Image Credit: Charles Sykes/AP
After 80 sold-out shows, Taylor Swift wrapped the North American leg of her Speak Now World Tour last night in front of a screaming crowd at Madison Square Garden in New York City. And what a show it was.
After a terrific set by South Carolina rockers NEEDTOBREATHE, whose strong sense of melody make it clear why Ms. “I love a good hook” Swift hand-picked them to open for her, the star of the evening emerged from the stage to lead her massive production. I’ve said it before, but allow me to reiterate: Anyone that doesn’t think Taylor Swift should’ve won Entertainer of the Year at the CMA Awards has never seen her live. That girl is the definition of an entertainer.
Sparks literally flew (courtesy of harnessed, floating dancers) during “Sparks Fly,” twinkling trees shone through a foggy, gazebo’d set during “Enchanted,” fearless dancers dropped out of enormous bells on “Haunted,” and, of course, Taylor donned a ball gown and soared over the audience in a Juliet balcony for her grand “Love Story” finale.
The show is a Cirque-du-Soleil level spectacle, but Taylor has a rare ability to infuse her spectacle with sincerity, and she sounds in fine voice throughout. (She’s definitely singing live, though at times I did suspect a little bit of backing-track assistance.)
Clearly, Swift wanted to make sure she ended the American section of her Speak Now Tour — there are six final dates in March in Australia and New Zealand — with a bang. And because she can’t resist a good cameo, Swift brought out her AMAs dancing partner and BFF Selena Gomez, who sang her hit “Who Says” to a sea of crying tween girls: READ FULL STORY »
