Topic: Taylor Swift

[disgraced cake]

Is it really true they can block out crowd noise while not affecting what you hear of the performance? Just seems like that'd be a hard thing to do.

What did everyone make of it for noise levels? I have to say there was a couple of moments I think were just about the loudest I'd ever heard the ground. Not that it wasn't enjoyable ... it was just really fucking loud, can't particularly remember which parts of the set though 

[Oh Campione]

Is it really true they can block out crowd noise while not affecting what you hear of the performance? Just seems like that'd be a hard thing to do.

What did everyone make of it for noise levels? I have to say there was a couple of moments I think were just about the loudest I'd ever heard the ground. Not that it wasn't enjoyable ... it was just really fucking loud, can't particularly remember which parts of the set though 

I have ear plugs for gigs that just take off 20db or there abouts - you can still hear the show perfectly fine.  I was at the Saturday Anfield show and thought it sounded great for a stdium show, didn't wear my ear plugs usually save them for something I know will be loud (MBV, Mogwai that sort of thing)

[classycarra]

I have ear plugs for gigs that just take off 20db or there abouts - you can still hear the show perfectly fine.  I was at the Saturday Anfield show and thought it sounded great for a stdium show, didn't wear my ear plugs usually save them for something I know will be loud (MBV, Mogwai that sort of thing)

would you recommend them mate? what're they called? (cheers in advance!)

[Oh Campione]

Yeah, I'd say so - they only cost £25

They are made by Fender and called Pro hi-fi plugs

https://www.fender.com/en-GB/accessories/miscellaneous/professional-hi-fi-ear-plugs/0990544000.html

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

 Night 1 at Wembley was brilliant - my dream surprise song has been The Black Dog and we got it last night… absolutely chuffed! Hits Different x Death By A Thousand Cuts on guitar then Black Dog x Come Back Be Here x Maroon on piano… spoiled!

Had decent seats last night but it made me appreciate standing at Anfield 100 times more in terms of seeing her up close. Seats are great for the view of the whole show but that Wembley pitch is massive… people had their backs to the stage watching the screen at the back of the stand at one stage!

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

Also, some positive Taylor stuff - I’m sure most of you will have seen in the Echo but she continues to donate to local foodbanks in each city she plays. It doesn’t get as much attention as everything else she does but nice for Liverpool to continue to feel the impact of her visit for a while longer.

https://xcancel.com/standrewslive/status/1804156810930147811?s=46&t=UAZDiWA1J6LD04mxmvB0lQ

https://xcancel.com/livechonews/status/1803852363918098846?s=12

[duvva 💅]

Ah Maroon is one of my favourites off Midnights. Sounds like you had a great time again, but also glad we saw her at Anfield rather than Wembley.

As you say the ability to get close up the smaller standing area afforded made a stadium show feel more intimate.

[smicer07]

Sorry for the stupid question but my wife is going to see Pink tomorrow, she's in the Kop for it. She just asked does the Kop get the sun in the evening and I can't for the life of me think if it does. I've said no based on memory??

[John C]

Sorry for the stupid question but my wife is going to see Pink tomorrow, she's in the Kop for it. She just asked does the Kop get the sun in the evening and I can't for the life of me think if it does. I've said no based on memory??

No, the sun is always behind the Kop mate.

[smicer07]

No, the sun is always behind the Kop mate.

Thought so. Cheers!

[Terry de Niro]

Sorry for the stupid question but my wife is going to see Pink tomorrow, she's in the Kop for it. She just asked does the Kop get the sun in the evening and I can't for the life of me think if it does. I've said no based on memory??

Tell her she will be on the Kop.
Always one the Kop. 

[Timbo's Goals]

Tell her she will be on the Kop.
Always one the Kop. 

Surprises me that Terry lad cos we always used to say "in the kop". For example in answer to where we're yer? it'd be "in the kop". I think you go as far back as me so maybe it varied amongst different groups of mates. 

[Timbo's Goals]

Deffo politically sound this girl   

You stick to your guns girl

https://youtu.be/BDMwCGdKeCQ?si=TDGlGamHlwdXj_KX

[killer-heels]

Deffo politically sound this girl   

You stick to your guns girl

https://youtu.be/BDMwCGdKeCQ?si=TDGlGamHlwdXj_KX

I never get why some celebrities (or in this case her parents) worry about this stuff. Its not like a celebrity like Swift just walks around her local Tesco to pick up some Malted Milk’s that she is then exposed to people having a go at her? And even then its not like people say stuff against their political beliefs on the street anyway.

[Lisan Al Gaib]

I never get why some celebrities (or in this case her parents) worry about this stuff. Its not like a celebrity like Swift just walks around her local Tesco to pick up some Malted Milk’s that she is then exposed to people having a go at her? And even then its not like people say stuff against their political beliefs on the street anyway.

