As a huge Taylor Swift fan who has seen her in concert three times (including the most incredible experience in Toronto for Reputation), I really wanted to see Eras Tour. It’s just really difficult, almost impossible, to get tickets.
Still, my friend Amanda and I toasted to going to see Taylor in Miami when we had dinner at Capa on Valentine’s Day this year (she was in from out of town and could only meet that night, but I couldn’t have cared less – it was fabulous!).
I wanted the toast to turn into reality but there was a lot of research and planning involved that ended up booking a hotel room in March (more on the Acqualina next week), and figuring out what kind of tickets I wanted and how I was going to get them.
I have previously won a couple experiences from online auction site CharityBuzz. It’s been awhile, but I still get their emails and saw a bunch of experiences for the Miami shows. I ended up placing a few bids and finally securing two tickets in a theater box. Now, I am normally a floor seat girl, but I went with the box for a few reasons: I knew they were legitimate tickets from a reputable source, they were climate controlled, and they were well within the going rate for good seats.
I bought them in June and then planned my outfits (they’ll get their own post as well) and helped Amanda plan her trip. There were about eight million moving parts to this and sometimes it felt like the day would never get here. Because I’m an anxious person, it also felt like it wouldn’t work out properly.
But I planned everything I could, including picking up a black north parking pass for a seamless experience, and it was perfect. The entire experience from start to finish was literally PERFECT and I am beyond grateful.
Having the parking pass allowed us easy entry into and out of the parking lot, as well as the stadium. I never imagined we wouldn’t encounter issues with traffic or lines at security. Nor did I think we would pass over the main concourse altogether. Sure, it was sad not to trade a bunch of bracelets, but it was nice to avoid what I had heard was a bit of a chaotic situation elsewhere in the stadium.
The theater box was incredible, holding not more than 25 people, we had comfortable chairs, a table in front of us, food and drink options, and quite the spectacular view. Look, they weren’t floor seats, but it was magnificent to see the whole stage from a far, as well as the stadium all lit up with the LED bracelets.
Plus, we got to see a RAIN SHOW! And we didn’t get wet since we were inside. It was most definitely my Swiftie dream come true! But really, the entire show was, starting with Gracie Abrams’ amazing opening set. Though I only heard a bit of Risk walking to the box, I saw the rest of her set and it was such a nice way to kick off the evening.
From that magnificent opening with the fans and colors and Miss Americana and Cruel Summer to All Too Well and singing all ten minutes worth of words along with 60,000 people to the entire Reputation section (I’m always in my Rep Era) with a new outfit.
All of that alone would have been enough, but the show continued with the beautiful and moody Folklore/Evermore set including the amazing visuals of Willow, jamming to 1989 because nothing about Taylor Swift will ever go out of Style, and Tortured Poets.
So Taylor plays some of my favorite songs during TTPD set, including Down Bad with the spaceship visual that is just … um … out of this world. But, Florida!!! is my favorite song. I was really hoping Florence Welch would show up to sing the song with Taylor. But then she was at the last night in London and my hopes were dashed, even if it was still all I thought about.
Taylor started singing Florida!!! during TTPD and I still freaked out, even though a Florence appearance felt unlikely, but then a trap door in the stage opened and I exclaimed audibly and there was Florence and let me tell you, it was a completely out of body experience! I was just so excited! I am STILL so excited. Since we went on night one, I had absolutely no idea and it was real life magic.
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By the time the Midnights set rolled around, I really tried to enjoy the last fleeting moments of the show. The rain picked up for some extra ambiance, the sparkles and bright colors of the set made it feel like a little party, and it really did feel like the fates and the planets and all the stars aligned a la Mastermind for this insane night.
At about three and a half hours, the show is long and fulfilling. Maybe a few of my favorite songs weren’t played, but it is a complete masterpiece that is something to behold.
It was rare, and I still can’t believe I was there.
I booked tickets for Vienna :(. It looks like you had an amazing time though!
I’m so sorry the Vienna shows didn’t happen, Annalise 🙁 I hope you get to see Taylor one day!