“I write a lot of breakup songs,” Taylor Swift admitted during Saturday night’s stop as part of her “Red Tour” at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Her highly publicized and star-studded dating track record should be fair justification. For anyone who complains about her writing style or bashes her music — it’s become trite and too easy to do so. And really, why you gotta be so mean? [Text by Valerie, photos by Tracy]
Illinois native Brett Eldredge opened the evening, showcasing his conventional country attitude and southern style. His soulfully smooth vocals embodied a distinct richness as he performed a low-key set backed by his three-piece band. He reminded me that Taylor Swift was, at one point, a lot more country.
The next opener, acoustic-driven Brit singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, seemed to be rather out of place on this tour. Taylor and Ed recorded a track together, “Everything Has Changed,” which was the only connection I could make as to why he was on the bill.
When Ed grabbed the mic and started rambling through songs in his thick brogue, everyone looked curiously at the redheaded Brit, half-confused as to what he was saying and intrigued at the same time. He commanded the crowd to clap like this, sing that part, sway this way and enjoy that British charm (indirectly on the latter). He was the only musician on stage, just him and his broken-in acoustic guitar as he records layers of different harmonies and looped parts live with his foot pedal. It was an intense 40-minute set, fiery yet balanced with softer moments that came when he delivered his two best-known singles “Lego House” and “A-Team.”
The level of anticipation rose considerably after Ed’s performance, with enthusiastic fans packing the aisles and finding their seats as the forum capacity reached its absolute brim. All around the arena, blinking lights, embellished posters and every shade of red spanned across and up to the 300 sections. Two buff dudes walked by our seats wearing their seriously shameless dedication on matching black tanks that read “Taylor Swift or Die.”
The lights dimmed and the word “RED” blinked across multiple screens while multiple screams pierced the air and reminded me I’d forgotten to arm myself with proper ear protection. A red curtain projected Taylor’s shadow as she kicked off her set with “State of Grace,” the curtain then ripped down to reveal an elaborate stage setup with a high-rise platform leading to the fancy staircases surrounded by her band.
If you were worried about not being able to see Ms. Swift’s pretty face up close and in full color detail, you need not have worried, as a gigantic towering live screen projected live footage of Taylor close-ups in glorious high definition. After she made her official sans-curtain appearance, she stood on the stage, soaking up the arena’s chaotic atmosphere, gazing sweeping dramatically over her fans from left to right, her eyes gleaming as she took it all in.
Taylor began by informing the crowd they’d just purchased a ticket to hear her sing about her feelings for the next two hours, and the cheers and screams in response didn't sound like a protest. She explained the meaning behind the “Red Tour” color scheme, which represent love, anger, frustration and every intense emotion you can experience. Her ruby bedazzled microphone, red-hot lipstick and sparkly red “there’s no place like home” slip-ons appropriately adhered to her tour namesake.
In addition to a live band, numerous dancers accompanied Taylor, giving the whole show a Broadway sort of feel. Their choreography was a bit cheesy at times and rather distracting. In fact, the whole production was a little over the top and hard to follow, for me at least. The stage turned into a carousel during a couple songs and then transformed into a ballroom; the themes kept changing and none of it seemed very cohesive, unless crazy circus/doo-wop/Beauty and the Beast fairytale is what she was going for then she planned it.
Though, in all seriousness, if you strip away the fireworks, costumes and carefully scripted dialogue, the girl can sing — contrary to popular belief.
About halfway through the set, Taylor moved to the back of the arena to a small platform, where she busted out an acoustic guitar and strummed through a few songs the way I most appreciated them, without all the extra frills, including the much-anticipated duet with Ed Sheeran, who graced the stage once more to join Taylor for “Everything Has Changed.”
By the end of the two-hour concert, everyone was expecting “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” to close the night. Confetti flew and the dancers took their final bows as Taylor finished off her extravagant set. I’m sure all of the “Swifties” left the show Tweeting “best night ever!” and posting Instagram selfies in Red Tour gear. I left feeling more respect for Taylor’s talents, beyond all of the glitz and glamour. And I’m never getting that song out of my head though, like, ever.
Setlist
State of Grace
Holy Ground
Red
You Belong With Me
The Lucky One
Mean
Stay Stay Stay/Ho Hey (Lumineers cover)
22
(B-Stage)
I Almost Do
Everything Has Changed (ft. Ed Sheeran)
Begin Again
(Back to main stage)
Sparks Fly
I Knew You Were Trouble
All Too Well (Piano)
Love Story
Treacherous
(Encore)
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
This article appears in Apr 25 – May 1, 2013.