Its because they don't want to offend their fans, who will then stop listening or buying their music/tickets to their tours and then their career will be over

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

Its because they don't want to offend their fans, who will then stop listening or buying their music/tickets to their tours and then their career will be over

Definitely this is what her team were getting at.

Her parents seemed more concerned with her safety. Taylor herself got quite animated when referring to stalkers because it’s something she experiences. She has had someone break into her apartment and sleep in her bed. I think their concerns are what if one of them went further - a headcase with a gun. I think her team do a decent job of keeping those kind of stories out of the news, perhaps don’t want to alert people to security breaches or that, but stories pop up now and again with stalkers. I can understand their concern in that sense - she is out and about.

[killer-heels]

Its because they don't want to offend their fans, who will then stop listening or buying their music/tickets to their tours and then their career will be over

How many fans is that likely to be? Also her fan base is hardly going to be filled with the sorts of people who take this to heart.

[Lisan Al Gaib]

How many fans is that likely to be? Also her fan base is hardly going to be filled with the sorts of people who take this to heart.

Haha are you sure? Have you seen the way they've reacted to a Dave Grohl comment the other day?!

[Schmarn]

America is full of nuts, many of whom have guns. Once you speak out against Trump you’re a target. Of course she has a lot of protection but it just takes one at a concert.

Not to mention the online vitriol. Below the line comments on even our right wing media sites like the Mail and Telegraph are full of the most disgusting, vitriolic bile. It’s worse in the US. Far easier to keep your head down, be the all American princess and stick to cliches. I think she deserves credit for speaking out. I wish more people in positions of power in the US would.

[Schmidt]

Haven't quite a lot of celebrities spoken out against Trump?

[Terry de Niro]

Haven't quite a lot of celebrities spoken out against Trump?

De Niro loves him. 

[Schmidt]

De Niro loves him. 

Trump is his favourite punk.

[Terry de Niro]

Trump is his favourite punk.

Most definitely.

[Rhi]

I genuinely looked into those Loop earplugs for the show - lots of people were recommending them to enhance the experience, as it drowns out some of the crowd noise and amplifies the singers voice for you to hear/experience.

I am deaf in one ear - about 13% hearing the last time it was checked, so I am getting to an age (not even 40 yet lol) where I worry about my other ear - thankfully it's perfect, but I did consider these and to be honest I still am for my remaining shows.

https://www.loopearplugs.com/products/experience

The reviews are brilliant and don't take away from the experience at all.

Ear defenders are different and necessary for those who need them. These plugs are a choice and to be honest, feel like a smart one.

A bit late, but just wanted to add to this. We went to Taylor Swift at Anfield (fantastic, obviously) and my partner really struggled with sensitivity to the crowd noise. The next day I did some research and decided to buy these Loop earplugs. We bought one of the Quiet ones and one of the Experience ones. A few days later they arrived, and a couple of days after that, we ended up last minute deciding to go to see Bryan Adams in Llangollen, so we took the Loop earplugs with us.

I was super skeptical before-hand, and I genuinely thought there's no way they would work. I was AMAZED at the result. The Experience ones literally drown out the crowd noise but not the music itself. My partner was talking to me, right next to me, and I couldn't hear her. We were swapping the plugs and figuring out whether the Quiet or the Experience were best and at one point I only had one ear plug in. I went out of the tent to the toilet and the ear that didn't have the plug in was ringing and numb while the other was fine.

If you're worried about these being a social media craze, well, they might be, but they honestly do work. I'm going to get another pair of Experience ones for going to the match. I'd never thought about the effect of crowd noise before, but my Dad has been hard of hearing for years and now has Alzheimer's disease, and the two things are highly correlated, so if I can spend £30 to have even a marginal protection of my ears, why wouldn't I?

Just thought I'd post that in case anyone isn't sure about taking the plunge on these.

[Lisan Al Gaib]

A bit late, but just wanted to add to this. We went to Taylor Swift at Anfield (fantastic, obviously) and my partner really struggled with sensitivity to the crowd noise. The next day I did some research and decided to buy these Loop earplugs. We bought one of the Quiet ones and one of the Experience ones. A few days later they arrived, and a couple of days after that, we ended up last minute deciding to go to see Bryan Adams in Llangollen, so we took the Loop earplugs with us.

I was super skeptical before-hand, and I genuinely thought there's no way they would work. I was AMAZED at the result. The Experience ones literally drown out the crowd noise but not the music itself. My partner was talking to me, right next to me, and I couldn't hear her. We were swapping the plugs and figuring out whether the Quiet or the Experience were best and at one point I only had one ear plug in. I went out of the tent to the toilet and the ear that didn't have the plug in was ringing and numb while the other was fine.

