “Marjorie”. Like, a heaving sobbing mess of a lady. We’ll get into the rundown of it all with some of my not-so-well-shot videos in shortly…
But because this was a weekend of all things Taylor, Ashleigh secured us Saturday morning tickets to the Country Music Hall of Fame so we could see the new Eras exhibit, and also check out the Taylor Swift Education Center4.
Of course I wore merch. Who do you think I am?
We got to see some of her iconic looks and memorabilia. That’s culture, people—and I loved it.
Then Ash and I met up with her Swiftie group chat to get ready for the show that night and grab an early dinner, as the openers go on at 6:30! I knew I was in the right place when the first person I met saw my Harry/Taylor shirt and said she had it in a sweatshirt. Boom. They were an awesome crew and I’d like to thank them again for letting me show up at their party.
Obsessed with this jean jacket.
Especially this patch, marking the day of The Great War with Ticketmaster.
To say it is a delight to see the creativity of Swifties of all ages at the shows is a tremendous understatement.
Also, the friendship bracelet swapping just makes me misty. I need to get on it making some for Chicago.
Don’t underestimate how fun it can be to get dressed up and not give a flying fuck what anyone thinks. It is, in fact, quite freeing. Let your freak flags fly, friends!!!!! Sparkles and feathers and jewels and glitter and costumes and fashion and glam don’t make one any less substantial either—and nobody can tell me otherwise.
The vibes are IMMACULATE at a show. Huge props to the person who left at least one “fuck the patriarchy keychain on the ground”5 at Nissan Stadium for me to find. I'd like to think they just sprinkled them around.
I went with the full Harrie/Swiftie style mashup I had planned—and was certainly rewarded for it later in the evening.
I’m still trying to work out my look for Chicago in a few weeks. I’m starting to think maybe I get a tank or tee made with the image of the time Taylor commented on my Instagram…but we’ll see. All ideas are welcome.
Okay, I should probably get on to the actual show shouldn’t I?!?
Where My Boys At?
Taylor has lined up an incredible slate of supporting acts for this tour. One big reason I really wanted to get to Nashville was to see Gracie Abrams and Phoebe Bridgers—and they lived up to my every expectation. Gayle was awesome too. I was just less familiar with and connected to her work.
Gracie is just the most adorable and talented lil thing I’ve ever seen and watching her career take off has been so fun. If you need a starter kit playlist for this one, hit me up.
Then, Phoebe. MY HEART. I cannot tell you how many tough moments “Motion Sickness” alone has gotten me through, so to hear it live was just a joy, along with the rest of her setlist. Plus, I got two nights of a mini boygenius shows when she brought out Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus. WHAT A DREAM. Their friendship and creative partnership is so inspiring to me.
Did I yelp, “OMG Matty!!!” when I spotted Mr. Healy6 and his curly mop on stage in a skeleton suit playing guitar with his close friend Phoebe on N2? You bet.
Ready For It?
You can watch all the TikTok and IG clips you want (and you know I did), but nothing can really prepare you for the massive scope of the production Taylor and her team have put together for this tour.
I’ve never see anything quite like it, on a previous Taylor tour or otherwise.
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The pre-show playlist is super fun and I was thrilled by how many youths knew all the words to “You Don’t Own Me”. Once you hear that one, know that Taylor is coming soon. I wanted to throw up with anticipation with the clock popped up.7 If you think that is a bad thing, you are very wrong.
And then…she’s there, in all that sparkly Versace and Louboutin glory. (We’ve discussed all the fashion already, but yeah it's even better in person.)
For the next 3.5 hours, Taylor puts on a show of epic proportions. I just kept thinking, “How is she a human and I’m a human? Like, the actual same species.” She’s truly never looked more beautiful, like mind-boggling levels of STUNNING. How does her makeup stay so perfect, even in that rain show Sunday night? Howwwwwww?
But more importantly it’s a true feat of athleticism. She is an Olympian, an elite athlete.
That stage feels like it’s 2/3 the length of the football field and she is all over it, all night. In heels much of the time. I cannot wait to learn the logistics of it all in the sure-to-come documentary. Did they custom fit those Louboutins to her feet? What sort of technology makes them more comfortable? How do the bodysuits NEVER MOVE? What sort of breath work allows her to dance and sing like that in a way that comes off as effortless?
