Taylor Swift Shakes Indianapolis

By Georgie Allen
Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved attending concerts. The first show I ever saw was Brooks & Dunn at the Houston rodeo when I was 5 years old. From then on, I was hooked.

Over the years I have seen some amazing shows: One direction, Foreigner, Taylor Swift (five times) and many, many more. Nothing else comes close to the rush I get when I’m at a show. In the course of my life, I have seen about 36 shows. From personally driving to carpooling, from hotel booking to sleeping in cars, I’ve done it all.

I consider myself a veteran concert attendee, and I’d love to share my reviews and advice to all of you. I’ll let you know the dos and don’ts of concert etiquette and which shows are and aren’t worth attending. Stay tuned to see if my first review hits a high note with you!

Are you ready for it? Because I sure wasn't. On Sept. 15, 2018, Taylor Swift brought her Reputation Stadium tour to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Swift broke the stadium's attendance record, beating out acts like U2 and One Direction. In a note of gratitude posted on Instagram, the pop star said her fans broke the concert attendance record at the 67,000-plus capacity. Check out Billboard’s article on her record-breaking night here: Taylor Swift Breaks Indianapolis Attendance Record

With openers Charli XCX and Camila Cabello, Swift put on a heck of a show. She opened with "...Ready for it?" and serenaded the crowd with hits like "Look What You Made Me Do,” "Blank Space” and "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together." With astonishing effects such as fireworks, fire and flying through the crowd in a lit-up cage, Swift totally enraptured the Indianapolis crowd. Swift also gave each of her fans a free gift: A plastic bracelet that changed colors with the songs of the show.

During the middle of the show, Swift ran down the middle of the stadium floor through a barricade, touching hands with fans. Swift took her time and tried to reach everyone before jumping up on B stage and surprising fans with a performance of "Forever and Always" from her "Fearless" album that came out back in 2008.

Though there were no special guests at the Indianapolis show, there were quite a few celebrities, including John Green, Kelsea Ballerini, and Bailey Madison.

Swift clearly does not care what anyone thinks of her anymore. She shed her good girl persona for a sexy bad girl-esque performance. Fans don snakeskin attire and Swift sells snake accessories at her shows, has a giant cobra prop during the concert, and has even named herself, "Mother of snakes." She completely embraces her snake persona that was meant to tear her down. See Billboard’s article explaining Swift’s serpent history here: “Why Do People Call Taylor Swift A Snake?”

Reputation has agreeably been Swift's most exciting chapter so far. Swift is set to be grossing $9 million (yes million!) a show, and now has the title of highest-grossing U.S. tour of a female artist. According to Billboard, after only 27 shows, Swift has raked in more than $200 million.  Take a look at Rolling Stone’s article on Swift’s record-breaking stadium tour here: Taylor Swift Breaks Her Own Record for Highest-Grossing U.S. Tour by a Woman

Maybe it is a good thing that the "old Taylor is dead" as Swift says. 
Swift seems truly happier on this tour, and she seems to be acting like her true self. After she waved her final goodbyes to the Indianapolis crowd and blew the fans one last kiss, she walked off stage. The lights went out and one single quote appeared on the screen: "And in the death of her reputation, she felt truly alive."

Reputation Tour Indianapolis Set List: Swift kicked off Act One with “…Ready For It,” “Gorgeous,” and “I Did Something Bad.” Next was Act Two with “Look What You Made Me Do,” “End Game,” and “King of My Heart.” Following was Act Three with “Delicate,” “Shake It Off,” and “Dancing With Our Hands Tied.”

Swift went through an unbelievable six acts! This show was truly unforgettable and without a doubt one of the best nights of my life!

Rey: The Next Jedi Generation

By Austin Clark

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

            SMYRNA, Tenn. - A new, official trailer was recently released for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” and it has certainly left “Star Wars” fans with many questions. The trailer is two minutes and 34 seconds long, but it hardly scratches the surface of what’s to come for the “Star Wars” franchise. Many speculations have surfaced, but the number one question that has stirred up many theories is, “Who is Rey?"

            When we are first introduced to Rey, the audience hastily learns that she is a scavenger on the planet of Jakku. Before she crosses paths with BB-8, her life was merely collecting scavenged parts in exchange for food. The audience knows nothing but the fact that someone had left her on Jakku and will hopefully return for her one day. Little did we know, Rey would soon be caught in the crossfire of the First Order.

            While on Jakku, Rey comes across a rogue Stormtrooper who goes by the name Finn. Shortly after they meet, they both find themselves escaping the First Order in the one and only Millennium Falcon. Throughout the “Star Wars” franchise, the audience learns that Han Solo is one of the only individuals that know how to handle the “fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy” to make it run to its full potential. Why is it that Rey seamlessly handles the “bucket of bolts” flawlessly?

            Rey is the daughter of Han Solo and Leia Organa, as well as Kylo Ren’s sister. For this theory to be accurate, Han and Leia would have had to hide her in such a way that they are convinced that she is gone forever. It has already been stated that Kylo Ren was a part of Luke Skywalker’s next generation of Jedi before turning to the darkside of the force. It would only make sense that during Kylo Ren’s reign of terror, Solo and Organa would have had to hide their daughter away to keep her safe from being a target. This seems like a far stretch, but it further explains the reasoning why Solo’s Millennium Falcon was left on the planet Jakku in the first place.

            This theory would also explain Rey’s “natural” ability to pilot a starship. John Hart, a Motlow State Community College professor, said that Rey handles the Millennium Falcon just like Solo does (banging it/ ripping out controls) to get it to work. Hart added that in the “Star Wars”- related novels that his wife is reading, Han and Leia had twins -- a boy and a girl. The boy found himself on the path to the darkside (ahem, Kylo though his name was something else in the books), and the girl was said to be an amazing pilot with no force capability.

Although the series has been debunked and will not affect the movie universe, it does raise some suspicion throughout the “Star Wars” community.

This is just one of many theories that has made its presence known regarding the new “Star Wars” movie. Other theories include that Rey is the reincarnation of Anakin Skywalker; born purely by the manipulation of midichlorians. None of the ideas and opinions that have been discussed are factual.

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is set to release Dec. 15 and until then, all evidence is not genuinely correct.

Ben Crittenden, a long-term “Star Wars” fan adds, “All of these ideas that have emerged don’t really matter. All of our questions will be answered soon, and my money is on the theory that Han Solo and Leia Organa have some secrets of their own.”

If you would like to come up with your own ideas within the “Star Wars” franchise, watch the trailer by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0CbN8sfihY

(About the writer: Austin Clark is a Mass Communications major currently enrolled at Motlow State Community College.)