Taylor Swift Review | Minnesota | 2015-9-11

I went to Taylor Swift's show on Friday night (9/11/2015) and I didn't really know what to expect. I knew Vance Joy was opening and it was cool to see him again since I interviewed him when he dropped by Studio C.



I knew I was going to hear Swift's hits I have heard a million times while at work, and I knew it was going to be a big show. It's probably the biggest show I have ever been to. The only thing I can think of that compares is the Vans Warped Tour. All those bands, all those buses, all those stages, all those locations, and all those moving pieces. But comparing the Vans Warped Tour and Taylor Swift's 1989 Tour is not a good comparison. I grew up on punk and metal music, so I haven't ever been to a massive pop show. I'm used to going to intimate club shows where most of the people are there strictly for the music. I did not go into Taylor Swift's show with this mindset, and I'm glad I didn't because it would've been the incorrect approach. I went for the spectacle, the experience, and to witness the production value that I could never get at a 200 person show.

I grew up listening to small rock bands so I haven't been to a lot of massive arena shows. This might actually be the biggest show I've ever attended (Maybe the Warped Tour can compete with their logistical chaos). Bring it on, @TaylorSwift. #Cities97Taylor #1989

A photo posted by Min Lee (@minlee2) on Sep 11, 2015 at 4:17pm PDT

 I was pretty much amazed right away. Everyone at the show received a wristband that would light up in sync with the music at the show. These wristbands were taped to the back of every seat at the Xcel Energy Center. That means before we were all admitted, a group of people walked around the arena and taped these wrist bands to all 17,000 seats. My pal and I wore our wristbands proudly the entire weekend.

One more @TaylorSwift post. I plan on writing a full review on my blog later. This is the biggest show I've ever been to and I had a great time. I went for the experience, not the music, and it was so cool to see all the moving pieces. Things I would never see at a club show. Some of the coolest people in my life I have met because of my job, and I also get to experience things like this. I'm very lucky. #Cities97Taylor #1989

A video posted by Min Lee (@minlee2) on Sep 12, 2015 at 10:31am PDT

Looking back, I still prefer going to intimate shows, but I don't see how anyone could be disappointed attending a stop on the 1989 Tour. Taylor clearly has mastered working the crowd. She can get you to leave your feet when she wants, and she can slow it down and tell a story and connect when she wants. She had pre-recorded transitions that featured other celebrities, there is a moving stage, there are lasers, and so many other production pieces you can see moving around in sync if you are able to calm your inner teenager and watch the show with an objective eye. But the 1 thing we cannot replicate at an intimate club show that I wish we could is the energy. I don't even mean the energy Taylor pours out, although she does exert a lot of energy into her well choreographed 1.5 hour show. I just mean the energy in the building in general. My ears literally rang from the screaming girls, the arena was lit from the flash of cameras, and minus a few disgruntled parents, everyone was into it. I don't think I could sit through all pop shows, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Taylor Swift's 1989 Tour.

CHVRCHES Review | Minnesota Show | 2015-10-10

I had a very adventurous and fun weekend, but I will spare you the details as the weekend was much more “adventurous” in person than it is on paper. Let’s just say we utilized Craig’s List in the best way possible and met some cool people. The reason I bring up my weekend is because I attended the CHVRCHES show and I wanted to share my experiences with people who weren’t able to attend the show. I am a fan of the band, and I have enjoyed both their debut album (The Bones Of What You Believe) and their recent release (Every Open Eye).

  

However, I’ve seen videos of their live performance and I very much thought they are a better studio band. They didn’t seem to dominate the stage like bands I have enjoyed seeing live in the past. They are also at a disadvantage since they are locked behind their computers and other devices. This was a case of YouTube videos not being able to capture the actual “energy” of a live show.

I saw @CHVRCHES last night at Myth. I've been digging their new album and it was fun to see them live.

A video posted by Min Lee (@minlee2) on Oct 11, 2015 at 7:40pm PDT

They are a much better live band than I had given them credit for. They obviously have a very cool synth sound and their stage matches what they are trying to accomplish. They have a bunch of big lights and even their gear is set up behind a neat little package. Frontlady, Lauren Mayberry, does a good job moving from song to song while breaking the show up with a few cool stories in between.

Myth was packed last night for @CHVRCHES. Despite the number of people, the crowd was actually kinda dead.

A video posted by Min Lee (@minlee2) on Oct 11, 2015 at 10:08pm PDT

Even when listening to their albums, you understand that Mayberry isn’t trying to challenge Mariah Carey on range. She gets what works and she does it very well. She brings that exact same sound to her live performance. With a band like CHVRCHES, you have to appreciate the entire package when seeing them in concert. You aren’t going to be blown away by their stage presence, you aren’t going to leave feeling like your life has changed, but between the songs, the lights, and a solid performance, you’ll leave very happy.

 

My biggest disappointment of the night has nothing to do with the band. Myth was completely packed, but the crowd was dead. I went with a few people and we wanted to cut-a-rug, but our energy was drained by how dead the people around us were. It wasn’t until the show was about 75% over that people started really getting into it. This could be a case of their new album being too new since “Every Open Eye” came out at the end of September. Either way, if you’re a fan of the band and you missed this show, make sure you go next time they’re in town.