I danced in my seat for two nights and my feet are still recovering. (Of course, my feet are also a nightmare and the one part of me that likes to act WAY older than their age, but still8.)
Taylor is never gone from the stage for more than a couple minutes during some of the costume changes, so it’s not like she’s every really getting a moment of true rest. Drop the fitness routine, Blondie. The people need to know. Are you doing ice baths, post-show? An IV drip of fluids? A therapeutic full body massage? Or is it all just witchy magic?
Her vocals have never been stronger. She’s leveled up her choreo. The theatricality is beautiful and plays to even the highest rows in the stadium. (The giant screens are perfectly placed and make it so there is truly no bad seat.) Her band and dancers and backup vocalists are beyond talented and filled with radiant energy.
And the sets! My god, the sets!!!!!! Each era gets a set piece of its very own that is intricate and perfect for the vibes of the album. A full forest emerges for Evermore—complete with a moss-covered piano. The Lover house burns down at one point. The Folklore cabin is everything you want it to be. Red transports you back in time. Midnights is moody in the best way. Checkmate, we couldn’t lose.
The show is also a true spectacle of lights—on the stage, above the stage, in the crowd via our bracelets, and the on-screen. The pre-taped visuals are stunnnnnnnnners.
Even the most casual fan (or, frankly, hater) would have their mind blown. What an amazing feat for so many creative minds to come together and produce something so massive that feels truly seamless. I’m glad I got to see it from the floor and also from the club (200) level. I have 100 level for Chicago, so that should be dope, too.
I Might Be Okay, But I’m Not Fine At All
I’ve said before that I had all faith in Taylor to weave the different genres of music she’s created over the course of her career into one show in a way that made total sense. But man, to experience it IRL was a roller coaster of emotions. In the best way.
To be a Swiftie is to go from bopping around to sobbing in a corner, in short order—exactly the way I like to live. We are truly “happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time”—and it IS “miserable and magical.” Oh yeahhhhhhhhhh.
To recreate those experiences with 70000+ others? Well, that’s just about as dreamy as I could imagine. That ride is true on almost every singular album in the discography, but what’s even more special with this tour is that you also get to travel back in time through the eras and how you felt when each of the original albums was released—double that if there’s already been a Taylor’s Version dropped, too.
Taylor puts into words what we often can’t do ourselves. Then, through the music, you can process your hurt, your trauma, your joy, your breakups, your loves, your losses, your friendships. Just all of it. She draws stars around our scars. I care not if anyone finds it silly or hyperbolic, but I truly believe that parts of me were healed in that stadium Friday and Saturday night. It was group therapy and communal connection and I’m getting a little teary just thinking back to it now.
Some of the most powerful and emotional moments for me include, but are not limited to:
“The Archer” + “Champagne Problems” — All my girlies who have ever felt too much and too complicated and too emotionally messy (and maybe, uh, guarded and afraid of too much vulnerability) really feel these deeply. Who could ever leave us, darling, but who could stay? And yes, screaming, “She would have made such a lovely bride, what a shame she’s FUCKED in the head” was as good as expected. Taylor’s expressive eyes in that moment are *chef’s kiss* perfection as she plays the piano.
“Nothing New” — When we realized that Taylor was going to do this song from the vault with Phoebe DURING the Red set and not as a surprise song, minds were lost, including my own. While it’s fundamentally based in what 22-year-old Taylor was thinking about how she was no longer the shiny new toy in the music industry, it’s also very much about the way our society looks at women as they age. To be in your 40s, knowing full well that you’ve never been more vibrant, but understanding that you are not seen that way anymore by large swaths of society. “What will become of me? Once I’ve lost my novelty” indeed. Well, that’s a lot and you can feel time moving. To see that moment for Phoebe, too. It took my breath away and I pretty much choke sobbed through it. I was so happy when they did it again Saturday night, as I thought they might, because my friend Ashleigh was wanting it soooooo badly. Bless you, ladies.
