I first saw Taylor Swift in 2011. Here's why her coming to Indy means so much to me

Oct. 21, 2011 was the day that one man, radio evangelist Harold Camping, wrongly predicted the world would end.

Not only was Camping’s prediction incorrect and the world did not end, but it was also the night 12-year-old Claire Rafford’s world began — when I saw Taylor Swift perform live on the Speak Now World Tour in Arizona.

Alongside my dad, my sister Kate and my friend Lexi, we screamed the words to “Love Story” and “Haunted” and watched Taylor Swift change outfits from the now-iconic purple gown to a full-on wedding dress. And when she held up her hands into the shape of a heart, we stretched our heart-shaped hands out to her, too, as if she could see three young girls and feel our love from far away.

It’s crazy to think that 13 years after that night, I will (hopefully) be seeing Taylor Swift perform again — right here in Indianapolis. I’ll be over a decade older, though it’s debatable on whether I’m wiser.

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But I am wise enough to know where I’ll be the first weekend of November 2024. I mean, how could I be anywhere else but here in Indy?

I’m far from the only person with an emotional tie to Taylor Swift. Obligatory nostalgic notes: I’ve been a Swiftie since I was 10. The Fearless and Speak Now albums were the first CDs I ever owned — birthday gifts from my parents now well-loved with cracked covers, collecting dust in a cardboard box.

So when I saw the news Taylor Swift was opening the Eras Tour near my hometown in Arizona earlier this year — I fought tooth and nail to get tickets, booked my flight, grabbed my favorite sundress and headed on my self-proclaimed adult spring break.

I had the best time. My dad, sister, friends and I screamed. We cried at “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).” We were properly awed by the surprise songs — “State of Grace (Taylor’s Version)” and “this is me trying.” We sat in traffic on the way out of State Farm Stadium, wondering how any other concert could possibly live up to the brilliance we’d just witnessed.

It was priceless and perfect. But this Indy show announcement feels different. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is not just a one-night event. For three nights, Indy will be the center of the pop music world. As a Swiftie, I’m stoked, but as a reporter, I’m ecstatic. I can’t wait to see what kinds of people and events the tour brings to the city I report on every day.

Some unsolicited advice for Indy Swifties: The Eras Tour is a whole different beast if you’ve seen her on previous tours. The three-and-a-half hour long show is nothing less than a celebration of Taylor Swift’s musical legacy — with an emphasis on her five (!) pandemic-era albums, for sure, but also of the vast cultural impact Taylor Swift’s had over her 17-year career. All that is to say, sneakers are non-negotiable, in my humble opinion.

The Eras Tour has also adopted a mythology all its own. Concert attendees dress up according to Swift's distinctive fashion eras, bead friendship bracelets because of one line in “You’re On Your Own, Kid” and furiously guess and draft what songs she might perform in the acoustic “surprise songs” section. For the uninitiated, that's the section of the show where Swift performs two different songs every night that are not on the setlist. Unless, of course, she messes up the lyrics or it’s a song from her most recent album, Midnights. But we’ll get there.

If you don’t believe me that this is a big deal, look around. Cities playing host to Swift across the country have gone above and beyond to welcome the Eras Tour see Swift City, ERAZona, or call up honorary Mayor Taylor Swift in Tampa for more. Chicago broke its hotel occupancy records after Swift's three-night residency. The Federal Reserve even announced that the Eras Tour has helped stimulate the U.S. economy, bringing in millions of dollars in economic impact to cities across the country.

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That’s powerful from a pop culture atmosphere that for years has passively and actively denounced the interests of young women and girls as harebrained. Rom-coms are deemed frivolous, boy bands rote and fashion trends impractical. Taylor Swift herself was for years maligned as a serial dater who collected relationships to fuel her music career.

And while there are valid reasons to criticize Taylor Swift, the fact that she writes bravely and honestly about her relationships and personal experiences isn't one. Her music's helped me through breakups, missing my family when I moved away to college or simply feeling sad for no reason at all. I know for a fact I’m not the only one.

Obviously, I have my personal hopes and dreams for the Indy setlist — Taylor, if you’re reading this, please play “Getaway Car.” I’d love to see her bring out the HAIM sisters for “No Body, No Crime.” My fourth-grade heart would burst into two if she played some debut classics like “Our Song.” And if she keeps “Long Live (Taylor’s Version)" on the setlist and I get to scream “I had the time of my life … with you” with some of my favorite people in the world — well, I’d never ask for anything ever again.

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But most importantly, I hope it’s a night where Indianapolis can feel “happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time.”

My apartment is open to friends and family near and far. I’ll acquire as many air mattresses as I can.

We’ll make scores of friendship bracelets, pick our outfits (comfortable shoes and glitter mandatory) and walk across town to Lucas Oil Stadium, knowing in a few too-short hours, we’ll be leaving with our voices hoarse, mascara smeared and hearts full.

What critics may not understand is it’s not just about going to a Taylor Swift concert. It’s about the people you stand for three hours with, about hearing your favorite song with your best friends, about remembering every hug, tear and encouraging word that led you to this moment.

It’s a celebration of Taylor Swift, but also a celebration of you, of all of us. I hope I’ll be seeing all of you there.

One final plea to Ticketmaster: Please have some mercy on a humble local journalist. We can do this the easy way or the expensive way, and I’ve got to save my money for glitter, string and beads.

Tell business reporter Claire Rafford your favorite Taylor Swift song at crafford@gannett.com or 317-617-3402.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Taylor Swift Indianapolis: We should all be celebrating this concert