A Taylor Swift Review From Across the Pond
It's always hard to know if someone who is popular in one country will be that popular in another country. But as you can imagine, Taylor Swift had no problem finding her way into the hearts of London. In a review of her recent show at Wembley Arena on Monday night (Nov. 23) for 12,500 fans, the story says, "her adoring audience scream for nigh on ten minutes" and that the "two-hour show is impressive, high-energy stuff -- full of costume changes, set pieces and dance routines." So it sounds just like a review from one of her many shows right here in America. The most insightful part of it, though, is when the writer calls Swift the very opposite of a diva: self-made, grateful, unpretentious and hardworking. "She's every young girl's best friend, and judging by the noise they're making tonight, Swift's got a fair few friends to her name." Swift heads to Australia in February for a string of seven tour dates, and I have a feeling the reviews will be just as good from Down Under.
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Fearless will be #1 in 2009 says:
Taylor Swift… “playing a customised guitar with remarkable skill”
Taylor’s ability to play guitar and piano…as well as write her own songs…is unusual in this world of highly polished autotuned “singers”, and it is about time that a reviewer praised Taylor for having the ability to leave her band behind and carry the show on her own up in the rafters of these large arenas.
It is only in country music where it is expected that a singer can play guitar, and a few other instruments.
Taylor is the real deal…and she can do it all. The negative posters may point to her sometimes being off key in live performance [if you can hear her voice above the fan screams], but any performance of Taylor Swift is as heartfelt and real as you’ll get in music. That is what country music is all about - not being perfect all the time, but being a real person who puts their whole heart into the music.
TLC says:
She can strum; doesn’t equal to remarkable skill. I bet Miranda Lambert has more skills in guitar playing.
She will be loved in Australia; she won’t be miming like Brit Brit.
Caitlin says:
It was an amazing show. I loved every second of it <3
CountryFan says:
Amazingly awsome show! Taylor is so talented. I can’t wait until she comes back.
lisa says:
I’m a forty-something woman. I’m sick of all the negative remarks about Taylor Swift. In fact this is the only time I’ve replied to one of these things. The comments of she can’t sing, she can’t play a guitar, the way she flips her hair. This is high school stuff. She was bullied in school and now she’s getting bullied again. She is one of the most humble person, appreciative, classy, and very talented young girl. The girl is only 19. Her Mom and Dad should be praised for raising such a fine girl. A good role model for younger kids and god knows there is not many of them. I’ve been to a few concerts in my time and I’ve heard more than one person sing off key. If she isn’t country then half the country singers aren’t either. The old country is out. Just like the world it evolves and changes. They said the same thing about Shania Twain. Look what she did for country. How many entertainers of the years bring their band up and thank them for their work? I’m a Taylor fan for all these reasons. All I have to say is to the bullies, when you can sell out Madison Square Garden in 1 minute, sell millions and millions of albums, and sell out any concert, then you can b*tch.
bobbalynn says:
taylor was also home schooled, daddy has money!!!!
countryiscool says:
Who cares, besides you Eric?
Jaymee says:
Show was absolutely amazing at Wembley Monday night, also big credit to Caitlin, Paul, Grant, Al, Liz, Amos and Mike as Taylor was fantastic but the full show was just amazing! Its really nice for us Brits when we get the opportunities to see the likes of Taylor, Martina McBride, Toby Keith and Sugarland who have popped over to say hi to us all this year! The best part of it though is this time she has been keen to be identified as a COUNTRY star which could be taboo over here as Leann Rimes was keen to be seperatr from Nashville when she used to be over here. This change looks to have gone down really well by perception but Radio 1 (the main national UK radio station) are still a little uneasy about having her on their main playlist which is a shame considering she got the “POP” recognition at your AMA’s and beat out Lady Gaga who is massive over here but she is bringing country to a whole new generation as she is definately seen as a country singer! She is becomming more popular by the day over here with people seing not only how talented as a singer / songwriter and how sweet a girl she is after her donation to Children in Need last week but she is becomming the ultimate role model for young people everywhere so our radio over here are finding it harder and harder to avoid playing her songs. So UK Taylormania will rise even more and more!
However we would definately like Kellie Pickler and Gloriana also next time like you guys get please!
Debra says:
Miranda Lambert has more talent in her little finger than Taylor has in her whole body!!!
WHO CARES??????? says:
I dont need any help! But you can help the taylor fans because they are out of their minds!!!!!!!!!!!!
rascalfan says:
seeing taylor in the uk would of been great. She was amazing when i saw her live. How come when theres any blog about taylor they’re are negative comments from people. Like it or not shes on top of the world.
suckithaters says:
Bobbalynn, honey wake up, she was home schooled AFTER she became famous, and so what her daddy has money, nice to see parents who aren’t mooching off their famous kids. Lisa, your a breathe of fresh air on a taylor story, people love bashing an innocent, hardworking girl who’s not a trainwreck.
D Trotter says:
They certainly do love Taylor in Britain!This review is from Luke Hammond on Taylor’s concert at Manchester, where she performed to 20,000 fans the day after Wembley:
“..summoning Taylor to rise from the structure, all amidst screams of Taylor Swift-mad fans! Brilliant! ….she is cheered for at least ten minutes, constant cheers.” Later, he concludes: “I could have stayed here all night. Fearlessness has been a key to her success and Taylor deserves absolutely all of it.”
In addition to the columnist Alison quoted, another Wembley reviewer from Londonist Music noted:
“..not since the days of the Smash Hits Party have we heard such loud, high-pitched screams as Taylor Swift’s arena gig at Wembley. The arena was packed to the rafters. Could it be that a new generation of music lovers will NOT grow up believing that country music is inherently uncool? From her entrance…to the dramatic finale two hours later, the gig was a non-stop screamathon. Taylor could have easily played several more nights at Wembley.”
Anyone who wants to see YouTube clips from the concerts at Wembley or Manchester can google them, there’s quite a few, and some are quite good. Watching them, I was struck by three things:
1. Even with the amateur recordings and screaming, you can still tell Taylor is singing very well. Methinks the talk of her off-key live singing is a tad exaggerated.
2. This bit of Taylor-mania in England was a bit like watching footage of early Beatlemania in America.
3.Watching these clips, you can’t help be struck, not just by the screaming, but by the CAUSE of it.
Not some half-naked sex machine with a dominance-submission act.
Not even a bunch of hot guys with nice hair.
No, this love fest is for a girl who seems just like themselves, and she loves them right back. It’s for a girl in a simple blue sundress, sitting on a stool, playing her guitar, singing about being 15. It’s for a girl in a flowing red Victorian gown, walking through a swirl of stately ballroom dancers, singing about princesses, just before she herself morphs into a princess in a white wedding dress. The concert isn’t about outrage or edginess, it’s about dignity, gracefulness and class. And people are screaming!
The really awesome thing is not how Taylor made Country cool to the Brits. It’s how she has made being a regular girl with secret wishes, a huge heart, and class into something worth screaming about.
merlefan49 says:
Here is an artist for you all to check out Amber Digby. Listen to her then listen to Taylor and then tell me Taylor is as country as she is?
marie says:
She’s the greatest EVA …..
merlefan49 says:
Can Taylor flat pick on the guitar or does she only strum?
Nashviller says:
she can barely tune it. she strums and fakes it. Keith Urban and Brad Paisley can flat pick and play!!!Now THAT is TALENT AND ENTERTAINMENT~~~ guess what. THEY CAN SING TOO.
timcun says:
I agree with Nashviller. And the fact that she won EOTY over Keith and Brad is unbelievable. I guess by today’s standards you don’t have to have real talent to be an entertainer. You just have to run around the stage and sling your hair around.
Redmaz says:
What’s this? Mainstreamers complaining about Mainstream Pop culture? Could this be true? Actually you are no better than the industry you support.
Redmaz says:
You’re an angry young man, and I’d rather not talk to you. You seem to be a very hateful person. If you care to discuss music that’s fine, otherwise leave me alone. thanks.
Nashviller says:
LOL, you can dish it out but can’t take it. Everyone is onto you, stalker.