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“All Too Well” — I mean, come on, that’s a no-brainer. If it was good before, the 10-minute version is just skdjfoiwehwlehjewiourioewhklfdhasiupeh. I’ve always said that this is the song I needed when I was in my mid-late 20s (and in a very, um, Gyllenhaalesque on-and-off relationship), and didn’t get until I was 35. But it retroactively started healing me the first time I heard it. I swear I could feel even more wounds start to close last weekend, and I’m pretty sure my DNA is no longer the same. There’s a part of my heart that also breaks simply because of how many of us connect so deeply to this song, thanks to the ways we’ve been treated. I hate that for us, but I love that we have this masterpiece, an invisible string tying us together as we move forward, past all the bullshit that those (typically) men put us through. It was all deeply spiritual to me.
“Marjorie” — I thought I would cry during this song that Taylor wrote about her grandmother, who died when she was 13 (and also includes her voice as she was an opera singer.) I didn’t know that I would be absolutely weeping both nights. Like, maybe as hard as I’ve ever sobbed in front of other people, let alone a bunch of “strangers”. I’m crying again right now in remembering. If you have lost someone very close to you, this song can cut you to the core. I think of my mom every single time, in every single word: “I should have asked you questions, should have asked you how to be. Asked you to write it down for me. I should have saved every grocery store receipt ‘cause every scrap of you would be taken from me…” The fact that it’s close to Mother’s Day9 probably added a whole other layer because we’re inundated with the holiday at every turn in America. I think I also felt incredibly safe, emotionally, and was able to just let it alllllllllll out. Thank you to everyone around me both nights. You were all so kind and sweet and caring and loving and understanding. I had to fully turn away from the stage and just bend over my seat and collect myself when it was over. It was extremely cathartic and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Also, you might find yourself randomly sobbing to, like, “22”—which is a thing I heard from someone. Just let it out wherever and whenever you need to in the setlist, friends. You will feel loved and protected.
Time, Curious Time
In case you don’t know, during every show Taylor chooses two songs to play acoustic—one on guitar and one on piano. This is a highly anticipated section that has become known in the fandom as “surprise song o’clock”. Alarms are set. People stop what they’re doing and tune into fuzzy livestreams wherever they are. Spreadsheets are being kept about which songs she’s already played.
In true Taylor form (and something I can relate to at my core), she has set up rules for herself about the songs. If she messes one up, she’s allowed to do it again. I, too, feel deep internal shame when I make a mistake—even if nobody else notices or cares. If you don’t immediately correct every typo you make on documents, texts, etc or live with regret when you don’t catch them in, say, your newsletter…you may not understand. What does that feel like???
Also, if it’s from Midnights (her most recent album), she can repeat it. This is her place, she makes the call.
She says she chooses what she’s going to do and then practices all day. Some she hasn’t played live in a long time, if ever. (There’s often a method to the madness. She is cryptic and Machiavellian ‘cause she cares, after all.)
It’s high anxiety time for all of us, and even more so when you’re in the stadium. You can hear me in the background of my own videos being like, “THIS IS SO STRESSFUL.” But it’s the type of stress we love.
To say I was gifted with amazing choices both nights is the truest thing ever. I had thought she might do “Nothing New” on Friday since it was Phoebe’s first night on tour, but then she went ahead and gave us that during Red. So we had TWO MORE coming. And I got to witness straight-up history.
As she started talking about having been planning something, the anticipation in the crowd started to reach an INTENSE level. Then she said instead of “SPEAKING” about it, we needed to look to the back screen where it was revealed that Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) was coming July 7, complete with six unreleased tracks.10
We died dead. RIP US.
Speak Now is her third studio album and the first one she wrote entirely on her own. It’s extremely special and incredibly moving. I can’t wait to hear how the songs sound with her voice as it is now and lord knows John Mayer better sleep with one eye open if there are more vault tracks about his ass. (“Dear John” is from this album.)
(There are also some theories that a book may be coming on July 911—and something appears to going on with her “W” words in some of her other social media captions. But we’ll get into that on Friday.)
She then played “Sparks Fly” from this album and we lost our shit again.
DROP EVERYTHING NOW, MEET ME IN THE POURING RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!
(Yes, you can hear me in the background with a, “Holy shit! I knew it. I fucking knew it!” and then some lol. Yep, hands fully shaking.)
