Los Angeles — Taylor Swift Returns to the Stage With Four Songs at Academy Gala
Taylor Swift reunited with familiar members of her touring crew for her first full-band performance since the Eras Tour, playing a four-song set for a black-tie crowd Saturday night at the Academy Museum 6th Annual Gala.
Conan O’Brien introduced Swift, describing her as a treasured member of the “Toy Story 5” family. “It’s an insane, unprecedented honor to introduce a cherished member of our little ‘Toy Story 5’ family. She’s John, Paul, George and Ringo all in one,” he said.
The performance marked Swift’s first live rendition of “The Fate of Ophelia,” the hit single she released just over a year ago, on Oct. 3, 2025. The track is expected to be a leading contender for record of the year and other categories at the 2027 Grammys, with Recording Academy voters having just received their first ballots.
Swift also performed “I Knew It, I Knew You,” her song from Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” which is being considered for the 2027 Oscars. Although she had previously performed the track live at the Grammy Museum and during a private Ross House FYC showcase, Saturday marked the first time she sang it with a full band rather than as part of a mash-up.
The song is also competing for Grammy recognition, with entries in the song of the year category, as well as the film soundtrack and country divisions.
For the other two songs, Swift turned to earlier hits, beginning with “Blank Space” and closing the set with “Love Story,” spanning both her cynical and romantic sides.
Dressed in a Ralph Lauren gown, Swift encouraged the audience to join in the dancing. “Dancing is absolutely allowed. It’s not mandatory, but it’s more fun,” she told the formally dressed guests.
Her backing group included familiar faces for Swifties alongside changes to the usual lineup. The arrangement was pared back in some areas but expanded with a horn section, including two saxophone players who are not regular fixtures of her touring band. Four singers joined a guitarist, bassist, keyboard player and drummer.
Paul Sidoti was among the returning band members. Reflecting on the occasion in an Instagram post, he wrote, “Great to be playing music with my onstage partner of 19 years for the first time since The Eras Tour at a little party last night in Hollywood.”
Swift also posed for photographs with guests, including “Toy Story 5” voice actors Joan Cusack and Conan O’Brian, as well as Cara Delevingne, Sabrina Carpenter, Eli Roth, Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo, John Carpenter, Hannah Waddingham, and Dakota and Elle Fanning.
Earlier in the evening, Swift appeared on the red carpet in a pale blue Dior gown.
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