The Eras Tour.

It’s been a long time coming but… It finally happened, and now I’m dealing with the fallouts of that amazing experience. The Eras Tour, in Madrid, the first night. Special concert. The inauguration of the stadium as she was the first singer to perform there since they reformed it, her first night in Madrid since Speak Now Tour, and of course, my first time seeing her live. I’m still heaven struck.

As you know I’m a swiftie, and if you don’t just click here Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift 2.0, Miss Americana. I had been trying to get tickets to see her since I knew she was coming to Europe in June 2023.(Ticketmaster). But I was unsuccessful and I made my peace with only seeing her on the live streaming feeds and videos posted from lucky swifties around the globe. But as time was passing and the dates for European neighbours getting closer (France, Lisbon, and of course Madrid), I was getting actual physical pain from not being able to attend to the venues. At least one, with even shitty seats, I would have been happy enough. Just to experience her in a stadium, the crowds going wild, screaming, dancing and singing with her. No tickets for me, and lots of nights feeling miserable and depressed.

I knew the lyrics, the chants, and the moves, I watched how she changed the setlist in Paris and I got thrilled with thousands of people as she did it. But I was very jealous of all those fans who managed to get tickets to see her. It wasn’t fair. I was miserable, but I couldn’t tell anyone as my friends made fun of me, and still do for having such a crush on her. I am 43 and I should behave like a grown man, and not be thrilled by things like Taylor Swift. The only person who really knew is my fiancé. My mom had to endure in first person how sad I was when I didn’t get tickets for the second date in Madrid, which was added later on and they went on sale for her birthday.  I was at hers for that special date trying to get the codes to buy them. I thought it was a sign of the Universe. But it wasn’t. So I gave up and went home crying.

My fiancé kept telling me to have faith and I would see her sooner or later. Maybe for the next tour or the next leg of her tour in 2025. She was not going to retire any time soon. But I was in pain. And I know about it, except this was something soulcrushing.  I looked on Viagogo, which is a resale website, that had amazingly high prices for her tickets and I thought it was a scam. But some people on the Facebook group I am, told me it was legit, they got tickets to see her in Paris and Stockholm, and it worked. So I gave it a shot. 200€ a seat, up in the skies of the stadium. What should I do? I asked him. He said it was money, but he knew I have been struggling with that concert and maybe I should give it a go. If I could afford it. No I can’t but it’s definitely worth it. Then he said to me to do it, I could see her live, finally and maybe later on, if I enjoyed the experience, with better seatings. I always can go to the concert on Disney for very good visuals. I booked the tickets while my parents were home. My dad helped me pick up better seats than the ones I chose originally, basically as he knew the stadium and told me it was worth spending more money on seats I would not get vertigo on, he was right as we learned once there some people had to swap seats as they were uncomfortable so high in the place. I made the payment. It was done.

The following days were a bit of a scare. I got emails from the resale website confirming the purchase and that I would get the tickets soon. I met people online that had done the same and we were all worried it wouldn’t work because of what I said earlier of the rules of ticketmaster. I tried to think positive but I knew I would only be out of the woods the moment I would get the light bracelet they give you inside the stadium. And it was exactly there when I finally exhaled and was able to enjoy the experience. But I’m going ahead of the story. Once I got the tickets on my account I published it everywhere. I screamed as I got the email saying I could download them to the app. It was such a rush. Now I needed to figure out the outfit, the train tickets and accommodation in Madrid. We thought it would be cheaper than going to see her in Edinburgh or Vienna… It wasn’t.

Train tickets were OK, but the accommodation was not. Hotels increased their prices because of the event. I could have slept on the train station or the airport. Or go out dance all night. Or go with the car and do it in the parking lot. But I am over 40, it is a 3,5h concert, my body needs some resting after all that. So my parents told me to spend a bit more and get some comfortable room. I booked the hotel by the train station. 30 minutes walking distance from the stadium so no need to take the metro, and we would avoid the crowds after the ending of it. 65.000 people going out at the same time would be chaos. I saw it on previous concerts so I chose that.

Friendship bracelets were done. I thought 20 would be enough but maybe I needed more, although I ran out of pearls and letters so I stopped at that number. For the outfit, I wanted to dress for the occasion. It would be my first one of her, so I wanted to be even more special. Not just trousers and t-shirt. I wanted to blend in the community. I knew there were people making them for the last months. And when I saw it it real I could understand it, some costumes were amazing. Truly well done. Lot of hours of preparation. I wanted something simple but also fun to wear. New friends online helped pick up the clothes and accessories. They gave me ideas and encouraged me to do it.

