Before Taylor Swift's concert at the Save Mart Center, Mayor Ashley Swearengin declared Saturday "Taylor Swift Day" in Fresno. Fans at the sold-out show didn't need a proclamation to make it official. Swift's was the most-sought-after concert ticket of the year thus far. And to hear fans tell it, the 20-year pop/country princess didn't disappoint.
She spent two hours cycling through her numerous hits -- "Love Story" and "You Belong With Me" -- but her interaction with the crowd might have stood out even more. She walked the aisles of the arena, talking to and hugging her fans.
We asked Swift fans to post their concert reviews on fresnobeehive.com, and many did. Here's a sampling of what they had to say: CL: "Fantastic concert. Superb choreographed stage show. Excellent overhead video interviews and segues into next songs during costume and stage changes. Well worth every penny I spent for two tickets."
Abel E. Jimenez: "For two hours, she gave the fans what they wanted, an amazing show full of frivolity and storytelling. That two-and-a-half minute chant of 'Taylor! Taylor!' plus the stomping and screaming by the fans alone was the standout of the whole concert and she was left speechless for that period of time. Her wardrobe was awesome and the music was good.
"The best part: Every song she sang was all hers; there are certain artists that will pay homage to their favorite artists by singing one of their classic hits, not Taylor, pushing 21, she could come out with a greatest hits CD already, for every audience member knew every song by heart. I hope Taylor makes a stop in Fresno every time she goes on tour."
Jessica: "Great show definitely worth the money. She was just great. My favorite performance was 'Love Story' and I loved the 'Crimes of Passion' video. I can't wait for her next concert. She is an amazing singer and my idol. I feel so lucky to be able to go."
bfalke: "So first things first: I am not a country fan. I am familiar with Taylor Swift and have had some mild respect for her because of the fact that she is so young and writes all of her own songs ..."Taylor Swift is a fans' artist. Her genuine love for her fans could not be missed.
Never have I seen an artist perform a song from the stairs of the lower balcony and then walk down the entire set of stairs offering hugs to probably no fewer than 150 of her fans on the way to a smaller stage set up for her on the other end floor.
And then again, after a few more songs, she walked from the small stage back to the large stage doing the same. She was mainly hugging younger girls looking up to her and what struck me and my wife was that she was telling these young girls how pretty they were. I really thought that was classy.
"Overall, I personally may never purchase a Taylor Swift album. But I have a lot of respect for her being just 19, a songwriter and for putting on a really good show. I have never seen an artist have that type of relationship with their fans, and I hope Swift never loses that."
Lauren M.: "Taylor made her show seem very very personal, she met as many of the fans as she could, and talked about how the Mayor proclaimed that yesterday was the official 'Taylor Swift Day' in Fresno. She did several wardrobe changes, most of which featured her signature glittery dress and cowboy boots. She seemed very nice, funny, and down to Earth.
She's a great role model for young girls. At the end of the show, thousands of paper hearts fell from the ceiling, and Taylor soaked herself in a curtain of rain. "Overall, it was a very cool show, definitely one of the most creative and fun ones that I've ever been to. If she comes to Fresno again, I would pay to see her for the second time."
ashley: "It was amazing. My mom did not like her going into the concert. She was complaining about how annoying [Taylor] is. [After the concert she said] Taylor was one of the most friendly talented persons she has ever seen. It was 'Fearless.' [Taylor] hugged me and told me she loved me when she came down the stairs to sing 'Hey Stephen.' The water at the end was perfect."
Barbara Simons: "On top of being an awesome performer and putting on an overall great show, I was truly impressed by her musical talent. There were several guitar changes throughout the show as well as a piano performance and the most impressive, a drum duet. Although I don't feel Taylor Swift's vocals are developed enough to be compared to Reba McEntire as of yet, as she matures I'm sure her vocals will as well. Can't wait to see her back in Fresno again."