Sparks fly live

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Compiled by Barry C Chung
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Two YP readers won the chance to meet their idol, Taylor Swift, during her Hong Kong concert

Compiled by Barry C Chung |
Published: 
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Two Young Post readers lived the dream of meeting their idol Taylor Swift on Monday at her highly anticipated concert in Hong Kong. They were winners of an online competition conducted by Young Post that invited participants to capture the essence of their love for Taylor in a photo on Facebook.

A lot of diehard fans sent in their submissions. Here the two winners recount their experiences.

Ruby Chan, 15

Sometimes we just don't want moments to end. I felt that way at the Taylor Swift concert.

She is an award-winning young musician who was in Hong Kong for a one-night live show promoting her new album, Speak Now. I was invited to meet her briefly and say hello an hour before the concert started.

I was waiting nervously backstage for her to arrive. Finally the door of the room opened and Taylor entered.

Taylor did not put on airs at all. She was charming and down-to-earth. She even let me hug her.

The concert kicked off with the song Sparks Fly. Everyone at the Asia-World Arena went wild. Taylor wore a shimmering golden sequined dress. She had even learned to greet us in Cantonese.

The mood remained lively and cheerful until Taylor sat down at her white piano to play a sad song, Back to December, she wrote to her ex-boyfriend. Soon, though, the mood picked up again as the crowd screamed and cheered.

After the song Speak Now, Taylor unexpectedly walked down the stage to the little podium in the middle of the arena. She shook hands with fans. She sat on a chair and sang Fearless as she strummed a guitar.

Back on stage, she performed Long Live with her band. The hour and a half flew by.

She finally performed Love Story and with a "Bye bye, Hong Kong" she was gone.

The concert was fantastic and flawless. This night will definitely stay in my mind forever.

Vanessa Ip, 17

The 21-year-old Grammy winner sparkled on stage with her blond curly hair, shiny dress and red guitar. The country diva's greeting "Nei ho ma, Hong Kong?" sent the crowd into a frenzy.

She told her fans she had undergone "love and heartbreak ... and love and heartbreak", but she learned her lesson. "It's gonna be all right!" she said, before launching into The Story of Us.

She mixed the chorus part of Apologise by OneRepublic into her sad ballad about lost love, Back to December.

After changing into a lovely blue dress, Taylor looked like any other girl. She danced and jumped around the stage.

During the show's climax Taylor performed Fearless and You Belong With Me from her previous album Fearless. She also sang I'm Yours by Jason Mraz.

According to rumours, her song Dear John was about lady-killer singer John Mayer. Taylor sang with deep emotion, touching everyone in the arena.

She dedicated the last song of the night, Long Live, to her fans. She thanked the crowd: "You treated us as family tonight!"

The crowd demanded an encore. She reappeared to perform her greatest hit Love Story. We all sang the lyrics along with her.

It was a wonderful, fun-filled night. Everything worked seamlessly. The music, dancers, the stage affects - they were all fabulous.

We in the audience were on an emotional high and Taylor, too, clearly enjoyed singing for us.

Hopefully, she'll return to Hong Kong soon for another great show.


Ruby and Vanessa (left) pose for a photo with Taylor Swift

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