‘Vibes are out of control’: Taylor Swift applauds Kansas City crowd at Eras Tour

Editor’s Note: Want to save a piece of the Eras Tour? Sign up here to have a special-edition digital Kansas City Star front page from Taylor Swift’s Kansas City concerts sent directly to your inbox.

Night 2 of the Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is tonight on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Friday’s show was filled with surprises, so we’ll have our eyes peeled for Easter eggs, celebrity appearances and more. Catch up with everything from Night 1 here.

Our journalists will be bringing you live coverage here on KansasCity.com, Instagram, TikTok and Threads. Read through coverage from last night and check back later for full coverage of Saturday’s show.

Surprise songs on the Eve of July 9

Swift entered the acoustic portion of the show in a red dress and carrying a blue guitar. Always a fan of dates, Swift reminded the audience that it was July 8... one day before July 9, a sacred date for Swifties that is referenced in the song “Last Kiss,” from “Speak Now.”

It is one of the only dates that Swift specifically includes in a lyric. It is widely believed to be a reference to July 9, 2008, when Swift visited then-boyfriend Joe Jonas in Dallas and saw his band, The Jonas Brothers, perform that night.

Taylor Swift has promised fans all through the Eras Tour that she will not play a surprise song again during the tour unless she “messes up.”

Kansas City fans on Night 2 were there for not one, but two mess ups on “Last Kiss.” Will she play it again in another city? Could she add it to the full set? Future Swifties will have to let us know.

The second surprise song of the night was “Dorothea,” from the album “Evermore.” Maybe a subtle Kansas reference? Taylor LOVES Kansas.

‘‘Vibes are out of control’

Taylor Swift told the packed crowed at Arrowhead Stadium that “the vibes are out of control.”

“You are not just singing the words, you are theatrically performing them on a level that is unparalleled,” she told the crowd.

“Thank you for showing up the way you have showed up tonight. It is not that we are putting on a show for you, we are putting on a show with you.“

Swift smiled with tears in her eyes while the Kansas City crowd screamed — she’ll leave Kansas City knowing why Arrowhead is the loudest stadium in the NFL.

Mahomes a Swiftie?

If you thought that a show as big as Taylor Swift’s could take place in Patrick Mahomes’ workplace without him being there, you were wrong.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and his wife, Brittany Mahomes, attended the singer’s Saturday night concert.

“Just being Swifties,” Brittany wrote on an Instagram post that showed both of them at the concert. A TikTok user posted a video of Mahomes being handed a Swiftie bracelet as he appeared to be walking toward a stadium suite.

Gracie Hunt, daughter of the team’s CEO and owner, Clark Hunt, attended the Friday concert and returned Saturday, according to her social media.

On Friday, the celebrities in the house were Hollywood royalty — actress Jennifer Garner and actor Taylor Lautner, an ex-boyfriend of Swift’s who joined her on stage as she debuted a new music video he made with her.

No. 89 in Arrowhead...

Did Taylor Swift leave a clue at Arrowhead Stadium about what her next album might be?

Some Swifties saw the name “Taylor” high above the stadium seats, alongside the number 89, and took it as a sign.

“Taylor left a 1989 easter egg at Arrowhead Stadium!!! #kctstheerastour,” Twitter user @reputationlovr excitedly proclaimed.

Yeah, no.

The “89 O. Taylor” refers to former Kansas City Chiefs legend Otis Taylor, who wore number 89. His name is part of a ring of honor, revered names of former players, coaches and owners.

The wide receiver, considered by sportswriters as one of the most dazzling offensive players in football, was 80 when he died in March after a lengthy illness.

He was not, as far as we know, related to Taylor Swift. And his name was installed there before she was born.

So sorry, Swifties. You scrambled this Easter egg.

MUNA surprises Kansas City

MUNA, one of the openers for Taylor Swift during this leg of the Eras Tour, surprised Kansas City by bringing fellow opening artist Gracie Abrams on stage at Arrowhead.

