About six months ago, my best friend from college texted me out of the blue: “Are you interested in seeing Taylor Swift?” My first thought was, “Maybe?” She quickly clarified, “I have tickets—want to come with me?” My answer was a resounding yes and thus began my Taylor Swift journey.
Let me be upfront—I’m a fan but not a superfan. I know the hits and a handful of her lesser-known songs, but with such a massive discography, I hadn’t even scratched the surface. Taylor Swift is a machine. As I dived into her music, I kept discovering new songs, wondering how she could possibly have more. But even with this whirlwind of a crash course, nothing prepared me for what I’d experience at her concert last Friday night in Indianapolis—three hours of non-stop performance turned me from a casual fan into something close to a diehard.
Our City’s Big Night
First things first—Indianapolis absolutely put on a show. Taylor was at her best, but our city came alive in a way that made me proud. Indy rolled out the red carpet, just as it has done for so many big events before. Despite the crowds, we made it downtown smoothly with a driver. Traffic was heavy, sure, but manageable, and we joined thousands of Swifties flooding the streets. Dinner at Harry & Izzy’s was the perfect start, with themed drinks and a special Taylor Swift menu. The whole city got in on the action. Restaurants, bars, even street corners were dressed up for the occasion. Our first responders traded friendship bracelets with fans. This wasn’t just Taylor’s night—it was Indy’s, too.
Among the Swifties
Once we arrived at Lucas Oil, the energy was electric. Less than a week before a divisive election, it felt refreshing to be surrounded by this pure, positive energy. In our section, we met a couple from Connecticut and a brother-sister duo who could name each song and the minute it would play. We swapped bracelets, cheered, and sang together all night, a little community united by music.
The Show: Taylor Swift
I went in as a passenger on this Swiftie spaceship—my friend was the real fan. But my FOMO (fear of missing out) got me here, and I couldn’t be more grateful. How do I explain the concert? There’s really only one word: Impressive. Every element—the music, the staging, the dancers, the crowd—left me in awe. As I watched her command the stage, I noticed the people around me just as much. Kids out past bedtime, parents on date night, friends tearing up as Taylor appeared. This artist had pulled people from all backgrounds and brought them together, night after night, across the globe. And she’s still going, with Vancouver as her last stop in December.
A Moment to Remember
I won’t go into the ticket saga that so many encountered here because that’s not the point. This show was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As a casual fan, I was thrilled to be part of it and to witness the phenomenon of Taylor Swift. She has done what so many artists dream of—become a unifying voice. Women, men, young, old, every race, every orientation—it didn’t matter. What I saw on Friday night was bigger than all that. It was 69,000 fans coming together, myself included.
Will I get to see Taylor again? Maybe someday, if my daughter insists. But for now, call me a reformed Swiftie.