I wanted to make an homage to Madonna, my first and longest artist. But also include Taylor Swift in it. My favourite album being 1989 the white t-shirt and short jeans were mandatory, and my twist of it was the 1981 (Taylor’s Version) on the back. Plus the heartshape glasses were the cherry on the cake. Although we didn’t wear them much. Just for the pictures.

Days passed by, getting closer and closer to the D day. All was planned, but I’m not a Mastermind, so many things were a bit chaotic. Of course I didn’t sleep much that night, how could I? I picked up my plus one to the concert at the airport, went back home to get the last pieces ready, took the dogs to their grandma and then left to the train station. Once in the wagon, I was a bit more relaxed but I was still worried about our tickets not being legit as they didn’t have my name on them. So I would not be sure until the moment they let us in the stadium. We got to Madrid. To the hotel. Some girls were heading out with their friendship bracelets, off to the concert. It was 16:30, doors opened by then but we had allocated seats so there was no rush. The only one was making sure our tickets were OK. I decided we should go ASAP there to check as the tension was killing me. I needed to make sure I was in. We walked all the way to the stadium. It took us around 30 minutes under 39°C. The heat, I didn’t care. The Swifties were packing the streets, buying merch at the official shops on the way to the venue. Maybe later we would have a look, although it was very expensive. We got to the Santiago Bernabeu. Heart raced up. We found our gate, and went through security. Trevor got first but he didn’t have the tickets so he was put aside until I managed to get through too. They scanned them and we were let in. They gave us the light bracelets. Then I knew I was in. The dream would become true. I exhaled.

We got to our seats. In that humongous stadium where 65.000 more swifties were going to go crazy like I was going to. It all went so swiftly. Fortunately I took pictures so I wouldn’t forget. I was afraid of running out of battery, but I was adamant that I would enjoy it and not record everything as I could watch it later on the Internet or at home, but the real thing, the real life experience was there and then. I understood why some artists forbid the use of cameras and cellphones. But having some printed memories is also nice to have. Here are some before the thing stills I took.

Our neighbours were a little girl and her plus one, who was 20. They also bought the tickets from the same place as I did, so thyy had the same name as ours. It was fun to know. And they also were a bit nervous. Fortunately some guys from the Facebook group I’m in told me not to worry. That helped a lot. And I can’t thank them enough. As I am writing this, I’m so grateful for all the people, whether on the Internet or in person who encouraged me to do it. It’s been the best night in my life. I can’t remember having had so much expectations about any other concert. Even the first time I went to see Madonna back in 2001, I didn’t feel that anxiety and happiness once I got there. I don’t think anyone could understand unless they have lived it. I’m still shivering.

Paramore were great. But I was there for Taylor. And when they went off, I knew it was time for the show. No disrespect for them, they did an amazing job. Great sound, vocals and band. But when lady Gaga started singing in the speakers I knew it was going to start. Bracelets on. You Don’t Own Me meant the clock was going to start. And when it did we all screamed. We saw the backup singers and dancers coming to the stage. And then the cart with Taylor inside so she didn’t spoil the outfit before the start. And then the intro started. The amazing dancers with the huge fans. And finally the birth of Venus. And the crows went wild. I went wild. I shouted so high and strong on Cruel Summer. I had been practicing for that bridge for so long I couldn’t believe it. My throat hurt when I screamed the last notes of the second bridge, it still does. But it’s so worth it. No pain.

The three hours of concert went by like a dream come true. I knew most of the songs, I had worked on the setlist since I started watching the Disney version, but some songs are trickier than others, and the new ones were a bitch, because I knew the lyrics of many, but not the ones that were on the tour. Or they got edited. Down Bad is one of my favourites from the album TTPD, there is only the first verse and chorus and then it goes into Fortnight. But it was fun to sing the f word so many times. I danced and sang and screamed and applaud for three hours. Some of the anthems were more fun to play with than others. Some were just the time to catch my breath and move slowly whilst others I just went havoc. Style, for example is the song that I gave everything. Because the album 1989 is so upbeat I ended up shredded, but it was so fun. I remembered about how shy I am and insecure about singing and dancing. But there I just gave up and forgot about everything. It was my moment. So I let go. I cried on Marjorie, I shouted at the standing ovation. We made Taylor stop and blush after Champagne Problems. It felt like it lasted for ten minutes, but according to the media it was only 3 minutes. And her face was so genuine that it made us all happy. I’ve watched it on the media, as I didn’t record it, I had teary eyes while doing it. A memorable moment. We shouted «in the middle of the night, in Madrid» , during … Ready for it? and we still wonder if she noticed it. It was a blast. According to ticketmaster on Instagram, she sang it too on the second night. We made the buzz become real.

