T.S 1989

From IG polaroid clues, to secret sessions and to 1989 fans who had the privilege to listen to the album for the first time down to the release of the Shake It Off music video and album launch at the Empire State Building - Taylor Swift fashionably and successfully released her 5th album - 1989. It was her "first documented official pop album." Following the success the first single Shake It Off was the announcement of the 1989 World Tour.  

"The 1989 World Tour is coming to Singapore!"

These were music to my ears. So come June 26th, thanks to AMEX; we managed to score priority tickets to the 1989 tour. Though it was 5 months prior to the event and the ticket emptied my wallet, I knew the concert will be worth every $$$.

And I am a still a bit hung over from the musical event. It felt surreal to see Taylor again for the second time. My inner fan girl was activated and I am positively sure I did look like my 17-yrd old self screaming and belting my tonsils out to each song. I'm sure you would like to know the deets and sneak peek of what happened last November 8th , so here's a little rundown for you Swifties!

We made it just in time to take a few photos of the pre-show. There were a lot of people queuing up to buy the merchandise and to have their photo taken at the Cornetto photoboot. There were kids dressed in Christmas lights and all sort of LEDs. Some were even dressed in 1989 inspired ensembles while others were roaming around with their banners and placards catching everyone's attention. Energy was high and you can sense the excitement from everyone.The stadium was packed. It was rather amazing and in fact a showcase of how much Singapore adore Taylor. The 2-day concert tour was sold out months before and there were even those who purposely traveled from different countries just to see her perform.

By 8:10 pm, the lights went out and the backdrop streamlined as " New York". Taylor appeared in a leather skater skirt with cut out top and a sequined jacket opening the show with Welcome to New York. This was followed with the upbeat, "New Romantics" , Taylor even said she's been to Singapore several times and she's always mesmerized by its beauty.Blank Space was a sure crowd favorite . Taylor used a metal rod to hit a pole situated in the middle of the runway and looped her saying "Singapore" into the backing track. A different arrangement all together and the crowd was more enthusiastic this time.The lights went dim and our LED bracelets were lit in blue. Tay played I Knew You Were Trouble in a sultry, rock indie version reflecting the song's dark vibe. This was followed by I Wish You Would. While performing these songs, she expressed her gratitude to the people who welcomed 1989 to their lives and for choosing to party with her on a Sunday night. I was thinking, this is by far the best Sunday night ever.

How You Get the Girl was performed with Taytay dressed in pink co-ords ensemble which lights up and changes color. It was a good production with her danced armed with translucent umbrellas that lit up to match her dress, dancing around.

Tay walked to the edge of the loft and was helped to a harness. She began to explain that even though we may live in countries which are far apart, we are now in one place singing same songs which means that we face same insecurities and doubts . This makes her feel that we're not separated by distance at all.

Taylor has touched so many lives with her lyrics. In between her songs she would throw in some thoughts about how our worth should not be dependent on how people perceive us. That if we figure out how we look at the mirror and not see those insults or those criticisms; we can start living our life not based on those things. In that moment, you're clean. Smooth transition to Clean. That is my song!!!

It felt nostalgic hearing her play Love Story, her first ever number one international song. Tay was 17 when she wrote this on her bedroom floor and as what you might have guessed; the rest is history.

Truly a woman of Style, Tay performed this catchy song with her dancers in cropped blue suits and back up singers in pitch black gowns.In between costume change, there were pre-recorded video tapes of Taylor Swift's squad. Selena Gomez, Karlie Kloss, Jamie King, Haim, Abigail nd Cara Delevingne talked about the album, bonding sessions and how great Taylor is as a friend. Did I mention they are the ultimate #squadgoals?

Perfect combo I must say as the stage transitioned to an action packed spy film and Taylor performed Bad Blood and rock version of We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.To slow things down a bit, Taylor positioned in front of her piano wearing a long gown while playing Enchanted. It was dreamy and fairy tale like experience. She looked stunning in the blue dress.

I was really hoping she'd perform the acoustic version of Out of the Woods but the original arrangement did not disappoint. 

And what better way to end the concert but with a positive vibe. Taylor rocked the stage with Shake It Off in her silver glittery shimmery outfit to end off the night. She danced fearlessly in the moving propeller along with her dancers. I didn't want the night to end but it sure did with a bang. Shake it Off was the very first single released from her pop album and took 1989 to pop charts.

Borrowing words from Rolling Stone, 1989 is "Deeply weird, feverishly emotional, wildly enthusiastic, the album sounds exactly like Taylor Swift, even when it sounds like nothing she's ever tried before.

1989 is indeed curated from Taytay's experience over the past 2 years -the heartbreaks, lessons on friendship, adventures, phenomenal success  to embracing her own persona and moving to a genre which has been calling her for years now. As with Swift's previous albums, each song on the standard album is accompanied by a short "secret message", encoded in capitalized or decapitalized letters within the album's lyric book:

We begin our story in New York. There once was a girl known by everyone and no one. Her heart belonged to someone who couldn't stay. They loved each other recklessly. They paid the price. She danced to forget him. He drove past her street each night. She made friends and enemies. He only saw her in his dreams. Then one day he came back. Timing is a funny thing. And everyone was watching. She lost him but she found herself and somehow that was everything.

Setlist for November 8th 

1. Welcome to New York

2. New Romantics

3. Blank Space

4. I Knew You Were Trouble (Remix)

5. I Wish You Would

6. How You Get the Girl

7. I Know Places

8. You are in Love(Acoustic)

9. Clean

10. Love Story (1989 Remix)

11. Style

12. Bad Blood

13. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Rock Remix)

14. Enchanted/Wildest Dreams

15. Out of the Woods

16. Shake It Off

♥♥,
Jhesy