Taylor Swift LIVE at the Rose Bowl

After months of preparation and anticipation, my friends and I drove to Pasadena to see the incomparable Taylor Swift on Saturday afternoon. It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that she’s just about my all-time favorite musician. I’ve followed her career since 2006-07 and have been one of the lucky ones to be there every step of the way, from opening acts and the T-Party Room to watching her headline stadiums all around the world and becoming a true worldwide phenomenon.

We wanted to get there early for parking and to have enough time to explore the various fan stations set up outside of the venue. We fangirled over the trucks and took photos, then stood in line for merch. While we didn’t make it to the infamous “LWYMMD” chair photo op, we did wander through another fan area with booths and vendors.

We even ran into Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt of “The Hills” fame. I wasn’t going to get a picture with them since they’d brought their baby, but people were starting to spot them and they didn’t mind the attention, so I asked for a picture. I mean, they were part of my teenage years and pop culture history, so why not?

We met up with our other friend, then got in line to go inside the venue. Once we were in, we had plenty of time to kill, so we ate a few snacks and walked around for a bit.

Although we had to wait in our seats awhile, Taylor videos on the screen kept us entertained.

And then…The show started! I didn’t really know much about Charlie XCX going into it, but I was impressed. For one, I forgot how many hits she actually had. She worked the crowd and had a lot of fun songs. I made a mental note to get some of her music for workouts later on.

Camila Cabello was everything I hoped she’d be and more. What you see is what you get; she’s very candid and is so taken by the beauty of everything, including what she thought was “the moon.” It was actually just the parking lot balloon that was lit up. In her defense, it was far away and did resemble the moon, so I get it. She’s such a songstress and feels all of the emotions, much like the blonde-haired gal who was the star of the night.

FINALLY…The beat for “Are You Ready For It…” dropped and a silhouette of Taylor appeared on stage. That was the moment everyone lost their minds and didn’t get it back until the end of the night. She sang all of my favorites, including “Getaway Car,” “Delicate,” “Gorgeous” and “King of My Heart.” From the start to the end, Marisel and I were dancing and living in the moment. It was one of those nights you want to hold onto forever. Where everything seems right and you’re not thinking about what comes next.

There were fireworks, snakes, fire, dancers and every moment had us on the edge of our seats the entire night.

My favorite moments of the night were the stripped down sets, though, when it was just Taylor and her guitar or at the piano, just talking with the crowd. Her speech before “Delicate” about being vulnerable or her singing “All Too Well” on the B stage or her mashing up “Long Live” and “New Year’s Day.” The entire night was inspiring; therapeutic even, as silly as that may sound. Being with your best friend on a cool Pasadena night, wind blowing with all the glitz and glamour of a huge tour production? There’s nothing better.

Taylor also brought us out special guests Selena Gomez and Troye Sivan. It’s always exciting to go on the last night, because she always steps up the special guest game. Selena’s appearance and speech about their friendship made everyone cry, for sure.

Going to a Taylor Swift show is almost like being part of an inside joke. You really don’t get it until you’re part of it. You can do your best to describe the sets, the costumes, the guests or even the songs and the way it made you feel. But, until you’re standing in that stadium, hearing it for yourself, you just don’t fully understand it.

 

I’ve been to all of Taylor’s headlining shows: Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989 and now, Reputation. It’s been incredible to share and experience all of the phases of Taylor Swift. She never changes, but she never stays the same either, and I think that’s the essence of a true artist. Remembering her as the curly haired girl with cowboy boots and a guitar, opening up for Brad Paisley and to see what she is now just leaves me speechless.

Sharing the experience with Marisel, her cousin and a couple other friends was an absolute blast. I’ll never forget that night; feeling young and free. It was the perfect start to my summer “break.”

“Hold onto the memories, and they will hold onto you…” 

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