It’s me, hi, I’m the Swiftie, it’s me.
As a 50-something woman who loves the music of Taylor Swift, I resisted the label, despite my daughters pressing for an admission (and gifting me a “F–k the patriarchy” key chain and “All Too Well” tissue packs).
But the evidence is airtight.
Are you ready for it?
I’m flying to the UK on Thursday night to see Taylor Swift on Saturday. When I land at Heathrow, it’s so long, London, and hello, Liverpool.
Look what you made me do, Ticketmaster U.S. (I’m sure you remember the ticket debacle, er, all too well.)
Waitlisted for tickets here, and left empty-handed, I eyed Europe. Specifically, Anfield Stadium in Liverpool. Yes, Liverpool. Birthplace of the Beatles!
I was pumped for the ticket sale last July. It was go time for show time. About five minutes into the ticket-buying-trying process, I hit a roadblock. (I am no bot!) A colleague worked tirelessly on my behalf, making my wildest dreams come true. (You know what I mean, Swifties.) I landed a ticket to the June 15 show!
The Ready For It Package comes with some goodies and a ticket on the pitch … a standing ticket. It cost 308.10 pounds ($404.50).
I hope I have the stamina to stand for a three-hour-plus show. (Maybe I should have trained for this?) A friend said simply watching Taylor’s concert special on Disney+ exhausted her.
My daughters asked early on which “Era” I’m going as. (It’s the Eras Tour, after all.) That’d be the “Geriatric Era,” I’ve said, eliciting an occasional laugh. Maybe the younger Swifties surrounding me on the pitch will adopt me as sort of a class mom and help prop me up if I start to crumple after hours on my feet.
Saturday’s forecast calls for temperatures in the high 50s and a 70% chance of rain. I was going to wear a … cardigan, but instead have opted for a flannel shirt in a feeble attempt to mirror the “Evermore” album cover. (“Will you have someone braid your hair?” my daughters have asked. Maybe?)
Why “Evermore”? It’s going to be darn chilly, so flannel (and layers) seems in order, with cute boots, of course. And I just don’t fancy the thought of getting bejeweled. Also, “Evermore” and “Folklore” felt like a warm hug during the pandemic, so we’re tight.
As flight check-in approaches, it’s hard to believe this journey started almost a year ago. So excited to be traveling all the way from “Florida!!!” to see Taylor Swift.
I plan to take the moment and taste it. All the moments.
My flight to Heathrow is a little over nine hours, but it should go quickly. I’ll be making friendship bracelets.
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