Taylor Swift has a new love in her life: Cleveland.
You could see it in the country-pop singer’s wide eyes Saturday night at The Q, where she basked in wave after wave of applause during a sold-out concert.
When she attempted to strum the intro to “White Horse” on her guitar, Swift was interrupted by loud cheers and chants of “TAY-LOR! TAY-LOR! TAY-LOR!”
She bit her lower lip and clutched her heart. “I hope you know that I’m never going to forget that,” said Swift, 19.
Those lucky enough to be there won’t soon forget the performance, either. This is only her first headlining tour, but a radiant Swift established herself as the real deal: a honky-tonking, arena-rocking switch hitter who pours heart and soul into her music.
In contrast to some of the slick product that Nashville cranks out, autobiographical Swift tunes such as “Fifteen” and “Love Story” connected by virtue of not only crowd-pleasing hooks, but a refreshing sincerity.
Swift’s entourage – complete with seven musicians and six dancers – featured one of our own, Paul Sidoti, on guitar and backing vocals. The Strongsville High School graduate (Class of ’89) did us proud, cutting loose with a flashy solo during Swift’s mash-up of her own “You’re Not Sorry” and Justin Timberlake’s “What Goes Around . . . Comes Around.” Sidoti also chimed in with spot-on harmonies throughout the two-hour show. Toward the end, he even worked in a plug for his previous employers by slipping into a Raspberries T-shirt.
Swift herself went through multiple costume changes during the elaborately staged, highly theatrical production. She was dressed like a drum majorette for her opening number, “You Belong with Me,” then morphed from rhinestone cowgirl to fairy-tale princess before our eyes.
She proved to be a hands-on superstar, too. Swift performed “Hey Stephen” on a staircase at the back of the arena, then hopped on a nearby satellite stage for a couple of twangy ballads, including her breakthrough single “Tim McGraw.”
As she made her way through the crowd, Swift hugged countless fans. A few even got a peck on the cheek.
If she hadn’t already endeared herself enough by then, Swift came out for the encore wearing a LeBron James Cavaliers jersey. She was joined by opening acts Gloriana and Kellie Pickler for “I’m Only Me When I’m with You,” while confetti cannons blasted thousands of little paper hearts into the air.
For the grand finale, Swift was drenched by an indoor rain shower at the end of “Should’ve Said No.” Inspired by a two-timing boyfriend, the climactic kiss-off revealed a knack for somebody-done-somebody-wrong songs.
Ditto “Picture to Burn.” It was a pyromaniacal cautionary tale for Swift’s would-be suitors.
“I really do try to be a nice person,” she told the audience. “But if you break my heart . . . then I’m going to have to write a song about you.”
Good thing not everyone treats Swift as well as Cleveland did. What would she sing about then?
SET LIST:
You Belong with Me
Our Song
Tell Me Why
Teardrops on My Guitar
Fearless
Forever & Always
Hey Stephen
Fifteen
Tim McGraw
White Horse
Love Story
The Way I Loved You
You’re Not Sorry/What Goes Around . . . Comes Around
Picture to Burn
ENCORE:
I'm Only Me When I'm with You
Should've Said No