I noticed during the show I knew many songs already enough to sing them despite how difficult they are for me. Antihero or Karma, or Bejeweled, or Look What You Made Me Do. I felt so free and happy, I can’t remember when was the last time I have. And when they ask me if I cried, and why not, I just say, because I was so overwhelmed by everything that I just couldn’t. I was heaven struck so hard I could just not believe it and I had to just enjoy the ride. The girls behind me were saying they couldn’t believe they were there, and were guessing that in a few days they would just realise and come out of their shock. I guess I will too. Delicate (1,2,3 let’s go bitch!) and Wildest Dreams were part of the set list, as for cardigan and willow, so it was even more magical since they are part of my favourite list. The buzzing and rumbling of the crowd, the lights, the bracelets, everything was beyond what I expected. Yes, I saw her from very far away, yes, I didn’t take tons of pictures or videos, but they are everywhere now and I got to enjoy every second of the show.

And when it ended, I was so exhausted that I didn’t feel sad. It was so great and the adrenaline rush so intense, I’m still recovering. I’m watching videos and posting pictures or writing this as I still can’t believe I made it through. I went there and came back. I saw her show, I felt all the intensity of it, in person. I will never be the same.

I put the lid back on my light bracelet, Trevor did the same. But many people didn’t, we could see theirs flickering like stars in the night. And then on the way to the hotel, lots of concert goers were walking the streets of Madrid with us, like huge fireflies, blinking in colors, woth their t-shirts, friendship bracelets and other merch. I exchanged a couple of them, but I felt disappointed as I came back with many of the ones I made to trade. I didn’t want to harass people. Being neurodivergent is hard in those kind of situations. I felt I failed.

On the next day, we left the hotel and before going back to the station and going back home, I thought it would be nice to go back to the stadium and see the vibe of the Swifties for day 2 in Madrid. No rush, no stress, we could just enjoy it. So many wonderful and fun outfits, so many people excited as they were going to see her, all that I felt the day before. Still for me it was a bit of a relief, I was on the other side of the tidal wave. Again, no one wanted to trade the bracelets. I felt like a drug dealer trying to get them off of me. We went back to the station and on the train. It should have been called the Swiftie train. As most of the passengers had been to the concert the night before. They were all watching what they recorded, or just sleeping as they were knackered. I traded some more bracelets and I had a very nice conversation with the couple in front of us (we had those 4 seats with table in between). The lad wasn’t a swiftie but she was, and very happy to get my bracelets as no one gave her last night. I kept some of the ones I made and gave away others. We got back to Alicante and still we could see swifties in the streets, on the bus, everywhere. I never thought we would be so many as I have always had trouble finding them. It was a shame we never got closer. I met in Madrid a girl who befriended me on Instagram as she was scared of her tickets being a scam. She was from Benidorm. But that was all.

On the way back home, we listened to Taylor Swift in the car, it felt so odd doing it after having been in the concert. One would think we had enough, we didn’t. It’s never enough. For me now it’s even worse as I want to know more and more lyrics I didn’t learn for the concert. Trevor told me now Taylor is on his N1 ranking of concerts. I’m sorry for Kylie Minogue as we are seeing her in Hyde Park this summer, but she is still our top five. With Pink and Madonna, but the penthouse of our hearts is for Taylor. He also said he would definitely see her again. Even though it was more than three hours concert, it went by in a blink of an eye, like the singer said during one of her speeches. I also discovered that he is also a swiftie, as he knows things only we do, so it made the journey even better. I’m so used to friends and boyfriends to be so judgemental with my musical tastes, I’ve been used to trash talk about Madonna, or Katy Perry, or everyone I liked. This one was so different in so many ways, which proves once again why he is my fiancé and not just another guy.

And just like that I got to live the dream of going to the Eras Tour in Madrid, for her first concert in Spain in 13 years. Hopefully, and as she said, it will never be that long until she comes back again. We also made sure she would remember how the crowds went wild.

29th of May 2024.