Taylor Swift – July 14th – Empower Field at Mile High

Photos by Kevin Martinico

Taylor Swift’s Eras World Tour made its much-anticipated stop at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, and it was nothing short of a seismic event. Governor Polis penned an open letter to fans about the implications of 150,000 people descending on the downtown stadium as world leaders were begging Swift to visit their countries (and economies). As one of the lucky 70,000 plus attendees on the first night of the two-night extravaganza, I can confidently say that this was an experience of a lifetime for all the Taylor Swift fans who were able to secure tickets.

The concert was an epic marathon, with Taylor Swift gracing the stage for an impressive three-and-a-half hours. She delivered an astonishing 45-song setlist featuring a mini-set for nine of her ten albums. This comprehensive selection ensured fans of all eras of Swift’s music were treated to their favorite hits – something other artists could take a cue from.

The hype surrounding the concert was like nothing I’d ever seen before, with tickets being sold for thousands of dollars just moments before the show began. It was no surprise, though, as the Eras World Tour is projected to become the first billion-dollar tour in history. The two concerts in Denver alone injected a staggering $140 million into the local economy, along with a record-breaking amount of FOMO for those unwilling to mortgage their homes to take their families to a concert.

What truly set this performance apart was the immense effort put into the production. Each mini-set had its own unique theme, stage props, costumes, and dancers; transporting the audience into the different worlds Swift has created throughout her career. From the pink-and-purple hues of the “Lover” era, to the snake-infested world of “Reputation,” to prom night aesthetics of the “Speak Now” era, to the lost in the woods, indie folk of “Folklore” and “Evermore,” to the edgy, cabaret theme of “Midnights,” every detail was meticulously crafted to enhance Taylor Swift’s time machine.

One of the moments fans look forward to every night is the “secret song” set, in which Taylor surprises the crowd with two tracks not on the regular setlist. On night one in Denver, she had something truly special in store for the crowd. She started out by playing “Picture to Burn” for the first time live since 2010 and, as it was the only song of the night from her debut album, it evoked nostalgia and excitement in long-time fans. This was followed by her first ever live performance of “Timeless” from her recently released, re-recorded “Speak Now” album. I didn’t have an opinion on what should be played during this set, but I was happy she included one song from her self-titled album. It made the show feel complete knowing she had performed songs from every album.

Speaking of the audience, their enthusiasm was unmatched. The deafening roars and thunderous applause echoed throughout the stadium, creating an electric atmosphere. To add to the night’s visuals, every attendee was given wristbands that changed colors and blinked in sync with each song, transforming the stadium into a sea of vibrant lights and synchronized movements.

The diverse range of fans in attendance was remarkable. Mothers were there with their daughters, and grandparents with their grandchildren – all united by their love for Swift’s music. They were all from different “eras,” and it was heartwarming to witness generations coming together, celebrating, and creating lasting memories.

If I had to list one complaint about the show, it would be the seats on the field. That’s a complaint I have about every concert, however. I believe that all open spaces should be standing room, General Admission. No one sat during the show, but we were stuck in our little spaces without room to move. It would have been a better experience if we were a little more free down there.

As confetti blanketed the stadium and fireworks burst above, I was in awe at what I’d just witnessed. I remember my dad whistling a Taylor Swift tune back in 2006. He said, “This young girl is going to be big someday.” We thought that was already true when he and I brought my daughter to see the “Speak Now” Tour at the Pepsi Center in 2010. My dad isn’t alive anymore, but he couldn’t have been more right. Say what you will about her music (I know not everyone is a fan), but Taylor Swift has solidified her status as one of the biggest (if not the biggest) stars in the world. With that comes a price, and it’s sad that Ticketmaster issues, scalpers, and greed have made it almost impossible for many to experience her music live. Still, Taylor has proved herself a powerful businesswoman as well, and my guess is if anyone is going to cause a change in the broken ticketing business, it’ll be her.