Live Review: Taylor Swift stuns in Liverpool with landmark 100th show of Eras tour

Taylor Swift boasts about setting a new attendance record for the stadium in Liverpool. She expresses her excitement about taking the audience on a musical journey that covers 18 years of her career, one era at a time. Swift announces that the concert-goers are in for a treat as she plans to perform a lot of songs throughout the night.

As soon as she appeared, the crowd erupted in an enthusiastic cheer that echoed throughout Anfield. Months of waiting and days of excited anticipation led up to this moment, and it showed in the various TaySway art installations around Liverpool. The University of Liverpool even created a curriculum inspired by Taylor Swift. Even former Liverpool FC manager Jürgen Klopp returned to the stadium after bidding an emotional farewell. Despite the biting wind and rain, there was an undeniable feeling of excitement in the air. The person at the center of it all couldn't ignore it.

She admits that she can hardly believe that this is the 100th show of the tour; it doesn't seem like a real number to her. It's surprising to hear that this could shock Swift as the Eras Tour has produced countless statistics, being the highest grossing tour ever. A stunning 3.5 hour concert film has captured every aspect of the tour, including each song, costume, neon bike, fan interaction, self-filmed fan reaction, on-stage speech, and review filled with accolades. Regrettably, this creates its own challenge. How can she keep the show exciting when everyone has already consumed it many times on social media?

Before we learn about how Swift tackled the situation, Paramore kicked things off. The band has been effortlessly taking on high-profile arena tours and appearances at music festivals for quite some time now. So, it's no surprise that they easily settled in at Anfield. This is partly due to the star power of Hayley Williams. Whether it's the strength of her vocals, her connection with the audience ("Liverpool, my babies!"), or her cool af jacket with a vintage photo of Taylor Swift emblazoned on the back with the words ‘Feminine Rage’, Williams is a force to be reckoned with. Add in the fact that Paramore's sound is tighter than ever as they perform a string of hits like "Misery Business," "The Only Exception," "Still Into You," "Ain't It Fun," and "This Is Why," and it almost feels like a headlining show. The only thing holding it back is the early time of day and the short set time.

. I can't believe that this is already the 100th show of the tour. It's hard to comprehend that number. To be honest, it doesn't feel like a true statistic to me.

However, the real credit goes to someone else. After Taylor Swift takes the stage, the spectacle that follows is nothing short of exceptional. The audience at Anfield is treated to a strategic masterpiece, as if they were watching a team play. The Eras Tour begins with tracks from Lover and concludes with an array of tracks from Midnights. The events that happen in-between are the closest thing Liverpool has seen to Beatlemania since, well, the Beatles. The crowd is just as much a performer as Taylor, adding to the grandeur of the show with their booming voices and full pageantry. When the audience starts singing together to the bridge de résistance of Cruel Summer, it becomes clear that this moment is the highlight of the night. But this is only two songs in. Later, Shake It Off, Bad Blood, Love Story, 22, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, Look What You Made Me Do, Blank Space, and Anti-Hero produce similar, if not greater, reactions. This is what it's like to experience Anfield (Taylor's Version). Even the security personnel can be seen dancing.

These kinds of songs have the power to lift a crowd to incredible heights, but it also takes skill to bring them back down smoothly without losing the audience. If someone less skilled tried, the sudden change in sound and emotion would be jarring. However, the performances of Folklore and Evermore show that Swift's ability to bring intimacy to large spectacles is truly her greatest gift. Even in a place as big as Anfield, the songs Cardigan, Betty, and Willow make it feel cozy like the Cavern in Liverpool. Judging by the intense and prolonged applause, one could argue that none of the other songs performed tonight were as well-received as Champagne Problems.

One important aspect of the Eras Tour 2.0 is the inclusion of tracks from The Tortured Poets Department. These songs provide a unique vibe when performed in a stadium alongside hits from 1989 and Midnights. Although this might sound challenging, the reality is that songs like But Daddy I Love Him, Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me?, Down Bad, Fortnight, The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived and I Can Do It With A Broken Heart have been extremely popular with the audience. Despite being new releases, these tracks have already been remembered by all in attendance as if they have been part of the singer's collection for years. Additionally, a person spotted near Music Week with temporary Post Malone face tattoos during the performance of Fortnight deserves a special mention for their dedication. Kudos to them!

Even if you're a die-hard fan of The Eras Tour, there's still surprises in store. Swift's acoustic surprise song section is always a highlight, and she pulls out all the stops for Liverpool. She gives the city a shout-out by performing "I Can See You," which was filmed there, and seamlessly transitions into "Mine." Swift's renditions of "Cornelia Street" and "Maroon" are impressive as well. But it's not just the song choices that make the tour special - Swift's off-the-cuff banter between songs adds a human touch to the experience. She jokes about the windy weather in Liverpool, and even uses her own song title to describe the cold. And when she asks the crowd if they have 10 minutes, they know they're in for a treat as she launches into "All Too Well (Taylor's Version)."

It is inevitable that some people may not hear their favorite Taylor Swift song at tonight's concert. Unfortunately, material from her first album is missing. However, even if someone misses their preferred verse or chorus, it is not a big deal compared to the overall effect of the show. The performance showcases Swift's incredible talent at the height of her career. What is truly impressive is that this tour continues to be successful despite all the attention and speculation. There are many questions regarding her future performances, such as whether she has outgrown stadiums, what she will do next, and how she can surpass this incredible set. These questions will be answered another day.

Swift has always been reliable in providing answers and it will continue to be so in the future.

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