Tag: Nebraska

All I know since yesterday is everything has changed. An Editorial.

On By The EditorIn Al Wilson, Daniel Sadownick, Editorial, Elizabeth Huett, Exclusive, Inside RED, Matt Billingslea, Taylor Swift, The Agency, The RED Tour, Video1 Comment
(Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)

I just want to know you better, Taylor Nation.

Here at the Swift Agency, still a guy who’s bit nostalgic but still pretty eager to see what The RED Tour looks like, we’d love to say things are the same with Team Swift as they usually are. However, I’d better clear that up. Everyone that works with the Sparkly Dressed on tour is doing exactly that – working. This is their job, their career move. As it is, it also means that it is the nature of the entertainment business to shift job positions once in a while.

I will never change. But I will never stay the same either.

– Taylor Swift

(Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)

The Agency has changed members throughout the years. We’re sad to see Al Wilson leave, but we’re glad to hear we have an excellent drummer in Matt Billingslea. It is very sad to know Elizabeth Huett is no longer the Enchantress’ backup singer, but we have now a group of backup singers, the Starlights. Liz is following a career as a solo artist and you can find music from her at elizabethhuett.com. We also lost Daniel Sadownick who you can still find playing with the Screaming Headless Torsos.

The Starlights is the name that Kamilah Marshall, Melanie Nyema, Clare Turton and Eliotte Nicole are calling themselves. Thanks to Jencita for finding that one out. Update: Jencita was helping get the singers a name when a young girl named Emma suggested the name “Starlights”. Thank you, Emma! 🙂 You can check out her post on defending them at Jencita’s Tumblr. I love Liz. But I know she’s following her dream of a career as a solo artist. Kamilah, Melanie, Clare and Eliotte are also very talented people who have been hired by T-Swizzle to sing with her. She chose them. Give them a chance and they’ll impress you. If you feel you don’t know them well enough to trust them, trust Taylor. I know I’m kinda rehashing my post from October last year, Fate Steps In, but this bears repeating.

(Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)

The dance crew always goes through changes. Although most of us knew, we were hoping to see the recurring faces of Claire Callaway and Charity Lynne Baroni who were part of both the Fearless and the Speak Now Tours. They’re not in them, but we have a plethora of new faces and names. I’ve been asked on Twitter if I’ll get to naming all of them. Probably. Eventually. That takes a lot of time because yours truly goes a little deeper in research that most sites. Just stay tuned.

In the meantime, I can tell you that Elizabeth Huett is actively pursuing her solo career and I will update you on what she’s up to as soon as I hear something. Claire Callaway stays in touch with the band, particularly with guitar player Grant Mickelson. Charity Lynne Baroni is now working with Selena Gomez. For real. You want to see Char dancing with her? Have a look.

Now there’s a profile for Fearless Dancer Lacey Mason, who is still very active in Twitter and following a singing career. She appears on Taylor’s online US Store. I have also chosen to give profiles to Speak Now Resident dancer Fernando Miro and Starlight backup singer Carly Thomas Smith who is not touring.

Here’s the opening to the RED Tour. I figured you deserved a video clip after having to read all that.

Watch on YouTube

And here’s “White Horse”, sang instead of “I Almost Do” during the acoustic set.

Watch on YouTube

Thanks to Jencita for posting!

Of course, I will be sure to update you on what Elizabeth Huett and Daniel Sadownick do in the future.

But what about Al, you might ask? What is he doing? Ah, Mr. Al Wilson has always kept himself consistently off the grid. Wish I’d find a way to get in touch with him. After all he was the original, the first ever member and leader of The Agency. Whatever he’s dedicating his talents to, I can only wish him the best of luck.

(Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)

Coming up on the Calendar!

  • March 18: Amos Heller‘s Birthday.
  • March 18 and 19: The Red Tour at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. On sale now. More information on Ticketmaster.
  • March 22: The Red Tour at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. On sale now. More information on Ticketmaster.
  • March 23: The Red Tour at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. Goes on sale on February 1st. More information at Colonial Life Arena.
  • March 25: Fan voting starts for the 48th ACM Awards Entertainer of the Year. Taylor Swift is nominated!

(Source: TheSwiftAgency.com)

The RED Tour Official Sneak Peek: The Princess in Red’s clips of opening night!

On By The EditorIn Concert, Inside RED, Paul Sidoti, Taylor Swift, The Agency, The RED Tour, Video
(Source: TaylorSwift.com)
(Source: TaylorSwift.com)

Official clips, Taylor Nation 🙂

Here at the Swift Agency, just a guy with a dream, we hope that everyone had fun on the Sparkly Dressed’s second night of The RED Tour in Omaha, Nebraska. I’m trying real hard not to post the entire concert. However, the Princess in Red has one-upped everyone by releasing clips from opening night. What?

Is it considered a spoiler if the Blonde With The Sparkly Guitar takes it upon herself to put them online? Don’t worry none of this clips give away any of the big surprises. You never see that thing that happens with the other thing. Oops. Sorry. My bad. Let’s go to the video.