The second song was one of my favorites from Debut, apt as we were in Nashville where her career began. I didn’t expect to get quite so emotional during “Teardrops On My Guitar”, but I sure did and it kept me wishing on a wishing star. I was a whole entire mess after this section.
Then N2 happened and the fates brought me everything I’ve ever wanted.
So, there I am with my silly child of divorce12 tank and purple boa and Lover heart eye and flared Harry’s House jeans and Satellite Stomper-adjacent Adidas sneaks (but make them Taylor) and heart sunnies and red lip classic thing that you like13…and what does this woman decide to play first? OUT OF THE FREAKING WOODS! You can check out my IG Highlights for me screaming lyrics with no voice. I mean, if you dare.
She also messed up a little so we got to do the legendary bridge14 again. Plus, this tune is just an all-time banger.
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What came next was also on my wishlist. I thought it might be in the Nashville mix, but especially after I got this text from Ashleigh, whose floor seats were near the friends/family area15.
She intro’d the song by saying that we’d know what it was when she told us who was here—and it was her high school bestie, Abigail. As in, “You sit in class next to a redhead named Abigail and soon enough your best friends. Laughing at the other girls who think they’re so cool, we’ll be out of here as soon as we can” and “Abigail, gave everything she had to a boy…who changed his mind. We both cried16.”
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Of course, I like “Fifteen” for that reason, but it’s so much more. It encapsulates all the excitement and confusion and anxiety of being 15 so perfectly and the sweet young confused insecure Abby who still lives inside of me feels a little stronger with every listen.
I honestly think it’s lyrically some of her best work and musically, just the loveliest. It taps right into the marrow of teenage girlhood. I’d never heard it live and I will remember it forever and ever and ever.
You take a deep breath
And you walk through the doors
It's the morning of your very first day
You say hi to your friends you ain't seen in awhile
Try and stay out of everybody's way
It's your freshman year
And you're gonna be here for the next four years
In this town
Hoping one of those senior boys
Will wink at you and say, "you know I haven't seen you around, before"
'Cause when you're fifteen,
Somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
And when you're fifteen
Feeling like there's nothing to figure out
Count to ten
Take it in
This is life before you know who you're gonna be
At fifteen
You sit in class next to a redhead named Abigail
And soon enough you're best friends
Laughing at the other girls
Who they think they're so cool
We'll be out of here as soon as we can
And then you're on your very first date
And he's got a car
And you're feeling like flying
And you're mama's waiting up
And you're thinking he's the one
And you're dancing around the room when the night ends
When the night ends
'Cause when you're fifteen,
Somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
And when you're fifteen
And your first kiss makes your head spin around
But in your life you'll do things
Greater than dating the boy on the football team
But I didn't know it at fifteen
When all you wanted
Was to be wanted
Wish you could go back
And tell yourself what you know now
Back then I swore I was gonna marry him someday
But I realized some bigger dreams of mine
And Abigail gave everything she had
To a boy who changed his mind
And we both cried
'Cause when you're fifteen,
Somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
And when you're fifteen
Don't forget to look before you fall
I've found time can heal most anything
And you just might find who you're supposed to be
I didn't know who I was supposed to be
At fifteen
La la la la la
Your very first day
Take a deep breath girl
And take a deep breath as you walk through the doors
Another cool thing about making friends with the people around you at a show is they get SO excited for you when you get your surprise songs.
I just love us, Swifties. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you.
Hold On To the Memories, They Will Hold On To You
Okay, I know I’ve written a novel, but a few more general highlights.
The “Cruel Summer” bridge. Damn, that was worth the wait.
How even though “You Need to Calm Down” is far from one of my favorites, it went as hard as expected live and in person.
The vibe shift from being lost in the woods sobbing during Evermore to the booming bass of “Ready For It?” and the Rep Era is so Swiftian. I loved it. 1, 2, 3 let’s go bitches, we’re not crying anymore. Well, until later.
