Twins Kortney and Kassidy Thompson, rode an Amtrak train from their home in King George, Virginia, to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. It’s the first time the 21-year-olds have been to a concert since the COVID-19 pandemic and its also their first time traveling since the pandemic.
“It’s historical in nature,” Kassidy said of Swift’s sold out tour.
The journey required the family to wake up at 4 a.m. to board Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line but that didn’t stop them from wearing Swift’s merch.
Kortney bought two outfits for the show and some of their accessories include disco ball earrings and heart shaped glasses (a look Swift adorned during her “Red” era).
“I’m kind of worried about my shoes,” Courtney said. “I got like sparkly like cowboy boots, underwear, but I haven’t worn them yet.”
Another accessory is a painted 13 of the twins’ hands; Swift’s fans often put her lucky-number 13 on their hands for shows — a good-luck charm the singer has used since she was a teenager.
The sisters grew up listening to Swift’s music.
“I remember watching the music videos or like CMT when I was like eight years old,” Kortney said.
Fans of all ages showed up early for traditional tailgating activities and to trade friendship bracelets. Some fans made as many as a hundred bracelets to exchange or give away, inspired a lyric in the song, “You’re on Your Own Kid” that calls on listeners to “make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it.”
Not everyone in the parking lot had tickets for the show. Some showed up hoping to buy last minute tickets while others sat outside to listen to the concert.
Griffith has attended every one of Swift’s tours so far. She wore an Eagles T-shirt.
In the song “gold rush,” on the album “evermore,” Swift sang, “With my Eagles T-shirt hanging from the door.” That lyric spawned some online debate with some fans convinced the singer is referring to the band and others sure the Pennsylvania-native was referring to the football team.
That controversy was ended when Swift chose that song as one of Friday night’s surprise songs, adding, “I love the band the Eagles, but come on, I’m from Philly of course it’s the team.”
Dates also wore an outfit that drew on a song. Her “mirrorball” inspired look sparkled in the parking lot under the early-evening sun.
“There’s like different branches of being a singer,” she said. “Either you’re a vocalist, you can write a story, or you can sing and write the story. Taylor is one of those people that can sing and write the story and she doesn’t need other people to write it for her.”
Brielle Sherman describes her outfit