“Holy Ground” Live on the RED Tour!

Watch on YouTube

“Sparks Fly” (acoustic) Live on the RED Tour!

“Red” Guitar Solo from RED Tour Opening Night (featuring Paul Sidoti)

Watch on YouTube

What Fans Can Expect on the RED Tour

Watch on YouTube

Coming up on the Calendar!

  • March 18: Amos Heller‘s Birthday.
  • March 18 and 19: The Red Tour at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. On sale now. More information on Ticketmaster.
  • March 22: The Red Tour at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. On sale now. More information on Ticketmaster.
  • March 23: The Red Tour at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. Goes on sale on February 1st. More information at Colonial Life Arena.
  • March 25: Fan voting starts for the 48th ACM Awards Entertainer of the Year. Taylor Swift is nominated!

(Sources: Taylor Swift via YouTube)

Welcome to the RED Tour! The Princess in RED in Omaha, Nebraska

On By The EditorIn Concert, Inside RED, Taylor Swift, The Agency, The RED Tour, Video1 Comment
(Credit: Ryan Soderlin/Omaha World-Herald)
(Credit: Ryan Soderlin/Omaha World-Herald)

Welcome to the RED Tour, Taylor Nation!

It was March 13 , and you couldn’t find an empty seat at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Here at the Swift Agency, just a guy who knows that readers are going to be torn between reading and not reading this post, we were a bit on the fence ourselves. I can’t blog and not tell you. Yes, some spoilers are ahead. Turn back now. Last chance.

The Blonde With The Sparkly Guitar knows how to put a show. But this is a new one, and until I see it myself I have yet to convey that experience. The review at the Omaha World-Herald reveals a concert with lights, effects and sounds, including her ever growing troupe of dancers, pyrotechnics and most of all, music. With her strong touring band, The Agency, and now including her quartet of backup singers. I appreciate that the author of the article mentions The Agency as “sexy band members”.

However, they do mention you will have to strain a bit to hear the Enchantress’ vocals in some of the performances. I’ll have to see myself, I’m sure I will be able to hear her voice all too well in a couple of numbers but I wasn’t there myself. Fortunately, those crazy cool kids at @TSwiftOnTour managed to keep everyone updated on the proceedings on Twitter 🙂 They really shine at doing that. There will be a second stage, Taylor might duet with one of her openers, and she will be flying around the room in a balcony, a rotating arm, a platform… yeah you could say she’s got robotics now.

The first setlist! This will change as the RED Tour continues:

  1. State of Grace
  2. Holy Ground
  3. Red

    (Credit: Ryan Soderlin/Omaha World-Herald)
    (Credit: Ryan Soderlin/Omaha World-Herald)
  4. You Belong With Me
  5. The Lucky One
  6. Mean
  7. Stay Stay Stay / Ho Hey (cover of the Lumineers ) mashup
  8. 22 (journey to the second stage, raised on the shoulders of her dancers)
  9. I Almost Do (acoustic)
  10. Everything Has Changed (with Ed Sheeran)
  11. Begin Again
  12. Sparks Fly (and she flies as well, back to the main stage)
  13. I Knew You Were Trouble
  14. All Too Well
  15. Love Story
  16. Treacherous
  17. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Thanks to @TSwiftOnTour for the compilation. The Sparkly Dressed’s full performance clocks at about an hour and a half, give or take. The openers are additional time, with Brett Eldredge and Ed Sheeran putting on one heck of a show. I even heard Ed went through a couple of guitars. After they are done, you might want to make a mental note of Lenny Kravitz’ American Woman. If you hear the tune, run back to your seat. That’s all I will say, and probably I’ve said too much.

Video clip time! First off, this is one heck of a spoiler! All Too Well, live. Don’t die on me, people:

Watch on YouTube

And here’s a clip and the encore and closing number, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together:

Watch on YouTube

Thank you to brunerjl and momoka2859 for posting. Yes, there’s more videos out there, but I’m holding back. One massive shoutout to everyone from @TSwiftOnTour for updating last night 🙂

(Credit: Ryan Soderlin/Omaha World-Herald)
(Credit: Ryan Soderlin/Omaha World-Herald)

Coming up on the Calendar!

  • March 14: The Red Tour starts at CenturyLink Center Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. On sale now. More information on Ticketmaster.
  • March 18: Amos Heller‘s Birthday.
  • March 18 and 19: The Red Tour at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. On sale now. More information on Ticketmaster.

(Sources: Omaha World-Herald, @TSwiftOnTour)

Inside Speak Now: Videos from Omaha’s Qwest Center

On By The EditorIn Concert, Inside Speak Now, Taylor Swift, Video5 Comments
(Source: Tumblr)

Warning: Really, really, really avoid this post if you want to be surprised at your concert! This is an inside look at the Speak Now concerts in Omaha, Nebraska.

Hello Taylor Nation!

We here at the Swift Agency, one guy who eats late because he spends too much time blogging, can’t help but find media about the two Speak Now concerts at Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska. There’s a bunch of pictures going around, but it’s hard not to look at the videos.

