Taylor Swift at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool.

By Soph Ditchfield.

Are you ready for it?

I can guarantee you, I was not. This was the furthest thing from my scene but I entered Anfield, Taylor’s fortress for the next 3 nights, with an open mind and was not the slightest bit disappointed.

Photo credits to TAS Rights Management

As someone who is heavily involved in the alternative scene, Paramore warmed us up for the evening ahead and had me feeling a little more like I belonged in the sea of Swifties down on the pitch. Hayley entered the stage giddy as a child, exclaiming that they hadn’t been to Liverpool in a long time, it had been even longer since I had seen them and was excited for their set.

Despite Paramore’s music being so different in contrast to the reason we were all there, the crowd was excitable and responsive to the band’s performance. Personally, I’d find it hard to sit still in the same room as their unbelievable presence and series of hit tracks. The band continued to stun with their tight connection, high spirits and Hayley’s godly vocals.

While the energy levels were crazy, I felt it unfortunately dwindled as they ended their set with This Is Why, nonetheless I was still blown away and was over the moon to see them again.

The crowd around me bounced in anticipation as the pre-set playlist continued on after Paramore’s exit, growing restless, they were more than ready for the coveted event to truly begin. As mentioned previously, this was the furthest thing from my usual haunt, but the excitement was palpable and impossible to not share in.

Volume levels continued to reach new heights in the audience as we waited and I could easily guess what was coming next.

Taylor’s entrance had a couple of hurdles to overcome due to the Merseyside wind and the performers grappling with their parachute type props up onstage but this was no match for the enthusiasm of the crowd, who only grew more and more frenzied.

Our patience was rewarded as Swift took to the stage and brought the house down for the first time of the night. She began the evening by taking us through the romantics of the Lover era, stunning in a dazzling pink bodysuit.

With over 3 hours of true, extraordinary mastery ahead of us, this was only the beginning of what was to come because Taylor knows how to entertain and was ready to sweep us along for the ride.

She made it her mission in the first couple of segments to let us know that the enormity of this mammoth tour had not been lost on her, revealing that the all-time attendance record for Anfield Stadium had been broken and not only that but it was also the 100th show of The Eras Tour, making it all the more special.

“That blows my mind - that doesn’t feel like a real statistic to me!” She grinned at us. “You and I are going on a grand adventure together.”

The night continued on with no details being spared. Outfits that matched the eras, intricate set pieces and pin-sharp choreography from the diverse group of performers that joined her on stage. The light up bracelets played a large part in keeping the ambience so immersive as the evening sky grew darker and the sun set. Synced to the tracks and special lyrics, it had many of us gazing around in childlike wonder.

It was the most spectacular display I’ve possibly ever seen, like watching a film, except Taylor couldn’t help but break the fourth wall to interact with her favourite people, us.

She showered us with hits from each era of her 18 year career, from Fearless and Love Story, to her evolution into pop with 22 and We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together from Red, to her resurrection with Reputation and the toe-tappers Style and Shake It Off from 1989.

And finally bringing us up to date with her newly added Tortured Poets era, in which Taylor had the whole crowd behind her screaming along to the heartbreaking bridge of The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived. The refined choreography and impeccable production of the newest era made it difficult to believe it hadn’t been a part of the tour all along.

Before reaching the final era, Taylor treated us to her famous acoustic surprise songs set, in which she typically mashes up 4 songs as her parting gift to us. Beginning on her acoustic guitar she expertly mixed I Can See You with Mine. She then goes on to deliver Cornelia Street with Midnight’s Maroon, of which has been one of several show’s surprise songs across the tour.

Other than the sore feet, I wouldn’t have noticed time passing until we had reached the final era of the night, Midnights, where Swift made sure to leave us on a high of bright colours, dazzling sparkles and the explosion of fireworks still repeating beneath our eyelids.  She kept us dancing right up until the very end, just as she was.

Unlike any other show I’ve been to, of which there have been MANY, this blew my mind and I can’t imagine the prep that must go into a production so intricate. I’m unsure how Taylor will ever top this, but from what I know of her, I am definitely sure she will find a way.

I think the main thing I must confess after my time at The Eras Tour, is that I have been converted. I am a Swiftie.