Hollywooder says:
Nashviller…You are right, people like Hank Williams and Jonny Cash just strum so Keith and Brad are better. Steve Vai and Joe Satriani can play circles around Keith or Brad but who cares who is best. I would rather listen to Keith and Brad play. I would rather listen to Taylor sing. Music should not be a contest.
Redmaz says:
…You’re right nashviller, I can’t take it. Ignorance is something I make a point of avoiding, and if everyone were on to me they would know about basic music fundamentals and genre description. They would also know about today’s Americana/Roots Music. There would be so much more they would know about music if they were on to me, and I don’t see that being the case. You are an example of this.
Nashviller says:
doesnt matter timmy, I’m straight.
sarah says:
what’s up with asking the gender of the bloggers in this blog?!?!?
Russell says:
Wembley show was amazing last Monday, Taylor needs to go home and tell both Keith and Carrie to follow suit and get over here very soon!….they’ve got plenty of fans across the pond! Lets hope for more in 2010!!
Eric says:
Just accept the fact we’re here sarah that’s all I’m saying. It’s all good. Hi Russell how you doing? Talk to me.
countryiscool says:
They’re looking for more boy toys sarah.
Nashviller says:
Taylor fans…typical
Nashviller says:
you need to recruit more taylor fans, bryan.
hotelmotel says:
Gotta say, this is a great thread.
Nashviller says:
hotel, children….e.g. Taylor fans, will play
Katie says:
I feel like a Taylor Swift show would be fun to see. This year I’ve seen a couple concerts. I saw Julianne Hough, Blake Shelton and George Strait and it was awesome, but all George did was pretty much stand there. I love him, but the show was nothing to Dierks Bentley and Brad Paisley, who were incredible and put on a great show. I feel like Taylor would be fun to see.
Also, so what if she doesn’t have the greatest voice, or the best guitar skills, she is still pretty genuine, and I think that’s what people notice first.
And you know what? I’m a 19 year old girl, just like Taylor, and I’ve been a fan of country since I was 12 when there weren’t many songs for someone my age to connect to, so I’m just glad to have at least one person I can fully understand amongst all the other artists I love.
Nashviller says:
Katie hun, don’t waste your money. I’ve seen her live. And I’m sorry if you are under the impression that she in genuine. She is phony and her strings are pulled by marketing strategies.
David Nisbet says:
I travelled down to London from Scotland and it was well worth it. I would put Taylor up there with Dolly as an entertainer, she certainly induced the same kind of wild hysteria as the two times i’ve seen Dolly. Her vocals were perfect throughout, at times I thought even better than on cd especially the really big notes. Have to love how when she was performing in the middle of the audience (which very few Pop acts would dare to do) she walked back to the stage with apparently NO security people around her, hugging some lucky fans as she went.
I can’t believe it’s been a week since the show, i’m still on a high from it, it was just absolutely perfect. The entire audience sung along on every song - man & woman, incase you mistakenly thought it’s only little girls that like her. There were plenty of ‘older’ people there on their own without kids. Really hope she will come back again and hopefully to Glasgow - if she thinks the audience in London & Manchester was wild wait till Scotland gives her a welcome!
Robin says:
Eric - talk about the music and the musicians. This is not a singles/dating blog. You can find those anywhere.
Eric says:
Hi Robin, we’re here to stay. Hope that’s okay;)
S says:
I wish she would go across the pond and stay there.
Robin says:
Eric - you can stay and talk about the music and musicians all you want. As is evident by the above blogs activity, they will eventually delete your inappropriate posts.
No one cares about the other stuff since we’re not on a blog about that. But, you are certainly welcome to comment on the relevant topic.
tsweezyfan says:
All of you who left kind and considerate comments about Taylor thank you. I’m sick and tired off all the negatives. If you don’t like Taylor then don’t read about her. She deserved EOTY and she is the best singer, guitarist, and performer ever! Nashviller shut up and quit reading about Taylor because all that you are doing is making all of us who ARE Taylor Swift fans mad so go blog on Miley or all those other stupid and not-so-talented singers! GO TAYLOR! KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON! LOVE YOU!
