Painting Nashville Red
“Some of you bought tickets and came to the concert to find that your seats are WAAAY up there. If you are wondering…I can see you! And you look beautiful.”
Taylor, no matter what any genre police might contend, is first and foremost Nashville’s sweetheart. This weekend she has a sold out shows for three nights at the Bridgestone Arena to end her Red Tour. I almost kicked myself, my freshman year, when Speak Now Tour came and I didn’t get the chance to go. This time, with Taylor’s most eclectic album yet, there were no reservations.
Casey James might have stolen a few tweens hearts, swaying his tousled blonde locks almost metronomically to the beat of “Crying on a Suitcase”. Unaccompanied, weaving Macklemore and Blackstreet lyrics into his performance while, Ed Sheeran may have stolen my heart. I’m pretty sure there was a fluorescent light competition and I just didn’t get the memo. The sheer number of R-E-D letter signs I saw! All of which cleverly dropped the ‘R’ and threw up a matching heart sign lights when Ed Sheeran took the stage.
Several sparkle explosions and ceiling-held drummers later, Taylor started the show, moving seamlessly from old hits to her latest crazes. Outfitted in long red gloves and a sparkly fitted dress, Taylor sang a 50’s swing inspired version of “You Belong with Me”. Whoever came up with that one is a genius. Caitlin Evanson (I have a HUGE talent crush on her!) epically began one of the most anticipated hits of the night. I don’t know how you lay on the ground and play a violin, but it looked graceful and fierce as she whipped her fiery red hair and the tune evolved. The crowd experienced a collective “aha” as we realized it was the intro to “I Knew You Were Trouble”. The entire show, even the juxtaposition of the old and new songs, didn’t feel out of place…but reflective of the ever evolving persona of Taylor. Now…I’m waiting for Meredith to make a guest appearance.