🎤 Songs That Don’t Suck – Episode 24 Recap: Taylor Swift, Emotional Setlists, and 5 New Songs You Need to Hear
It’s not every week that Songs That Don’t Suck starts with a full-on emotional breakdown—but hey, when Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour rolls through Detroit, you call in the experts. 🎟️ This week, host Mark Bradbourne is joined by his daughter Jenna for a live concert recap that covers every decibel, teardrop, and secret song.
Let’s just say this episode had range. 😅
👯 A Swift Night in Detroit: Jenna & Mark’s Eras Tour Recap
Mark and Jenna saw Taylor Swift live at Ford Field, and they’re here to tell you about it. All 44 songs. All 3 hours and 20 minutes. All 120 decibels.
🎤 Emotional Breakdown Checklist:
- Tears at the Gate – The magic hit before the show even started.
- Overwhelmed by the View – Great seats = big feels.
- “The Archer” Hits Different – A lyrical gut punch on the way to Detroit.
- “My Tears Ricochet” – Unexpected emotional devastation and closure.
“She had all 60,000 people in the palm of her hand—and I could’ve watched just her and an acoustic guitar for three hours.”
Whether you’re a certified Swifty or Swift-adjacent, the production, musicianship, and emotional weight of this show left a serious impression.
🎙️ This Week’s Brain-Bending (Well, Heart-Tugging) Cover
🎶 Maddie Wilson – “The Archer” (Taylor Swift Cover)
📍 From: Nashville
🎧 Vibe: Intimate, faithful, emotive
Not exactly brain-bending, but a lovely, stripped-down tribute to the Lover track that hit Jenna in the feels. Maddie brings warmth and clarity to a song that already feels like a quiet confessional.
🎧 This Week’s Songs That Don’t Suck
1. Dirty Blonde – “Run When I Tell You”
🇬🇧 From: Northwest England
🎸 Genre: Alt-Rock / Muse-Adjacent
Only two songs deep into their discography and already showing massive promise. Gritty riffs, commanding vocals, and just the right hint of menace.
“That guitar tone reminds me a bit of Muse… in the best way.”
2. The Sheratons – “Mystic Pizza”
🇬🇧 From: Leeds, UK
🎶 Genre: Indie Rock / Britpop
Forget the movie—the Sheratons’ “Mystic Pizza” stands on its own. Arctic Monkeys energy with a vocal edge, this track is tight, catchy, and full of punch.
“If you like this one, their earlier tracks have the same fire.”
3. Skies Behind – “Call It What You Want”
🇮🇪 From: Ireland
🎵 Genre: Alt-Rock / Modern Indie
Clean vocals and top-tier production stand out in this fresh release. Hard to peg a direct influence—which is a good thing. Distinctive, confident, and memorable.
“I couldn’t find a clear comparison… and I love that.”
4. Cold War Kids – “Double Life”
🇺🇸 From: Los Angeles, CA
🎧 Genre: Alt-Rock / Indie Staple
Still bringing the heat after all these years. With hits like “Hang Me Up to Dry” and “First,” Cold War Kids return with another hook-heavy, emotionally textured track.
“I keep forgetting how many of their songs I know—until I hear them again.”
5. 🎸 Featured Track: Super Bloom – “Pig”
🇺🇸 From: NYC
🔥 Genre: Grunge Rock / Alt-Rock
Heavy riffs, Cobain-esque guitar tones, and raw vocal delivery make this one stand out. Their first release came in 2020 (pandemic timing strikes again), but “Pig” might be the breakout they needed.
“If Nirvana made music in 2023… it might sound like this.”
🔧 Housekeeping (Swifties Welcome)
- 🗣️ Share the pod with your music-loving friends.
- 🛍️ T-shirts & stickers available on the site
Top-tier dad-daughter bonding, emotional catharsis, and some banger new tracks?
Sounds like an episode that doesn’t suck. 😎
🎶 Thanks for listening—and until next week, keep searching for and listening to Songs That Don’t Suck. 🎧