Timmy says:
We’re here to stay Robin;)
Beth says:
You go tweezy! Nashviller is jealous because Miley is not on the blog!
D Trotter says:
Nobody takes Nashviller and his petty efforts to blemish Taylor’s talent and accomplishments seriously.
Taylor’s story of how she she made it — DOING IT HER WAY, by dedication and hard work and beieving in herself and her artistic vision — is out there, in print and in Taylor’s own words. Swift is one of the LEAST manipulated successes in the history of country music, calling the shots on virtually everything that has to do with her career. Anybody who can actually contradict her story and prove it could certainly grab a ton of press and TV coverage, but nobody has. Not even Nashviller.
Christine says:
I like Taylor, but not that much like I used to. I thought her first album was the best. It was more country and unique. I only like her today is because of her songwriting skills. I relate to her music. I like her less at the moment then I used to is because she has become more of a pop star. She keeps on winning awards she does not deserve and she does not have an amazing voice. I wish she would not hang around with the Hollywood lifestyle also. Everyone says that her and Carrie get all the attention. In my opinion, it is only her that is getting all the attention. How many times did they show her in the audience at the CMA’s? Hello! There are other artists in the audience also. I miss her old self from when she first became famous with “Tim McGraw”. Now she is kind of getting on my nerves and all her music sounds the same a little. No offense to Taylor. I like her, but not like I used to.
Carrie Underwood sounds more country than her and has a better voice. Her music is more unique. Carrie Underwood will always be my #1.
Nashviller says:
sorry david that you are so sheltered that you honestly think she can sing.
S says:
David said the entire audience was singing along with her. Maybe that’s why she sounded good … because the audience was drowning her out.
D Trotter says:
Nashviller, there’s no reason to be rude to someone who disagrees with you. David SAW her in concert last week, and liked what he heard, so I guess his opinion is AT LEAST as relevant as yours.
Lest we forget, Taylor is the AMA’s EOTY AND the favorite Female VOCALIST of the Year, so apparently MILLIONS of people DO love her singing and her songs. Nobody BOUGHT the award, she earned it with hard work and integrity and her ability to touch people’s hearts. And everywhere she goes — the USA, England, Australia — it’s the same reaction. Taylor keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger, and you can’t stop her. You just start to sound more and more desperate and out of touch.
Meanwhile, everybody who DOESN’T hide behind blogs, just raves about her. Did you see what Tim and Faith said? Reba? Brad P.? SNL’s Bill Hader? Timberlake and Timberland? John Mayer? Nicole Kidman? The list goes on and on. Then there’s you, Nashviller, and your buddy, “S”. Good luck.
Swilly says:
Someone must have left the birdseed bag open, because there are certainly a lot of pidgeons around here. Once again…I’m lisa, and you’ve been had.
Sally says:
“Big Kenny” of Big and Rich has a saying, “If you don’t have anything good to
say, then there’s nothing left to say.” Amen. If I was voting for the big
awards and I looked at Taylor Swift’s considerable accomplishments, I would
be happily voting for her. She deserves everything she’s received. And when someone performs and the crowd sings every word with them, that, in itself,
is an indicator. No, Taylor isn’t the greatest singer, though on some songs,
she is perfection, such as Love Story, truly a masterpiece. She is a superb writer and I am dazzled by the songs on Fearless. One of the best albums I’ve ever heard and I’ve heard a lot of music. I am past 70.
amateur antennas says:
Happy New Year 2011 The rest of you: just eat.
JASMINE_THURMAN says:
Okay so I have no idea who yall are but I am guessing that any of you that said that rude stuff probably are the bullies at your high school! yes i know that i am a little late on this posts but you will get over it! now back to what i was saying, if yall know what it feels like to be bullied then you wouldnt be picking on taylor!!!! she is a very smart and talented girl! and not many people are like her! dod you know that ON HER BIRTHDAY she donated 250,000 dollars to the US education school system! yeah i bet none of you would ever think of doing that! so now all of you rude people out there can go find something better to do with your lives!!!
i love you taylor!