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Swift blends the best of "1989"
with now on this year's top pop tour

Taylor Swift/ HAIM/ Vance Joy/ Shawn Mendes
Soldier Field
Chicago, IL
July 18, 2015

Taylor Swift

Story and photos by Andy Argyrakis

With a steady ascent throughout the past decade and exponential artistic improvement every step of the way, Taylor Swift isn't just at the top of her game, but running right alongside (if not a step ahead) of pop peers like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Pink. Just take a look at her latest project "1989," an eight-and-a-half-million seller in a non-album era and a stadium tour that sold out two nights at Solider Field (in the footsteps of the Grateful Dead saying farewell just a few weeks ago).

During Saturday's show, the singer/songwriter and sometimes guitar/piano player, her entirely live band and supporting singers/dancers made the case countless times that she's earned stadium-filling status thanks to a larger than life personality, sweet but increasingly sturdy vocals, empowering lyrics and sick hooks. And for the crowd of mostly tweens, teens and twenty-somethings (alongside their equally pleased parents), Swift was always tasteful in her self-esteem affirming conversations, dazzling production displays and runway-ready choreography, always maintaining her sexiness without ever turning trashy like so many who share similar status.

Opening with the new wave-inspired "Welcome To New York" was a fitting choice for the upbeat evening that was to come, perhaps only made more ideal had she temporarily recast its geography in Chicago. Even so, Swift made plenty of shout-outs to the Windy City (and the throngs who trekked from the suburbs and beyond) throughout her generous two hour show, which aside from too much down time every time she changed costumes, was otherwise stacked with smashes like "Blank Space," "I Knew You Were Trouble" and even a surprise duet with Andy Grammer on his quirky stomper "Honey, I'm Good."

Though slicker material of the last few years was the primary focus, Swift did occasionally flirt with her country confections come a completely acoustic "Fifteen" and "Love Story," now rearranged as a synth ballad to better reflect her current style. And clearly going in a glossier, ultra-chic direction was an ideal decision, especially as "Style" (accompanied by the extraordinary Serayah of "Empire" fame), "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and eventually "Shake It Off" brought down the house and gave additional weight to the headliner's now undeniable superstar status.

Those who made it early were also greeted with a potpourri of openers surely reflecting Swift (and most of her generation's) shuffle-friendly tastes. For the melodically-inclined, sister trio HAIM brought back classic, blues-dipped rock n' roll that often times evoked the rowdier side of Fleetwood Mac (but with modern production elements). Prior to that Vance Joy and his band applied an indie folk/rock flavor to narrative storytelling, while young guy with a guitar Shawn Mendes sported a more straightforward, soulful pop tint to kick off a marathon of today and tomorrow's top talents.

Taylor Swift and The 1989 World Tour return to Chicago's Soldier Field on Sunday, July 19. For additional details, visit www.ticketmaster.com.