By Tiana Ciaverella
On February 17th, 2024, I had one of the best nights of my life— which sounds cliché but is totally true.
I knew that for most, patiently ticking off their calendars as each month went by became a habit; 6 months turned to 4, turned to 2, and then it was a matter of weeks. But for me those months beforehand consisted of crying, frantically opening up Ticketek Marketplace every few days and considering the dangerous option of potentially buying a second-hand ticket. It was not until that one February afternoon when I was on the bus going home from school when my heart re-emerged from my stomach. And it wasn’t just a fantasy anymore – I could finally say the words. I was going to see Taylor Swift.
The concert approached quickly and I couldn’t contain my excitement. This had been my dream and I felt so grateful for my friends who offered me an extra ticket. I had only three weeks to plan my outfit and memorise every lyric to the set list. The night before the concert, I remember going on FaceTime with my friends as we prepared for Taylor. It felt like Christmas Eve and our biggest present was getting to see our idol.
Then the day arrived— the sun was bright and warm and it was like the clouds parted ways for the occasion. Putting my ‘Miss Americana’ outfit on and pinning my pink tiara in was a surreal feeling. This was happening, and time wasn’t going to stop and let me take it in.
Then we arrived.
The MCG was packed with thousands and thousands of fans who were rushing around to take photos, trade bracelets and film their pre-Taylor TikTok transitions. Then suddenly, the stadium erupted into squeals and sobs as the countdown began— the seconds ticking off on the humongous clock in the middle of the screen. The adrenaline rushing through my body in that moment was indescribable. I felt as if I was exactly where I was meant to be.
And just as quickly as it came, the Eras Tour was over. But I wasn’t sad – because that night, I got to experience something I had never experienced before. Seeing Taylor and her dancers light up the stage will forever be a fond memory for me. I loved watching Taylor recreate her looks from each era and take the audience back in time as she beautifully expressed different chapters in her life through song. The dancers were also just as amazing – emitting rays of positivity to the whole crowd. The musicians, lighting directors and everyone else involved in the production are to be commended for their efforts because the show was nothing short of phenomenal.
And to think none of this would have happened if I hadn’t been sitting on the bus that February afternoon.