The band invited Abrams to sing part of “Silk Chiffon” performed by Phoebe Bridgers, and a friend of Taylor Swift who is rumored to be dating comedian Bo Burnham (the pair was caught kissing in the VIP tent at an earlier Eras Tour stop). Kansas City missed out on a performance by Bridgers because she is on tour as a member of the queer indie-rock supergroup Boygenius.

Check out the set lists for both nights of the Eras Tour in Kansas City here — we’re updating them song-by-song.

Kansas City is ‘Enchanted,’ ready for Eras Tour Night 2

The weather in Kansas City is balmy and cool tonight for Night 2 of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour at Arrowhead Stadium.

Swifties are back Taylor-gating and the crowds are similar to the first night’s — it’s a family affair with lots of moms, dads and their kids.

Fans stood in lines that wrapped around the stadium for hours before gates opened at 4:30 p.m. Like fans on the first night, they brought friendship bracelets to swap, which helped pass the time.

The scene was awash in the color purple, the hue associated with Swift’s new album, “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) that dropped this week.

Crowds are listening from the Arrowhead parking lot

Swifties who couldn’t get (or afford) tickets to the Kansas City concerts spent days before the show wondering whether they would be allowed to listen from the Arrowhead parking lot.

Other venues on the Eras Tour have allowed it, while security at some have escorted fans away from the stadiums.

When Arrowhead officials finally announced the rule about that, they were adamant that no one without a ticket to the show would be allowed into the parking lot.

But that’s not what happened Friday night, according to posts on social media.

Several TikTok users posted videos of fans, mostly groups of young girls, dancing and singing along to the concert in the Arrowhead parking lot. Parents posted pictures on Facebook of themselves in the parking lot with their kids during the concert.

In Taylor Swift chat rooms, people told how they pulled it off.

“If anyone doesn’t have tix I didn’t either so I bought a parking pass, came at 4:00 and parked close(ish), and security didn’t mind! I could hear it all super well.”

“I was there with TONS of other people right outside.”

“Kind of insane that they made this whole big thing and now people are standing outside. As long as it doesn’t clog up traffic and no one gets hurt.”

“We are literally sitting outside of the stadium and security and police aren’t saying anything. Neither is Arrowhead.”

‘1, 2, 3... let’s go!’

The hype over the national tour began last fall when the Swifties’ mad rush to secure tickets crashed Ticketmaster. The Eras Tour officially began in March with two nights in Glendale, Ariz., and now it’s finally Kansas City’s turn.

Anyone can get in the spirit with one of these Taylor-themed events or some delicious Eras Tour treats. But make sure you watch out for heavy traffic and several road closures over the weekend.

If you’re going to the concerts, make sure you check out the best tips on how to tailgate, what to bring and when to get merch. For more insider advice, we hit up a die-hard Swiftie on the best way to dress, the best time for a bathroom break and more.

One of the most talked-about parts of Swift’s Eras tour has been her surprise songs, two tracks from her discography that she adds to the 44-song set list for each show. We mapped out the eligible tracks, KC Swifties’ favorites and the rest of the usual set list.

For other fun reads before you head out, take a look at Swift’s past KC concerts, learn about the opening acts and study up on the most popular chants you’ll hear.

A ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ release at Kansas City Night 1?

Taylor Swift performed to a sold-out, purple-clad Arrowhead Stadium the night of her “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” release, and just as she promised at the beginning of her show, she had a few “tricks up her sleeve.”

After introducing the night as a “Speak Now” release party, she premiered her “I Can See You (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” music video live for the crowd in Kansas City.

“I’m gonna show you something that I’ve been planning for years,” Swift said before playing the video. “Ever since I started rerecording my albums, I always wanted to tell a story visually that symbolically portrayed the ways that you guys have helped me get my music back.

While watching the music video, fans noticed a potential Easter egg hinting that the re-release of “1989” may be next.

After Swift’s ex-boyfriend, Taylor Lautner, and actress Joey King are shown freeing Swift from being locked in a vault — a clear nod to her efforts to regain ownership of her music by rerecording her albums — a road sign can be seen hanging above the “Getaway Car” (a song from her “Reputation” album) as it drives off.

