Sunday 2 February was a monumental day for me. No, it wasn’t my birthday, or the day that I got into university – it was the day that I went to a Taylor Swift concert.
Ever since her smash-hit Love Story hit radios back in 2008, I’ve been mesmerized by her music. Through the power of song, she conveys experiences that I – and every other girl in the world – can so easily relate to.
After releasing four albums and winning numerous awards, it only made sense that she’d perform in London’s biggest venue: The 02 Arena. And, of course, there was no doubt about it – I had to go.
The 02 was swarmed with “Swifties”. Dedicated fans honoured the singer’s latest album Red by dressing in that very colour. Some fans wore black hats and the cat ears that Taylor so famously trended in her 22 music video. Others designed their own outfits, scrawling the singer’s most famous lyrics onto their clothes. The atmosphere was electric.
Support act The Vamps truly knew how to warm up the audience. They performed their latest singles Wild Heart and Can We Dance, along with an impressive rendition of The Killers’ Mr Brightside. But by the time their set finished, the crowd were itching to catch a glimpse of Taylor.
Another few minutes passed before the lights dimmed, illuminating the thousands of glow-sticks that cluttered the stadium. Suddenly, Taylor could be heard belting out the first notes of State of Grace – and the crowd went wild.
Her vocals were sensational – the girl can hold a note! She sang some old fan favourites, including You Belong with Me, Mean, and Fifteen. Her songs ranged hugely – from the topic of love and loss, to the art of facing bullies. But she used more than just her singing to grab the crowd’s attention. She played various instruments, including a guitar, banjo, piano, and even the drums!
The staging was theatrical, and I expected nothing less from Miss Swift. During her performance of Sparks Fly, sparks definitely did fly! Literally. Golden, glittery fireworks erupted from the stage, while Taylor was elevated on a moving platform around the arena. I Knew You Were Trouble was one of the best performances of the evening. The lights dimmed, and dark smoke rolled off the stage. Edgy, masked backing dancers swarmed around Taylor as she sported a white gown – only to rip it off like magic, replaced by a black playsuit. She’s not just a pretty face, but a swift changer too!
What I loved about The Red tour is that there was something for everyone – from the stripped-back performance of Fifteen to the bustling, busy performance of 22. Taylor captivated the audience with her voice and acoustic guitar just as easily as she did when supported by her band and backing dancers. She told different stories, from the burdens of fame in The Lucky One, to the nostalgia over a past relationship in Holy Ground before ending the night with singalong favourite We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.
Taylor painted London Red at her second sold-out show in the 02. I was lucky enough to be there – and let me tell you, the trip to London was worth it.
[rating=5]
Set List
State of Grace
Holy Ground
Red
You belong with me
The Lucky One
Mean
22
Fifteen
Sparks Fly
I Knew You Were Trouble
All Too Well
Money On My Mind – Duet with special guest Sam Smith
Love Story
Treacherous
We are never ever getting back together
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images