(Source: Tumblr)

You could always just look at the pictures and not the videos… right? My best advice for this post would be not to look at the videos at all… or pick one, but not all of them. However, I know that for some fans that are not going to be able to see the show the videos are the only peek they get. So that’s why I’m posting this.

Did you know the Speak Now Dance Crew has actually eight members? The girls are: Charity Baroni, Claire Callaway, Kristin Denehy, Marlyn Ortiz and Kerri Wee. The three guys are: Justin Boulet, Dominique Kelley and Fer Miro.

Update! Thanks Abbee. Seems that I forgot Meredith Ostrowsky and Kristin Denehy is the choreographer. Hopefully I can clear it up somehow. We’ll see 🙂

Okey that’s all. Nothing else to see. Go do your homework. These are not the droids you are looking for. Move along.

Here is the opening with Sparks Fly. My advice is to not look at it.

Here is one of the strongest performances both vocally and visually of the night. This is Haunted. SKIP IT. Don’t look at it. Wait until your concert!

And this is Last Kiss. Beautiful, but again you don’t want to see it right now.

Remember to vote for Taylor for the 2011 CMT Music Awards. They take place in Nashville, Tennessee on June 8. Taylor is nominated for Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year and Best Web Video of the Year. Go VOTE!

(Source: Tumblr)

Coming up in the Calendar!

  • May 29: Speak Now tour in Des Moines, Iowa at Wells Fargo Arena. Click here for ticket info.
  • May 30: Taylor Swift to perform Mean on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
  • June 2: Speak Now tour in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at Bank Atlantic Center. Sold Out.
  • June 3: Speak Now tour in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at Bank Atlantic Center. Sold Out.
  • June 4: Speak Now tour in Orlando, Florida at Amway Center. Sold Out.

(Sources: Tumblr, Twitter, YouTube)

Inside Speak Now: Omaha! You gotta keep your head up but you can let your hair down

On By The EditorIn Concert, Inside Speak Now, Taylor Swift1 Comment
(Source: Associated Press)

Warning: The following is an inside look at a Speak Now concert. If you’d rather be surprised – and believe me, despite what I tell you here, you WILL BE – perhaps you should not read this post. Run along now 😉

We here at the Swift Agency, one guy who double checks where his Speak Now tickets are every single day, usually walk the line between revealing a little and too much. That is, I will tell you details and stuff, but I prefer to keep somethings out just because I think they’re just too much of a spoiler. I might hint at them though.

The Speak Now Tour has definitely kicked into high gear! The Outspoken One’s first Speak Now tour concert in Omaha, Nebraska at the Qwest Center on May 27  has been compared to a lavish theatrical production, with a heavy influence from Cirque du Soleil.

The Sparkly Dressed once again wrote something on her arm. The phrase is “You gotta keep your head up but you can let your hair down”. According to the Omaha World Herald, it’s from Andy Grammer’s song Keep Your Head Up.

It’s a huge production. You always have something to look at. Forget about chatting while it’s on. There’s red curtains everywhere, gilded rails that have that old theater feel, bells come out of the floor and.. ok, let’s leave something for when you see it. There’s a flying balcony too. You can read the play by play at the Omaha World Herald, but there’s very heavy spoilers there so be warned.

Here it is, the setlist for last night. 17 songs for a full two-hour concert!

(Source: Associated Press)
  • Sparks Fly
  • Mine
  • The Story Of Us
  • Our Song
  • Mean
  • Back To December
  • Better Than Revenge
  • Speak Now
  • Fearless
  • Last Kiss
  • You Belong With Me
  • Dear John
  • Enchanted
  • Haunted
  • Long Live

Encore:

  • Fifteen
  • Love Story

Haunted is being called “the most energetic and biggest production of the night” and Taylor’s voice was on top shape throughout. She has been praised so much that a few of the reviews actually wanted Caitlin and Liz to let Taylor sing alone for longer moments (they’re there so that Taylor doesn’t have to strain her voice, remember that she has to play some nights in a row).

The Omaha World Herald loved the show, and you can tell the author became a fan as he describes the entire show in detail. The article at Lincoln Journal Star is another love letter to Taylor. And Mail Online managed using quotes from the MTV First and People.com interview, but still showcased pictures from the concert.

Remember to vote for Taylor for the 2011 CMT Music Awards. They take place in Nashville, Tennessee on June 8. Taylor is nominated for Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year and Best Web Video of the Year. Go VOTE!

(Source: Associated Press)

Coming up in the Calendar!

  • May 28: Speak Now tour in Omaha, Nebraska at Qwest Center. Sold Out.
  • May 29: Speak Now tour in Des Moines, Iowa at Wells Fargo Arena. Click here for ticket info.
  • June 2: Speak Now tour in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at Bank Atlantic Center. Sold Out.
  • June 3: Speak Now tour in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at Bank Atlantic Center. Sold Out.
  • June 4: Speak Now tour in Orlando, Florida at Amway Center. Sold Out.

(Source: Omaha World Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, Mail Online)