By Joanie Cox-Henry
Photo By Larry Marano
When Taylor Swift hit the stage at Hard Rock Stadium, it wasn't just another concert – it was a seismic event. Friday, Oct. 18, was night one of a three-night Miami extravaganza that will conclude on Sunday, Oct. 20. There was a countdown clock chronicling the show's start that mimicked the energy of New Year's Eve in the middle of Times Square! I have been to thousands of concerts over my lifetime, but I never saw or felt a tsunami of energy and anticipation quite like this. Young girls and women had been planning their outfits for months and handmaking friendship bracelets to trade at the show for over a year. It was also selfie mania in every corner of the stadium as a sea of Swifties smiled and shimmied in sequin mini skirts, flapper dresses, cowboy boots, evening gowns, and other elaborate costumes celebrating the many eras of the stylish Swift.
The pop queen's return to U.S. soil after her European jaunt was nothing short of electrifying, leaving 65,000 Swifties "Enchanted" as she emerged on stage under a flowing flower petal-inspired fabric. She opened with a shortened version of "Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince" and delighted with her seasonal stunner "Cruel Summer."
"Miami, welcome to the Eras Tour!" Taylor exclaimed with her signature acoustic guitar strapped around her as she tossed up her arms joyfully. "So in 2024, we've taken the Eras Tour all over the world. We went to Australia. We went to Asia. We spent the whole summer in Europe. And you know, I just kept thinking to myself, if this tour has to end at some point, which it does, we really have to make sure that the way we end it is by going to the wildest, most passionate, craziest most loving crowd in the world—Miami, Florida!"
Swift went on to pour more compliments on the amped-up crowd.
"And I am so glad I did because you're a crowd of dreams. You're a crowd I saw in my childhood dreams, daydreaming about doing this one day in my bedroom," Swift recalled. "It's already been a bit of a dream tonight because you already got to see an artist who is so amazing, so brilliant, so magnetic, so lovable. She is our opening act on the Eras Tour. She is my friend and an artist I love—Gracie Abrams."
Dreams. It’s what Taylor Swift evokes in others best. And that goes for the people who come to see her and those who open for her too.
Armed with her guitar, Abrams delivered an energetic opening set with her emo-charged lyrics and fiery stage presence.
Taylor Swift fans had been flying in from all over the world for this event. I met multiple young women who were going to this show who had traveled from El Paso, Texas, Portland, Oregon, New Jersey, Charlotte, North Carolina, Augusta, Georgia, and beyond.
"It's healing. It's a healing era," a fan named Cynthia said. "We love her. Thank you so much, Taylor, for your music and for being such a lovely human being."
Isabel, another concert goer, said Swift's music impacted her when she was in middle school. "I've loved her since her 1989 album."
Samantha Jackson said she appreciates Swift's music because "It's relatable."
Her friend Rachel, who also saw Swift on the European leg of her tour in Switzerland, said she is a fan because she's been listening to Swift since age 11 and feels like she and the popstar grew up together.
That sentiment of growing up together is very much mutual for both Swift and her fans. The superstar expressed in her documentary, Miss Americana, "There is an element to my fan base where we feel like we grew up together," Swift said in the film. "I'll be going through something, write the album about it, and sometimes it will coincide with what they're going through. It's kind of like they're reading my diary."
The pop sensation's ability to make 65,000 people in a stadium feel as if she's singing just to them and making that sacred connection is what makes her stand out as the most sought-after performer on the planet.
Swift wanted to make it clear early on in the show that she'd be taking the audience through all the eras of her dynamic career. This is the highest-grossing tour of all time, and after burning through 46 songs and playing for over three hours in the pouring rain, it's easy to see why. Swift also unleashes 16 costume changes upon the fashion-hungry crowd. When the singer debuted a new black and gold Roberto Cavalli bodysuit covered with a seductive cobra design during the Reputation era of her show, the screams of satisfaction in the stadium hit an even higher level. Prior to this new look, she had been sporting a red and black version of the suit since the tour launched in Arizona in 2023.
Swift divided the show into albums, gracefully moving through tunes from Love, Fearless, Red, Speak Now, Reputation, Folklore, Evermore, 1989, The Tortured Poets Department, and Midnight.
The chart-topping artist's fans were all buzzing about the surprise songs before the show began. When Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine fame hit the stage, it was clear a magic moment was about to unfold in the Magic City. Together, they belted out "Florida!!!" from Swift's latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, which was a duet made in rock and roll heaven. Welch's ethereal vocals, paired with Swift's powerful pop pipes, created a moment that'll be etched in fans' minds for years to come. And let's take a moment to appreciate the fashion! Swift floated across the stage in a dreamy white ballgown by Vivienne Westwood. Another costume debut happened earlier in the show when Swift rocked a flirty, silver-fringed minidress during her Fearless set.
Swift's ability to command a stadium is nothing new, but there's something even more powerful about her presence now. Maybe the confidence comes from being at the top of her game, or maybe it's just that she's having the time of her life up there, even in the pouring rain. That energy transcends to her faithful fans, who lit up the stadium with a sea of wonder lights thanks to Capital One’s glowing wristbands that were handed out at the entrance of the show. The band’s light up and buzz throughout the performance creating an interactive, multi-sensory experience coordinated with the stage lighting.
The production value was off the charts, with visuals that could probably be seen from space. But even with all the bells and whistles, it's Swift's raw talent and connection with her audience that really demonstrates how she has people scrambling for tickets in every city she visits. She had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand, from the die-hard fans who've been there since day one to the boyfriends of Swifties sporting Travis and Jason Kelce jerseys. There was also a proud army of Taylor Swift "girl dads" who brought their daughters to the hot ticket event and even husbands sporting custom shirts that said things like "Proud Husband of A Swiftie."
Swift sang hit after hit and eventually closed with confetti and “Karma.” The memories and stories shared that night, both on and off that stage, will live in the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to be there.
One thing was crystal clear: Taylor Swift isn't just performing concerts; she's creating experiences and a positive sense of community. The Eras Tour began March 17, 2023, and will end Dec. 8, 2024, in Vancouver. If you can catch one of Taylor Swift's final performances on this tour, absolutely go for it. If you think it might rain, I highly suggest bringing a poncho.
When recalling the magnitude of Swift's tour visit to Miami, I have to again circle back to the fans who Swift is deeply connected to. Being a Swiftie isn't just about adoring a pop star. It's about being part of a global hub, a chosen family bound by melodies and memories. It's about finding yourself in the lyrics of a song, and knowing millions of others have done the same.
Everyone I met at the show was kind and cool, and there was a very high frequency of energy buzzing through that crowd. One of the younger Swifties stretched a handmade bracelet over my hand when she noticed I didn't have any with messages on them. It was a cool moment another fan recreated when she handed a handmade bracelet to Swift, who bent down and graciously accepted the sweet gift.
Swift is spreading a message of love and frankly, we could all use a bit more of that at this moment. Thank you Taylor Swift for showing us that no matter what era of our lives we're in, it's never too late to be "Fearless."
While life can feel fragmented and lonely at times, Swifties have created their own nation—one where everyone is welcome, as long as they're ready to sing along and "Shake It Off!"
All images by Larry Marano.
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