Recap of Taylor Swift’s Concert in Madrid
Taylor Swift made a triumphant return to Madrid on Wednesday (May 29) as she transformed the newly renovated Santiago Bernabéu Stadium into a musical paradise, captivating a crowd of approximately 65,000 ecstatic fans. The night was not just about music and excitement but also marked a significant milestone for Swift, who last performed in Madrid back in 2011 to a much smaller audience of only 4,000 at the WiZink Center. Fast forward to 2022, and Swift now proudly hangs the “sold out” sign at every concert she performs.
From the moment she stepped on stage, Swift made it clear how special the night was for her. “It’s an honor to be able to say this so many years later,” she expressed in English before exclaiming in Spanish, “Madrid, ¡bienvenidos al Eras Tour!” And so began a captivating show that lasted over three hours, with the audience singing along, dancing, and vibing to every note. The energy in the stadium was palpable from the very first chord to the final round of applause.
Swift graced her first performance of two in Madrid with a massive 45-song setlist, spanning across 10 sections dedicated to each of her musical eras: Lover, Fearless, Red, Speak Now, Reputation, Folklore/Evermore, 1989, The Tortured Poets Department, and a surprising selection of songs from the 2022 album “Midnights” to close out the night. Each era represented a journey through time, celebrating the evolution of one of the world’s most beloved artists.
The singer was visibly moved by the overwhelming support from the audience and vowed that it would not be another 13 years before she returns to Spain, promising a swift comeback. With another show planned at the Bernabéu Stadium on May 30, Swift’s enchanting performance continues to light up the hearts of her Spanish fans. Let’s highlight some of our favorite moments from this unforgettable night.
One of the standout moments was Swift’s initiative to connect with the local fans by speaking in Spanish. From her greeting of “Buenas tardes, encantada de veros” (Good afternoon, nice to see you all) to exclaiming “Madrid, bienvenidos a The Eras Tour” (Madrid, welcome to The Eras Tour), she made sure to bridge the language gap and make the audience feel truly welcome.
An unexpected delight during the performance of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” was when Swift passed the microphone to one of her dancers, who emphatically completed the phrase with a local slang expression, “ni de coña” (no way), much to the crowd’s delight.
Changing gears, Swift brought a fashion moment to the stage with her outfit during the 1989 era performance. Wearing a creation by Roberto Cavalli that paid homage to the flag of Spain, the singer emerged in a red strapless top and a yellow skirt, sending the Bernabéu into a cheering frenzy.
Among the sea of fans were numerous local and international celebrities, adding to the star-studded ambiance of the night. From singers Aitana and Manuel Carrasco to the Haim sisters and Hollywood power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds with their children, the audience was filled with recognizable faces.
A heartwarming moment occurred before Swift performed “Betty” when she acknowledged Lively and Reynolds’ children, mentioning that her favorite Folklore characters are James, Ines, and Betty, names that actually inspired the song itself. This personal touch exemplified Swift’s ability to create an intimate atmosphere even in a stadium packed with thousands of fans.
As part of her acoustic segment, Swift surprised the audience with unexpected song choices, such as “Sparks Fly,” “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)” on guitar, and “I Look in People’s Windows” and “Snow On The Beach” on piano, creating a special and intimate moment where the crowd sang along with every lyric.
A particularly touching gesture was when Swift handed her hat to a young girl in the audience during the song “22,” taking a moment to interact with her amidst cheers from the crowd. Though a small gesture, it surely left a lasting impact on the young fan.