The sign appears to read: “1’-9” 8.9 tv”.

“THEY’RE ON THEIR WAY TO SAVE 1989 …” one person tweeted.

“1989 TAYLOR’S VERSION IS NEXT. Easter eggs in the ‘I Can See You’ music video confirms it,” another said, pointing out that Swift’s makeup resembles her look from “Blank Space.”

The beginning of the video shows a security footage timestamp from “July 9 1:38 a.m.,” a reference to Swift’s “Last Kiss.”

World premiere of music video for ‘I Can See You (Taylor’s Version)‘

The audience at Arrowhead stadium were the first people to see the world premiere of the music video for “I Can See You” — one of the vault tracks from “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).”

The music video stars Joey King, Presley Cash (a Missouri native), and Taylor’s ex Taylor Lautner.

“Missouri its so good to be home!“ Cash screamed. “I love you all so much.”

Taylor Launter did back flips down the stage as he was introduced to the screaming crowd at Arrowhead.

“By the way, I didn’t plan the flip!” he said. “We had so much fun making this video. Thank you for having all of us.”

“I respect you so much,” Lautner told Swift. “Not for the singer you are or the songwriter you are, but truly for the human you are. You are kind and it is an honor to know you.”

Joey King added: “The original thing he was going to say was just, ‘Let’s Go Chiefs’”

The music video was followed by two acoustic surprise songs: “Never Grow Up“ and “When Emma Falls in Love (Taylor’s Version),” which was from her vault.

The show ended around 11:45 p.m. Kansas City police said they issued a few minor trespassing warnings, but there were no other issues.

A “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)“ surprise

Taylor Swift promised fans at Arrowhead that she had a few special tricks up her sleeves to celebrate the release of “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).“ Halfway through the set list she delivered.

It was purple as far as the eye could see inside of Arrowhead.

Swift emerged in a brand new purple ball gown that has not been seen on the Eras Tour before. Fans were screaming and crying throughout the stadium.

She performed “Enchanted,” which is her standard “Speak Now” song selection. Followed by “Long Live” as a surprise song, which Swift performed on the famed koi fish guitar that was removed earlier this week from its home in the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum in Nashville.

Will Taylor Swift take home more Chiefs swag?

You just know that Taylor Swift cannot pack Arrowhead Stadium — home of the Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs — for two nights and leave town without some team swag. Come on, now.

She already has a jersey.

When she brought her 1989 World Tour to the Sprint Center in September 2015, Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel gave her a red jersey.

“Thank you @taylorswift for being so generous & hosting us at your sold out show last night in KC! It was amazing,” Daniel wrote on Instagram that year.

“Of course, we had to give Taylor her own T. Swift 89 @chiefs jersey for the 1989 World Tour! @hillarydaniel.”

This time around, it could be Gracie Hunt, daughter of Chiefs CEO and owner Clark Hunt, who would send her home with KC goodies.

Hunt, who has been posting family vacation photos on her social media the last few weeks, posted a photo of herself Friday evening dressed for the concert at Arrowhead.

Swift fans have said they would love to see Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at the concerts.

But he and his family are also vacationing. (Though private jets are sure handy to have at times like this.)

Fan checks out of hospital to get to show

Amy Long, 18, flew from Boston on Thursday, but when she landed in Kansas City, her stomach began hurting. The pain in her kidney area worsened and she and her sister-in-law Blair Long decided to get her to the emergency room.

Once there, the doctors gave her some medication, but told her she should be admitted, meaning she would miss the concert. The doctor tried to console her by saying at least she would get a good price for reselling the ticket.

“Sir, you misunderstood,” Blair Long said.

Amy Long was discharged at noon, got ready and arrived at Arrowhead with a sign recounting her ordeal - and dedication. Swift’s show Friday is the first for both of them. And Amy Long said she was feeling fine shortly before getting in line to get into the arena.