The entire 1989 section. As I’ve said before, this album’s release in the fall of 2014 helped to start slowly pulling me out of the Swamps of Sadness I’d been drowning in for months after my mom died, when I could barely even listen to music. It is a both a perfect pop album AND a personal treasure to me. “Shake It Off” was a bit of a mantra at the time: “It’s like I got this music, in my mind, saying it’s gonna be alright.” And we know how I feel about classic red lips and boys with James Dean daydream looks in their eye and long-hair, slicked back, wearing white t-shirts that never go out of Style 😉 . Plus, she simply sounds GD fantastic.
When it rained17 a lil bit during “Fearless” on Friday and even she was like, seriously?!? Little did she know what Sunday was about to bring...
Seeing both Folklore era openers: “The 1”18 and “Invisible String19”
Feeling like I’m in the very best cult and coven, especially during songs like “Willow” and “My Tears Ricochet”.
I need the entire Coven of Psychos to learn the “Willow” choreo with me. I’ll bring the velvet capes and glowing orbs.
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The “August” run.
Doing the “Karma” dance in and around my seat and live singing “Spider-boy, king of thieves, weave your little webs of opacity, my pennies made your crown” which I think is just a genius lyric.
Everyone singing along to “Maroon” and “Sweet Nothing” on the post-show playlist as we walked out.
Everything else about the entire show that I would like to see one million times.
I’m going to cut myself off now. But I really haven’t stopped thinking about these concerts since I left them—in a way that isn’t typical even for a fixater like me. I can’t even listen to any other artist at the moment.
Thank you to the fates (and the friends) that made it possible to see these special, special shows. And to the mastermind herself. Our beloved Blondie, Taylor Swift. You’ve built a wonderland (along with all the incredibly talented people you work with) and the world is better for it.
We are the Lucky Ones.
See you Friday.
xA
PS: You can get all the tips on how to attend a Taylor concert like a proper Swiftie here.
As always, I am available for the management of elder millennial and Gen X Swifties (or Harries) in an official capacity at any time. See also: content directed to us elder fangirls.
Taylor herself has mentioned manyyyyyy times, this only seems to be an issue with female artists. Also, if you think that’s all she writes about LOLOLOL.
There are a few songs on there that are sometimes too emotional for me to listen to super often. If you were on I-65 South that morning and saw a woman LOSING HER SHIT, it was probably me sobbing through “Never Grow Up”.
There are a few Swiftian artifacts there but also interactive programming, student art, and so much more that isn’t Taylor-specific.
As referenced in “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)
Now is not the moment to discuss all that other stuff. This is about the show, babies.
I’ve seen Love On Tour 19 times…and I still feel this way at every show.
Did I full-on soak them in the tub after N2? YEP.
More power to anyone in the Dead Moms Club who is there on Sunday in Philly, when she will almost surely sing “The Best Day”. And godspeed if she pairs it with “Soon You’ll Get Better”.
I had thought this lil trickster might even say, “It will be available as soon as you leave the stadium.” But she’s going to do a more proper rollout, which GREAT. I can’t wait. I wonder who will get features??????
This date is referenced in the song “Last Kiss”: “I do recall now the smell of the rain / Fresh on the pavement, I ran off the plane / That July ninth, the beat of your heart / It jumps through your shirt / I can still feel your arms”
Again, it’s TOTALLY FINE if your parents are younger than you in this scenario.
Also, LOYT: Lipstick On Your Teeth. As coined by my friend Meg’s mom when we were kids and is still used by many of us to this day. Like, “you have LOYT” and then you know to rub it off your teeth. ‘Tis a hazard when one of your signatures is a bold lip. Well, at least for me.
Back in the day, when Harry and Taylor dated, he got into a snowmobile accident…hence (alllllllegedly), “remember when you hit the breaks too soon, 20 stitches in a hospital room, when you started crying baby I did too”. There’s also a whole thing about his paper airplane necklace, which is referenced in the song.
Also in the house: Reese, Captain Olivia Benson, Lily Aldridge.
She added, “and it’s alright” to the lyric on Saturday night. I choke sobbed. Again.
We’ll talk about the epic rain show that Nashville N3 got on Friday too. She’s a force.
My day one and forever favorite from the album.
The song that makes me think of my sweet grief camp girls, who I met when they were 12 and are now graduating from high school this spring. Nope, not crying. Not me.
Sounds like an epic adventure. Glad you had so much fun and embraced it so fully!
As someone unable to go, this was incredible to read.