If you're worried about these being a social media craze, well, they might be, but they honestly do work. I'm going to get another pair of Experience ones for going to the match. I'd never thought about the effect of crowd noise before, but my Dad has been hard of hearing for years and now has Alzheimer's disease, and the two things are highly correlated, so if I can spend £30 to have even a marginal protection of my ears, why wouldn't I?

Just thought I'd post that in case anyone isn't sure about taking the plunge on these.

Thanks for this. Someone I was with at Glastonbury was wearing them too and swears by them now so might take the plunge and get a pair.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

Just thought I'd post that in case anyone isn't sure about taking the plunge on these.

That's incredible - thank you! You have tipped me - I am going to purchase the Experience ones too... the reviews just conclude that it's a sensible thing to do.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

I think I am prepared to die on the hill that this might be her best song... It is definitely the one from TTPD that I think struck me the most. Her ability to take a theme and turn it into a relateable song is why her peers, writers, fans bang the drum about what a great songwriter she is. What a tool that is and what a gift it is.

She introduced Peter Pan into the folklore era and the song Cardigan - when she teased the line 'try to change the ending, Peter losing Wendy' and followed it up with some nods in the corresponding music video. Cardigan the story of young love that died out and was part of a love triangle - Betty and August being the other two songs in the triology told from the perspective of the other two people in the triangle. Ultimately the guy was immature and was chasing two girls at the same time.

Fast-forward to TTPD, an album that depicts a wild 2-week period of her life where she (against a lot of public noise and eye rolling) rekindles a relationship with someone she had been with briefly many years earlier, spent (seemingly) many years wondering what if and finally now getting the chance to explore it, only for it to bomb in the space of a few weeks with him then ghosting her. Now we have that info, a lot of the stuff back in the folklore and evermore era make a lot more sense and strike a different chord.

But the song Peter on TTPD just checks all of my Taylor Swift boxes - stripped back soft vocals... piano... Aaron Dessner producing... sad... wonderful imagery and storytelling... and just great songwriting. And a top, top, classic Taylor Swift bridge.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Mxxswu7V1Us" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Mxxswu7V1Us</a>

There's nothing wasted here - every line telling a part of the story. He came back but he hadn't grown up. So many little references and call backs - on the face of it people will get it, but those who are into her 'lore' or discography get the bonus stuff she has layered in there.

That bridge is absolute killer for me.

And I won't confess that I waited, but I let the lamp burn
As the men masqueraded, I hoped you'd return
With your feet on the ground, tell me all that you'd learned
'Cause love's never lost when perspective is earned
And you said you'd come and get me, but you were twenty-five
And the shelf life of those fantasies has expired
Lost to the "Lost Boys" chapter of your life
Forgive me, Peter, please know that I tried
To hold on (Hold on) to the days (To the days)
When you were mine
But the woman who sits by the window
Has turned out the light

This is straight into my top 5. I don't know if it's my absolute favourite but I think it might be her best song. Maybe. There's a couple on the Anthology I think are right up there - The Prophecy, How Did It End, Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus are 3 that I think are some of the best she has ever done - absolute top tier TS. It's strange as the album is still so new but they are so strong and can sit alongside anything folklore/evermore produced if we are talking about that style of TS.

[Schmarn]

Going to the August 15 Wembley show. I know Paramore is supporting again but are there additional support acts like they had at the Wembley Eras tour concerts in June? Can’t find anything on the internet.

[duvva 💅]

Just announced 5 acts, a different one for each night

[Schmarn]

Just announced 5 acts, a different one for each night

Ta. I’ve got Sofia Isella. Never heard of her so have some homework to do. Raye, Suki Waterhouse and Holly Humberstone are great choices for the other nights.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

Delighted with Raye for closing night for me!

I didn’t want to take anything away from the Southport thread but credit to the Swifties for Southport group who have raised almost £370k for Alder Hay since the tragic attack. ‘Swiftie’ can be a dirty word at times, as people tend to think of the most crazy and worst part of her fanbase but as the adults were on the streets fighting, the young girls were setting this up, raising money and making friendship bracelets and care packages to send to those poor little girls recovering in hospital. I see TS herself had reached out and sent them letters and I’m sure she will do something for all of those families impacted if she hasn’t already.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/swifties-for-southport?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fswifties-for-southport&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

[Schmarn]

Well said Ciara.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Delighted with Raye for closing night for me!

I didn’t want to take anything away from the Southport thread but credit to the Swifties for Southport group who have raised almost £370k for Alder Hay since the tragic attack. ‘Swiftie’ can be a dirty word at times, as people tend to think of the most crazy and worst part of her fanbase but as the adults were on the streets fighting, the young girls were setting this up, raising money and making friendship bracelets and care packages to send to those poor little girls recovering in hospital. I see TS herself had reached out and sent them letters and I’m sure she will do something for all of those families impacted if she hasn’t already.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/swifties-for-southport?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fswifties-for-southport&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

Wow, good on them.

