In July 2023 we had one very important mission: secure tickets for Mollie (and Kyles) to go and see Taylor Swift in concert! After pre-registering for every European date, we had a total of 30 access codes for 22 different European venues and were ready to endure the lottery of trying to buy tickets when various stadium’s tickets were released over a 4 week period. Day 1 of European ticket sales had the Vienna and Stockholm dates released – Vienna at 10am and Stockholm at 2pm. We had 2 codes for each of these cities, and had no idea how many times we would have to go through this before (if?) we were successful, but we were extremely lucky (or so we thought at the time) to secure tickets for the Friday Vienna show on our first attempt. As the Vienna concert was (at that time) the last date of her European Tour, we had nothing to do but wait 13 months and spend this time planning outfits and making hundreds of friendship bracelets (yes, seriously!).
The next 12 months were spent listening to Mollie singing Taylor Swift songs endlessly, learning each and every word to her entire back catalogue – plus her new album – The Tortured Poets Department – once it was released. Shep was heard to mutter that he knew who was being tortured! There was obviously a fanatic Swiftie in the house, and she spent all her Christmas and pocket money on her outfit and accessories for the gig.
Fast forward to August 2024. Taking the opportunity to visit one of the great capitals of Europe, I had booked a beautiful hotel in the middle of Vienna – the wonderful Hotel Sans Soucis (we simply cannot recommend it too highly – the hotel and especially the staff were AMAZING) for 3 nights, organized tickets to a backstage tour of the Vienna Opera House (breathtakingly beautiful – of Mission Impossible Rogue Nation fame), and had also booked afternoon tea at the iconic Café Sacher inventor of the sachertorte (fabulous, but you must reserve well in advance!). Flights were booked, transfers to the hotel organized, bags were packed, and the night before the trip Mollie was packed off to bed too excited to sleep. This was going to be a magical few days.
Before going to bed that night, I was turning off my computer when a “breaking news” alert came in from BBC News. Taylor Swift’s Vienna concerts had been cancelled because of a terrorist plot that had been discovered by the Austrian authorities. My blood ran cold – thank goodness the terrorists had been foiled, but also how on earth was I going to break this to Mollie? And what were we going to do? After late night tears, we decided to go to Vienna anyway and make the most of the trip …. and I am so glad that we did.
Aside from the splendour of the Austrian capital (Mollie claims it is the most beautiful city in the world!) the city was teeming with tens of thousands of Swifties, from across the globe. We met people from all over Europe, from Australia, Singapore and even the US who had flown over for the event. The Vienna authorities and businesses were incredible in trying to ensure that everyone had as good a time as possible with free museum entry and extra events and promotions. It was joyful to see the love and support from the friendly people in this beautiful city.
From impromptu sing-a-longs of 1000 plus Swifties in the city centre, to Mollie exchanging friendship bracelets with people from well over a dozen different nationalities, the experience was heartbreaking, overwhelming yet truly life affirming. It was incredible to see such demonstrations of inspiring humanity, from largely young people absolutely everywhere. Even the police were decked out in Swiftie bracelets!
We had a wonderful three days in the capital. The weather was beautiful, the architecture breathtaking, the food and wine excellent, and the people warm, charming and welcoming. We cannot wait to come back!
But what of Taylor, my heartbroken daughter, outfits that you won’t want to wear every day (electric blue cowboy hat with matching marabou feather trim, anyone?!) and over a hundred friendship bracelets?
Well, the piggybank was emptied, the house re-mortgaged, and I purchased tickets for one of the final Wembley Stadium shows (which had thankfully been added) the following week. We jumped on (another) airplane and flew to England………
And well.
What
A
Show
I have been to many gigs in my life, and lit a fair few as well, back in the day. But this was remarkable. Astounding. Simply incredible. Three and a half hours of complete brilliance.
The production values of the tour are exceptional – the staging, sets, projection, camerawork and of course, the lighting! The band are world class musicians, and the backing dancers, singers and choreography fabulous. And the costumes …… wow!
And Taylor? Magnetic, hypnotic and incredible. She held 92,000 people in the palm of her hand, effortlessly, for 3 and a half hours. I was blown away by her talent, polish and professionalism. She made everyone feel welcome and special – I have never seen anyone come close to her in terms of charismatic stage presence.
So, we finally saw Taylor Swift and the Eras Tour, and it was worth all the anxiety and sleepless nights trying to finally get there. For one Swifty – Mollie – it was the best night of her life, and watching her joy throughout that evening, it came pretty damn close for me as well.
And for me? I may not have been a Swifty before, but I am definitely and unquestionably one now!
