October 11, 2024
The Egyptian Theatre is excited to bring the magic of Taylor Swift’s music to our stage with Burning Red: A Tribute to Taylor Swift on October 12th! Our Marketing Intern, Tori Smith, sat down with Gina CC, the powerhouse lead singer of Burning Red, to give the community an inside look at what to expect from this electrifying show. From epic sing-alongs to costume changes and even a Swiftie-themed photo booth, Burning Red promises to be the ultimate Taylor Swift experience. Read on to discover how this talented band of Swifties is set to transform the Egyptian Theatre into a Taylor Swift fan’s dream concert.
TORI: What should the community anticipate from the Burning Red show?
GINA: Burning Red is a high-energy, full-band concert experience created by Swifties, for Swifties. We consider ourselves the ultimate Taylor Swift sing-along experience (aside from seeing Taylor herself in person!) We are a group of very experienced, talented musicians who honor Taylor’s artistry by putting on a show we hope Taylor Swift would love. Burning Red plays the hits and fan favorites from every single era so fans can dance and sing their hearts out to the songs they love, whether country, rock, pop, or folk. Our show features multiple costume changes and lots of crowd interaction. We also have a free Swiftie-themed photo booth where guests can take pictures and even meet the band after the show. It’s just a big Taylor party!
T: What legacy do you hope to leave behind through your performances?
G: As a musician, I perform to bring joy into a room, and no fans are more joyful than Swifties. It feeds my soul to see people dancing, singing along with their whole chest, and making lasting memories with friends. We all need some respite from the world, and it seems like Burning Red shows provide that.
T: Music is such a powerful tool for bringing communities together. Do you see your tribute performances as a way to foster that connection?
G: Our whole purpose in starting this Taylor Tribute was so that we could be among our fellow Swifties, honoring and spreading Taylor’s music. I always say, “Wherever there are Swifties is the best place to be!” The Swiftie community means more to me than anything. As a Taylor Tribute, we protect it, foster it, and participate in it fully.
T: How was this band started? Were the members all Taylor Swift fans beforehand?
G: I have been a hardcore Swiftie for over a decade, and I’ve been a musician most of my life. I started playing music professionally as a teenager, just like Taylor. I fronted my band and also played bass guitar and sang in two major-label bands. But after a decade of touring, writing, making records, and working the local Chicago music scene, I decided to take a long break from music to start a family. By the time I was ready to take on a new musical project, I realized that all I ever wanted to play were Taylor’s songs, and my favorite hobby was going out to Taylor Swift dance nights to be around other Swifties. My husband (and longtime musical partner) encouraged me to start a Taylor cover band, so he and I began Burning Red as an acoustic duo just playing in local bars. We named it Burning Red after a Taylor lyric, but also because I’m a natural redhead. At first, it was just the two of us, with me playing piano and guitar, and him playing guitar and running our sound. After a few acoustic shows, we realized we wanted it to be a full band so that we could play all the big pop-rock numbers like songs from 1989 and Reputation. We quickly formed a full 6-piece band with other professional musicians who love Taylor, and it was an immediate hit. Burning Red sold out our very first full live band show in Chicago, and it’s been uphill ever since!
T: Performing at a historic venue, such as the Egyptian Theatre, adds a unique element to your performance. How do you think this iconic setting can enhance the audience’s experiences and further connect your tribute to Taylor Swift with the local community?
G: One of the unique things about the Egyptian Theatre is its well-known paranormal activity, and Swifties knows that Taylor has a lot of ghost themes in her songs! She absolutely loves using “haunting” imagery in her lyrics! October is the perfect time to play some of those songs, so we have certainly added a song or two to the set that is very on-theme with those vibes. I think the iconic beauty of this theater will help add to the experience, and fans will come away with some incredible pictures and memories.
