Taylor Swift Returns With Four-Song Set at Academy Museum Gala

Taylor Swift performed her first full-band set since the Eras Tour on Saturday night, delivering four songs to a black-tie audience at the Academy Museum 6th Annual Gala in Los Angeles.

The gala-capping set included a milestone: Swift's first-ever live rendition of "The Fate of Ophelia," the single she released on Oct. 3, 2025. The song is expected to be a leading contender for record of the year and other categories at the 2027 Grammys, where Recording Academy voters have just received their first ballots.

What did she sing?

Swift also performed "I Knew It, I Knew You," her contender for the 2027 Oscars from the Pixar film "Toy Story 5." She had sung it before at the Grammy Museum and at a private Ross House FYC showcase — but never live with a full band, and never outside a mash-up. The song is also entered at the Grammys in the song of the year, film soundtrack and country divisions.

She filled the remaining two slots with older material, opening with "Blank Space" and closing with "Love Story." One covered her cynical side, the other her romantic one.

Who introduced her?

Conan O'Brien introduced Swift to the formally clad gathering. "It's an insane, unprecedented honor to introduce a cherished member of our little 'Toy Story 5' family," he said. "She's John, Paul, George and Ringo all in one."

Wearing a Ralph Lauren gown, Swift invited the audience to dance. "Dancing is absolutely allowed. It's not mandatory, but it's more fun," she said.

Who backed her up?

The lineup mixed familiar faces with new additions. Swift was joined by:

• two saxophone players — not a regular feature of her touring outfit
• four backing singers
• a guitarist, bassist, keyboard player and drummer

Longtime band member Paul Sidoti was among the players. "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," he wrote on Instagram.

Nineteen years of partnership, then a gala in Hollywood to break the pause.

Who was in the room?

Swift posed for photos with attendees including "Toy Story 5" voice actors Joan Cusack and Conan O'Brien, plus Cara Delevingne, Sabrina Carpenter, Eli Roth, Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo, John Carpenter, Hannah Waddingham, and Dakota and Elle Fanning.

With Grammy first ballots now in voters' hands and Oscar season approaching, the set functioned as an early campaign stop for two songs with major 2027 eligibility.