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Breaking News: Live updates: ‘Miami! We are back!’ Taylor Swift takes the stage on night 1 of her Eras Tour… See more
The three-and-a-half hour outdoor musical therapy session known as the Eras Tour was a show fans won’t forget in Miami as they experienced several costume changes, throwback songs and a fair bit of rain.
In tongue-in-cheek fashion, Taylor Swift announced her arrival at the Hard Rock Stadium around 11 a.m., ready to kick off the Eras tour again. In a now-viral Instagram post, she strutted around the concert stage holding her Scottish fold cat, Olivia Benson — in homage to her infamous nickname “cat lady.
Hours before fans descended upon Hard Rock Stadium, Miami-Dade Mayor Danielle Levine Cava unexpectedly was the first to kick off the Swift fan craze Friday by declaring October 18 as Taylor Swift Day for the county.
The worries of security mishaps, given the dangerous fan stampede during the Copa America final in July, were quickly alleviated as security personnel ushered fans wearing an assortment of bright and sparkling outfits into the arena.
Fans had crucial questions on their minds: What will the surprise songs be? Will there be an announcement regarding the release of “Reputation: Taylor’s Version”? How long is the merch line? And when is the best time to hit the bathroom during the show, so as not to miss “Enchanted”/”Don’t Blame Me”/”My Tears Ricochet”/whatever your favorite song is?
“I will never forget Friday night Eras Tour Miami,” she said as the rain returns to bathe her as she sings her final song.
What were the surprise songs?
11 p.m. – The surprise songs Taylor Swift performed at Friday nights Eras Tour were not exactly surprising, but they were definitely crowdpleasers.
The acoustic set began with a mashup of “Tim McGraw” from her debut album and “Timeless” from album “Speak Now.” The piano surprise songs blended “This is me trying” from her album folklore with “Daylight” from “Lover.”
Set between “The Tortured Poets Department” and “Midnights” eras, the surprise song set features Swift alone on stage without her band or dancers, singing at least one song on piano and one on guitar. The songs are a topic of much
10:26 p.m. – We have the answer to “Will she sing ‘Florida!!!’” The answer is yes and Taylor brought out surprise guest Florence Welch to sing their power ballad from Tortured Poets Department. After they sang, they didn’t comment on the song but the two hugged and bounded off stage together. The song is about taking a therapeutic journey through Florida after a breakup.
Taylor’s style? A green skirt and orange top sparkly top that pays homage to University of Miami. Well, probably not. But during “Shake It Off” the crowd was illuminated with green and orange lights. It’s literally homecoming.
Swift was impressed by Miami fan’s knowledge of her songs. “The volume you are singing every one of these songs is astonishing,” Swift said in the “Folkore” era, thanking the Miami audience.
9:30 p.m. – Swift debuted a new bodysuit for her “Reputation” era which was black with gold snakes rather than red snakes. She made no mention of when she plans to release “Reputatino: Taylor’s Version.” But maybe the new outfit is a hint at future album art?
9 p.m. – The drizzle started to come down harder about 30 minutes into the show. But that didn’t stop Swift, who debuted a new sparkly silver fringe-hemmed dress for “Fearless.”
Fans started to pull ponchos over their heads, and eventually Swift’s “A lot going on at the moment” T-shirt got soaked.
“I officially declare this a rain show,” Swift said at 8:50 p.m. before thanking her fans for the “joyous celebration“ they have made “my longest tour ever.”
Then she asked if anyone minded if she sang one more song from Red. “If you have like 10 minutes,” she said, as she lit into “All Too Well
8:05 p.m. – After a countdown clock appeared, Taylor Swift took the stage and opened her set with “Miss America & the Heartbreak Kid” wearing an orange body suit.
Swift’s excitement to be back touring in the U.S. was evident. “I get to play a sold out show for 61,000 people in Miami,” Swift said. “Miami! We are so back! That’s right. The way you are treating me is starting to go to my head. You’re making me feel really powerful,” Swift said before “The Man” from Lover era.
“We’ve taken the Eras tour all over the world, and I kept thinking to myself, if this tour had to end because everything must end, let’s go to the most passionate, craziest crowds in the world – Miami, Florida!” said Swift.
7:30 p.m. – Gracie Abrams, daughter of film director JJ Abrams (“Star Trek”), is back opening Eras dates after performing on the European leg.
“I’ve never been more excited for a Taylor Swift show,” Abrams, 25, said as she surveyed the crowd after performing “Cool” from her just released deluxe edition of “The Secret of Us.”
Abrams also sang “Us,” this summer’s tune she co-wrote with Swift, during her almost 40-minute set.
“Thank you, Taylor, if you’re listening backstage,” she said.