Union Station raffling Taylor Swift speed portrait by Miss Kansas

It took speed painter Annika Wooton less than 45 minutes this week to paint a portrait of Taylor Swift in the Grand Hall at Union Station, where throngs of Swift fans are gathering to take pictures with a new Eras Tour lighted marquee.

The crowds watched Wooton, a former Miss Kansas turned motivational speaker and pageant coach, mix paints and create a 3-foot-by-4-foot likeness of the singer. Ever the pageant pro, Wooton worked in a dress and high heels.

She herself is a self-professed Swiftie, according to Union Station’s Facebook page.

The painting will be raffled online to raise money for upgrades to Union Station’s Planetarium, where laser Taylor Swift tributes have been selling out fast. The money will also help bring youth from underserved communities to the theater.

A raffle entry costs $10.The raffle closes at 8 a.m. Monday, July 10. The winner will be drawn at random and notified Monday. The painting can’t be shipped so the winner will have to pick it up at Union Station.

Entries and donations can be made at here.

“I love Kansas.” — Taylor Swift, 2009

Anyone who has listened to “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” knows that Swift’s childhood bestie is named Abigail. Abigail Anderson, to be exact. In “Fifteen,” Swift simultaneously mourns and celebrates their high school innocence.

“You sit in class next to a red-head named Abigail/And soon enough you’re best friends”

Anderson is who ultimately brought Swift to Lawrence and the University of Kansas’ campus one fateful day in August 2009. Then a sophomore at KU, Anderson was a swim star who regularly broke school records in the pool.

Check out some throwback photos of the star and her bestie here.

Also, hear Swift talk about Kansas in this video clip.

“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)“

Friday was a special day on the Eras Tour: “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)“ was released at midnight. And Swift declared the Kansas City shows a giant release party.

Swift’s re-recordings are highly anticipated by fans. “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)“ is the singer-songwriter’s third re-release since 2019 when she announced she would re-record her albums to own her masters outright.

Released in 2010, “Speak Now” was Swift’s junior album from her country music era. It was a defining album for Swift and many of her fans who could see themselves in the lyrics.

“I first made Speak Now, completely self-written, between the ages of 18 and 20. The songs that came from this time in my life were marked by their brutal honesty, unfiltered diaristic confessions and wild wistfulness,” Swift wrote on Instagram announcing the re-release. “I love this album because it tells a tale of growing up, flailing, flying and crashing … and living to speak about it.”

The new 22-song album includes all of the tracks from the original “Speak Now” album and six other tracks that were written during the album’s original era but not recorded until recently. Fall Out Boy and Paramore’s Hayley Williams are among the guest appearances on the album.

Taylor Nation, the social media accounts run by Swift’s PR team, tweeted Thursday afternoon encouraging fans to wear their best outfits inspired by “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)“ to the Kansas City shows. Expect to see plenty of purple filling the stands at Arrowhead this weekend.

What’s in our stadium bag?

Heading to Arrowhead for the Eras Tour concert? Make sure you follow the stadium’s bag policies and pack your must-haves.

• Per NFL regulations, bags larger than a clutch must be see-through and must not exceed 12-by-12-by-6 inches. Clear fanny packs are not allowed.
• Don’t bring outside food and drink into the stadium. Only one factory-sealed water bottle, 20 ounces or less, per person is permitted.
• Digital and disposable cameras are allowed only if they are less than 6 inches in length and do not have a case.

Read more about what you can and cannot bring to the concert here and watch this video for more information.

Kansas City (Taylor’s Version)

City governments, Mayor Q, businesses, museums and wheat fields around the Kansas City metro are decked out in purple to celebrate Taylor Swift’s arrival. Lots are sharing special art installations or Taylor-themed foods, but others like The Cherry Bomb Tattoo Co. in Lee’s Summit are offering Swifties something a little more permanent.

Here are a few of the celebrations shared on social media:

Swifties did call out Union Station for missing the mark on their joke. “Respectfully, it’s Taylor’s Version,” one fan replied. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Zoo is getting high marks for their polar bear statue that is dressed in a purple skirt for “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)“ and decked out in friendship bracelets.

This story was originally published July 8, 2023 at 3:44 PM.