Girls Night Out!
For being a country show there weren't a lot of cowboy hats but I have never seen so many kinds of fancy cowgirl boots! The Spokane Arena was filled to capacity with girls of all ages ranging from 4 to 85. It was a great night for mothers and daughters, best friends, and everything in between. There was a huge energy in the crowd as glow-sticks swirled around in the dark and signs floated across the see of people. I felt like last night was one big "Girl's Night Out!" Now there were some gentlemen and some boys there, being the best husbands and boyfriends by taking their girl to see the country princess Taylor Swift. Plus it's not like you have to be a girl to like her, how can you not be impressed with a 19 year old country super star! But before I go on to talk about the best show I have seen this month, I want to talk about the other two acts on tour with Taylor. 
Gloriana was the first band to get the crowd up and dancing for the night. Featuring Tom, Mike, Rachel, and Cheyenne their foursome harmonies sounded in tune and smooth. They reminded me of a cross between Little Big Town and Fleetwood Mac. I loved their interaction with each other and the crowd, they all had huge smiles on their faces and covering the whole front of the catwalk. Gloriana had a first for me! I have never been in an audience where they were filming a live music video. As soon as they mentioned they were going to be filming for "The Way It Goes," the whole audience rose to their feet and started clapping their hands. For not having any percussion at all, their vocals and guitar playing really stood out. The four ended their set with their hit single "Wild At Heart" and their set was a great transition into miss red high-heels herself, Kellie Pickler.
That was the quickest turn around on sets at the Arena I have ever seen. Kellie took the stage in 4inch silver sparkly high heels to match her jewel covered microphone and stand. One of the coolest things about Kellie Pickler was how she would just kneel down and sign autographs for people while she was still singing, not missing a note or anything. Kellie's bubbly personality lit up the arena just as much as her music did. There was a 5-year-old birthday girl in the crowd named Kylie and it was her birthday, Kellie just grabbed her out of the audience and took her up on stage. When an artist takes the time out of their set to sign things, shake hands, and wish girls Happy Birthday I think that shows a lot about their character. I will say I didn't need earplugs because the music was loud but because of the 8 year old girl behind me who had the highest scream ever, she was thrilled to see both Kellie and Taylor. It was her dream come true she told me. Kellie Pickler had 5 guys backing her on stage making her set complete! Kellie closed it out with a big smile, bare feet (I would've taken off 4 inch heels after the first song - she made it half way) and her first single "Red High Heels."
 The stage curtain rose and all you saw was high school cheerleaders and Taylor's band dressed up like a Marching Band! Then you slowly see a big feathered hat rise up out of the white stage and Taylor shows up dressed like the "Ring Leader" of the Marching Band singing "You Belong With Me." Half way through the song all the cheerleaders ripped off her marching band uniform and she was wearing a black and silver almost like vintage Flapper girl dress. Taylor Swift's changing costumes so much throughout the night, I don't think I could really even count them all. It was a production without a doubt. The whole night Taylor had people on stage to act and dance, it was almost like while she was singing she was creating this story for you to watch and she was also acting in the story too. It was a really cool concept. One of the things that makes Taylor Swift so great is that she is honest about High School and Middle School and I think every kid goes through the things she sings about. Both girls and boys (well sometimes boys) can relate to her music and that is why she sells out the Spokane Arena in record timing. When she was performing she was humble, kind, and sounded just like her albums do. At one point in her show she did an acoustic set where all the sudden she appears not on the stage but up in the 100's section and walks through the crowd down to a mini stage and while she is walking she is giving out her bracelet's to girls, hugging, shaking hands. She was fearless. By this point I even think she was on dress 4!
 I liked that she moved part of her set to the back of the floor on the mini stage because then the "front row" technically changes and new people can be up close. She also walked through the whole floor after the acoustic set back up to the main stage. I don't want to ruin every little detail about the concert, because there are some really cool surprises. She also incorporated video into her set and did all sorts of wild stuff with that. Like I mentioned before, for being 19 she is a complete rockstar! For my favorite song "Love Story" had and orchestrated version of the song play while her dancers were dressed up in Renaissance costumes. Then she pops up out the stage that was now a castle and rises up in a huge red dress. It was very fairy tale/love story hence the song title and it was perfect! I sang and danced along, what girl doesn't want a fairy tale love story?! During Love Story she also changed into a white evening gown. It was quite the production and everyone made it look effortless. There wasn't a single moment where I lost attention or was bored. I would most certainly see Taylor Swift again, and I hope she does come back! The show was the best Spokane Arena show I have seen in a while and I know that she made all those little girl's years not just nights! Taylor Swift is the Madonna of Country - this tour is pretty much sold out everywhere but when she comes back through.... you better be there!
Check out all our pics from the show HERE!
Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com |
