Taylor Swift in Indianapolis reviewed
Taylor Swift’s much anticipated 1989 world tour finally hit Indianapolis recently. Walking among the crowd inside the Banker’s Life Fieldhouse, I had to admit that not only does Swift have some of the best-dressed fans I’d ever seen, but also some of the most creative. Many of the Swifties, as her fans are called, were either dressed in her signature style of summer dresses, crop tops, and high-waisted shorts, or decked out in light-up tutus and glitter. I even saw two people sporting giant cardboard cat heads and wearing t-shirts that read “Team Olivia” and “Team Meredith,” the names of Swift’s two cats.
At precisely 7:30, opening act Vance Joy, took the stage. The up and coming artist played several songs off of his album, “Dream Your Life Away,” including “Mess is Mine” and “Fire and the Flood.” The crowd seemed to receive Joy well throughout his set, but didn’t really get excited until he played his most popular single, “Riptide.”
Shortly after the opener, Swift took the stage. Opening with the first song on her 1989 album, “Welcome to New York,” Swift and her dancers exuded energy and happiness. She went on to perform “Blank Space” and “I Knew You Were Trouble” with a few costume changes in between and some amazing choreography.
Swift performed almost every song on her 1989 album and even included some of her past hits like “Fifteen” and “Enchanted,” which was part of a mash up with her latest single, “Wildest Dreams.” While playing “Love Story” Swift floated about the crowd on her rotating stage, playing the keyboard and giving everyone a chance to be face to face with the pop star.
For her special guest of the evening – during this tour Swift has brought out a new artist/celebrity to join her during “Style” to surprise the audience; Swift was joined by The Band Perry. The crowd went crazy as everyone sang along to “If I Die Young” with Swift and the country stars. When they had finished, Swift wrapped up the show with a new rock and roll version of “We Are Never Getting Back Together,” followed by “Out of the Woods,” and finally, “Shake it Off;” complete with multiple confetti explosions.
This was my first Taylor Swift concert and I was pleasantly surprised by how well the show was put together and how creative it was. Swift’s stage was mobile and there was just the right amount of pyrotechnics and lighting. The backdrops during the songs were beautiful additions to Swift’s strong and clear vocals. I have been to shows where artists relied on the magnitude of their production to cover up a half-hearted performance, but that was not the case with Swift. It was clear in the tone of her voice, her energy level, her eyes, and her smile, that she was enjoying every moment just as much as we were.
-Nicole Cooper