It’s been just over six months since Taylor Swift closed out her record-breaking Eras Tour, but that streak away from the stage has ended. Last night (June 24), the hitmaker joined Kane Brown for a surprise collaboration, closing out the star-studded Tight Ends & Friends concert in Nashville.
The second annual concert, held at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, was held to help close out the fifth year of Tight End University. The event gathers tight-end players from football teams across the country to form connections and give back to the community. Tight End University was co-founded by San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle, player-turned-sportscaster Greg Olsen, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, who has been in a relationship with Swift for around two years.
The evening included sets from Jordan Davis, Chase Rice, Ernest, Sophia Scott, Niko Moon, and Tucker Beathard, along with a surprise appearance from Luke Combs. Kane Brown took the stage to wrap up the night with a selection of his ownhits but unexpectedly offered his final song slot to Swift, who had been happily watching the show from the venue’s balcony all evening.
Speculation about Swift possibly taking the stage had increased in the 24 hours leading up to the show, due to her being spotted with Kelce at other TEU events earlier in the week. The venue was packed with eager Swifties, many of whom waved and took videos of Swift from the crowd below as she enjoyed the concert.
After borrowing Rice’s acoustic guitar and making her way on stage, she delivered an energetic rendition of her 2014 hit single and 1989 cut “Shake It Off,” with Brown happily backing her on tambourine. The gleeful performance also marked her first time on stage since revealing she had repurchased all her masters, giving her control of her entire songbook.
Watch a portion of Taylor Swift’s surprise appearance at Tight End University, captured on video from the crowd, below: