It's hard to believe that model-esque 22-year-old Taylor Swift was ever ostracised at school, but if it wasn't for those formative experiences in Pennsylvania, Swift may never have turned to songwriting. And it's clear from the often hysterical 12,000 fans at Vector Arena tonight that her songwriting is perhaps not only cherished, but also needed. Her lyrics reflect the secret diaries and grandest dreams of many a young female, and right from the lavish opening number Sparks Fly, she has the audience screaming in delight.
Sumptuous red curtains open to reveal perhaps the most elaborate staging Vector has seen for a pop show - gilded balconies and staircases, wind machines, aerial artists descending from the ceiling shooting sparks, a 10 piece band and a cast of dancers. And then Swift herself rises through the runway in a haze of smoke. But even though she may have the dream stage show, she's still a pretty endearing dork who clearly loves what she does, and loves her fans.
It's in the little things, like how they all know her favourite number is 13 (which is drawn on her hand each night), or that many of them come with lyrics of her songs written down their arms, that show just how involved Swift's fans are in her world, and she returns the favour by writing songs that are often confessional and deeply personal, and she's happy to share the stories behind them in between songs. She explains that Ours was written for a certain man she was in love with, when no one else thought it was a good idea, and that Last Kiss was written one night in a hotel room while she was reminiscing.
Both these songs are actually performed perched on a large tinfoil tree at the back of the stadium floor area roughly half way through the show, so those fans at the rear can get a little more intimate with her too.
This is after she's done half a lap of the arena, shaking hands with everyone in reach - she does the other half on the way back to the main stage.
