Just when you think you’ve read it all, comes the ultimate Swift review
By Mitch Gaynor, editor-at-large
ONE minute you’re minding your own business, listening to angst-ridden fading 90s indie hits and the next you’ve spent hundreds (and hundreds) of dollars on a ticket, bought airfares, booked accommodation, told the kids you can’t afford to take them, someone’s handed you a pair of blue love-heart glasses, a pink gin and you’re at the concert of a lifetime.
And if you didn’t already know it, you’re officially a Swiftie.
I’ll own that and as a bonus I get to own the memories of watching the world’s biggest popstar perform a flawless three-and-a-half hour set in front 85,000 like-minded friends.
What an intense little slice of life.
My friends referred to it as an out-of-body experience.
Maybe not. But I’m on board and have well and truly taken my seat on the Tay Tay Express.
And why not. To be surrounded by so much joy, positivity and, mostly, fun, its the ultimate getaway from the cynicism and negativity that typically propels the world forward.
Swift’s Monday night concert – the last of the Australian leg of her two-year world tour – was only part of the story.
To the outsider it might all seem a bit OTT: From the airline welcoming ladies, gentlemen and ‘Swifties’ on board to playing her songs en route, to literally every second person leaving Sydney wearing her merchandise, to hopping on board the ‘Tay Tay Express’ at Central with tens of thousands of friendship-bracelet and glitter-wearing folk of all ages. There was simply no escape. So as captor and captivated we descended to our ground tickets – broke the heart of the 5 foot 2 teenager standing behind me (if looks could kill I’d be a dead man) – and embraced the spirit of Taylor.
More has been written about her body of work and lyrics than I could dare capture here, but the spine tingling response to EVERY song, spoke volumes.
The relatability of her music, whether you’re 15 or 50, the mix of simplicity and maturity of those words somehow resonate across generations.
A 10-minute version of All Too Well? Why should I care about a teenage break-up? I don’t, but it stirs universal memories of love and loss.
You can ask everyone their favourite, but it’s like being asked to pick a favourite child … it depends on your mood.
Luckily there’s a song (or many) for every state of mind. The set itself was phenomenal.
Visually (I had to drop the fancy glasses for my prescriptions) the varying ‘era’ sets brilliantly highlighted her evolution as an artist.
And my highlights? Lover – because somewhere there I’m such a romantic. All Too Well of course, Enchanted, Love Story, Betty. Wow, what a sop. The Man as well, because F the patriarchy.
And now that I’ve seen how glitter and fireworks can lift a song, Karma becomes a new favourite.
The Midnights hit was an incredible end to a special evening.
I don’t know if this was peak Swift. I suspect it was, but if you’re not on board, it’s never too late.