THE songs of pop princess Taylor Swift offer an insight into the mind of a teenage girl. Her tales of love lost and found ring true, so it's no wonder she has captured the hearts of girls the world over.
They are her stories, they are their stories and if she'd never written another song besides Fifteen she would have created something of lasting beauty. This gem would provide the highlight in a 130-minute set to open her Australian tour, but it was kept good company.
That Swift can present these songs in a frequently jaw-dropping spectacle made the night all the more special.
It's a show that matches, say, the scale of Britney Spear's Circus with its set and costume changes, but has a whole lot more soul. Swift clearly knows her audience. Bearing in mind the age of many people there, the volume was set at a safe level. She looked glamorous in everything from minis to ball gowns without being overtly sexual in her dress or manner.
It sat somewhere between a musical production and concert. Swift does not have the strongest of voices, but that's just one part of the package and overall she makes the very best of what she has.
A team of dancers and aerialists added to her nine-piece band to ensure there was always something to catch the eye and ear. Much had to be seen to be believed. A massive bridge descended on stage for a few numbers. A back porch materialised for a spell and the night culminated with the appearance of a balcony on which Swift sang Love Story, her updating of Romeo And Juliet (with a happy ending of course) while flying over the crowd.
Such stagecraft was balanced with simple charm. She took all 16,000 audience members into her confidence as she shared the origins of her songs. While making her way to a secondary stage at the back of the venue she walked around the perimeter of the standing section touching as many fans as possible. Halfway along, Swift saw a sign held by a very young girl perched on her father's shoulders. The singer removed one of her gloves and threw it to the girl.
The trick of course will be, as they both grow older, to keep the heart of this little girl. For now, though, Taylor Swift remains a breath of fresh air in the pop market.
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