[Crosby Nick]

Delighted with Raye for closing night for me!

I didn’t want to take anything away from the Southport thread but credit to the Swifties for Southport group who have raised almost £370k for Alder Hay since the tragic attack. ‘Swiftie’ can be a dirty word at times, as people tend to think of the most crazy and worst part of her fanbase but as the adults were on the streets fighting, the young girls were setting this up, raising money and making friendship bracelets and care packages to send to those poor little girls recovering in hospital. I see TS herself had reached out and sent them letters and I’m sure she will do something for all of those families impacted if she hasn’t already.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/swifties-for-southport?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fswifties-for-southport&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

Wow, that’s a huge amount. Well done to them.

[Terry de Niro]

Delighted with Raye for closing night for me!

I didn’t want to take anything away from the Southport thread but credit to the Swifties for Southport group who have raised almost £370k for Alder Hay since the tragic attack. ‘Swiftie’ can be a dirty word at times, as people tend to think of the most crazy and worst part of her fanbase but as the adults were on the streets fighting, the young girls were setting this up, raising money and making friendship bracelets and care packages to send to those poor little girls recovering in hospital. I see TS herself had reached out and sent them letters and I’m sure she will do something for all of those families impacted if she hasn’t already.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/swifties-for-southport?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fswifties-for-southport&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

Great stuff.

Lovely to see some positive things happening in the crazy World we are living in.

[ncred]

In less happy news, her three scheduled concerts in Vienna were cancelled after there was concrete information on a planned terrorist attack, and they have already made two arrests.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/07/entertainment/taylor-swift-concert-vienna-arrests/index.html

[Schmarn]

Brave terrorists going after young girls again. Feel very sorry for the kids for whom this would have meant so much.

[thejbs]

Brave terrorists going after young girls again. Feel very sorry for the kids for whom this would have meant so much.

Pretty brave (read: stupid) going after swifties. Mobilising half the world against their cause.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

This is why I have always felt a little uncomfortable criticising her for not speaking out more on Politics and not prepared to throw her under the bus for the private jet usgae (excuse the pun).

She has always encouraged people to vote and that was largely without bias. Then she came out against the Tennessee (Republican) Senator in her documentary, and Trump, then endorsed Biden in 2020 and called out Trump after the Jan 6th riots. I think people always thought it was because she didn't want to alienate her fanbase (there's a bit of that chat in the doc) but I think the underlying issue was always security. I'm not saying the news yesterday is related to any of the plans for ISIS but people of that stature and events that big are targeted.

From what the media are saying, the threat was a credible one and whilst I haven't had a chance to verify this, I believe some of the group are still at large? Hence the cancellations.

Her team does a brilliant job of keeping security incidents out of the main news. I'm not saying she deals with threats like this regularly or anything, but she has (or had) major issues with people stalking her - people breaking into her home and managing to sleep in her bed. This year, I think the same guy was arrested 3 times in 5 days. But you can see when stories like this are published, her team is quick to bury them - there'll be a People article pop up about how happy her and TK are, or rumours will appear of more tour dates - it's like clockwork. And I get why they do it - they can't take the stories down but they can do their best to ensure it's not narrative or a news headline by feeding them something else. This one, is on a different scale.

And then you have the private jet usage/tracking. I think this is further evidence which backs up why her team were so annoyed at those leaks on her tracking. I have said many times in this thread I do think the jet usage is excessive - you see 30 min flights, you see her (or her jet but we make assumption) travelling home between shows instead of staying at the location etc... and part of you thinks maybe it is for security reasons. We don't know every threat, whether its credible or not. Then there is the second jet issue which is a backup but seems to be in use a lot - either for her or maybe friends/family/team. And I dunno... it's hard to comment on when you don't have the whole picture but I would guess there's a lot of flights that have been taken which could have been avoided. I don't begrudge her using them - her being booked onto an American Airlines or Delta would probably leak way before a private jet taking off/touching down would. And then more people are at risk - other innocent people. Definitely without the jets, she isn't doing as many shows.

She has only ever cancelled one show before - in Thailand in 2014, when there was a milatary coup. Any other show she couldn't perform due to weather or circumstance was re-arranged - like Rio on this tour, she had to cancel the Saturday show but played the Monday instead. I think that's insane personally - until this, she had cancelled just 1 show. I think in her lifetime she has performed around 900 shows? This will have hurt her no doubt. I hope she can make it back there.

This week there was a very subtle Kamala endorsement and I think more was on the way. I don't know if this will change any plans she had to endorse Harris/Walz

[afc tukrish]

This week there was a very subtle Kamala endorsement and I think more was on the way. I don't know if this will change any plans she had to endorse Harris/Walz

Ciara, can you share the very subtle endorsement?