All photos by Josh Gunter

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Prior to Tuesday night, Taylor Swift had performed in Cleveland more than a half-dozen times.

You could combine all of those shows – their energy, entertainment value, etc. – and it wouldn’t come close to the bonkers showcase that was the “Reputation Tour.”

Swift’s show at FirstEnergy Stadium had it all: Pyrotechnics, eye-popping special effects, inflatable snakes, countless wardrobe changes, its star flying above the crowd, and as many fireworks as the Fourth of July.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Swift’s latest trek features more than 50 trucks worth of stage equipment, hundreds of crew members, dancers, backing singers and a full band. But the show starts with Swift all by her lonesome.

Two giant screens split down the middle to reveal the pop star in all her glory. It’s like that scene in "Jurassic Park" where Jeff Goldblum’s character asks, “What do they got in there, King Kong?”

Yes -- a skinny, blonde and bedazzled King Kong. No star is mightier than Taylor Swift, who owned every second of who two-hour set.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

For fans who have seen Swift more than once (which is probably most of the 60,000-plus people at FirstEnergy), this is the best she’s ever been. Everything on the “Reputation Tour” is fine-tuned.

The costume changes were seamless. Swift’s vocals (never the most powerful in pop) were nearly pitch perfect, even while suffering from a cold.

Every one of her facial gestures (magnified on multiple screens) was flawless. Just one look from Taylor was enough to induce screams that left your eardrums ringing.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Swift delivered epic theater just two songs into her set, with the bass-heavy “I Did Something Bad." The performance felt like a fierce, futuristic Broadway showcase. Clearly, Swift has borrowed from the best divas past and present, meaning Beyoncé, Gaga, Janet and Britney.

Swift was quickly joined by dancers, backup singers, more dancers and her band, which includes Cleveland’s own Paul Sidoti. And things just kept getting bigger and bigger.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

The show took on a cinematic vibe for “Look What You Made Me Do,” as Swift arrived on a titled stage backed by an inflatable snake (both jabs at enemies Kanye West and Kim Kardashian).

Not surprisingly, Tuesday’s setlist was heavy on Swift’s latest album “Reputation.” She remixed her hip-hop song “End Game,” eliminating guests Future and Ed Sheeran’s parts.

That might seem like a ballsy move, except Taylor strutted around the stage as if the song would have been a top-20 hit even without those two talented hitmakers.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Much praise the show’s supporting star – Swift’s special effects team. The “Reputation Tour” features some of the best graphics you’ll ever see in concert.

During “Delicate,” Swift was hidden behind a screen full of stars before she took off on a platform, floating to a smaller stage towards the back of the arena.

While there, she captivated fans who didn’t expect to get such a close glimpse of the star with a stirring rendition of “Shake It Off.” Swift even brought out her two openers, Charli XCX and Camila Cabello.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Charli XCX was quite the lively opening act, running through her collection of pop hits like “Boom Clap,” Icona Pop’s “I Love It” and the true highlight “Boys.” XCX’s voice carried throughout the stadium even on an anti-climactic rendition of Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy.”

Cabello’s performance felt a bit more forced. But you can see a headliner in the making. Her set featured shortened versions of most of her songs, along with covers of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and Machine Gun Kelly’s “Bad Things” (which didn’t even reference the Cleveland rapper). Yet, her big hit “Havana” closed things out in fun fashion.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Unfortunately, many fans didn’t get to see either opener. The entrance area for spectators seated on the floor were log jammed, leading to extremely long waiting times. It bordered on unbearable with no real explanation as to why.

Everyone seemed to make it into the stadium in time for Swift. And when that’s your headliner, I suppose almost all can be forgiven.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Swift’s show as divided into six “acts.” She closed out the third one by performing “Babe,” the song she wrote for Sugarland, for the first time ever in a live setting.

From there it was off to another stage, as Swift walked through the crowd greeting as many fans as she could. Then came more dancers and more inflatable snakes. Swift even rode inside a snake platform as she worked her way back to the main stage.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

The show’s final two acts were epic. The stage split into multiple parts as dancers flew and Swift ripped through “Bad Blood.”

Then came the night’s surprising highlight – the stunning “Don’t Blame Me.” It was arena rock on the highest level, transforming FirstEnergy into the Church of Taylor Swift.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

A piano-driven of “New Year’s Day” and a video interlude (with a poem that was rather forgettable) set the stage for show’s close, which included “Getaway Car,” “Call It What You Want” and the one-two punch of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things.”

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Swift’s concert wasn’t perfect. She still talks a bit too much and her dance moves leave something to be desired. But she’s as perfect as a pop star gets.

She’s got the looks, the voice, the songs. And now she has the mind-blowing stage show worthy of her status as music's biggest star. It'll be hard for any act to top what Swift just brought to Cleveland in 2018.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit