Taylor Swift reunited with some of the old gang for her first full-band performance since the Eras tour, delivering a four-song set to a black-tie audience Saturday night at the Academy Museum’s 6th Annual Gala.
Conan O’Brien introduced her, saying, “It’s an insane and unprecedented honor to introduce a beloved member of our little ‘Toy Story 5’ family. She’s John, Paul, George and Ringo all rolled into one.”
To indicate how long she has been absent from any type of regular performance circuit, the gala’s closing show included Swift’s first-ever live performance of “The Fate of Ophelia,” the hit single she released just over a year ago, on October 3, 2025. The song is expected to be a leading contender for record of the year and other categories at the 2027 Grammys, for which the Recording Academy voters have just received their first ballot.
As expected, she also sang her 2027 Oscar nominee, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” from the Pixar film “Toy Story 5.” This wasn’t her first live performance of this song—she did it at the Grammy Museum and during a private showcase at Ross House FYC—but it was the first time she sang it live with a full band, and not as part of a mash-up. In addition to its Oscar eligibility, the song is also nominated for the Grammys, entered in the song of the year category as well as the film soundtrack and country divisions.
For the remaining two slots of her set, Swift dug further into the past, covering both her cynical and romantic bases, starting with “Blank Space” and ending with “Love Story.”
Taylor Swift performs onstage during the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala in Partnership with Rolex at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Oscars/Getty Images for the Academy Museum Foundation)
Getty Images for the Academy Museum
Wearing a Ralph Lauren dress for her performance, Swift invited the formally dressed gathering to dance along with her set, saying, “Dancing is absolutely allowed. It’s not required, but it’s more fun.”
His backing team had singers and players that would be familiar to Swifties, but also differences in the lineup, which was stripped down in some ways and packed in others, most notably with a horn section. She was joined by two saxophonists – who are not an integral part of her touring outfit – as well as four singers and a guitarist, bassist, keyboardist and drummer.
Among the regular band members participating was Paul Sidoti, who wrote on Instagram: “Great to play music with my partner on stage of 19 years for the first time since the Eras tour at a small party last night in Hollywood. »
Taylor Swift performs onstage during the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala in Partnership with Rolex at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Oscars/Getty Images for the Academy Museum Foundation)
Getty Images for the Academy Museum
Swift posed for photos with attendees, including “Toy Story 5” voice actors Joan Cusack and Conan O’Brian and celebrities including Cara Delevingne, Sabrina Carpenter, Eli Roth, Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo, John Carpenter, Hannah Waddingham, and Dakota and Elle Fanning.
Earlier in the night, Swift hit the red carpet in a pale blue Dior dress.
Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift attend the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala in Partnership with Rolex at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Oscars/Getty Images for the Academy Museum Foundation)
Getty Images for the Academy Museum
Taylor Swift performs onstage during the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala in Partnership with Rolex at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Oscars/Getty Images for the Academy Museum Foundation)
Getty Images for the Academy Museum
(L-R) Charlize Theron, Amy Homma, Director and President of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Academy Collection, Colman Domingo, Taylor Swift and John Carpenter attend the Academy Museum’s 6th Annual Gala in Partnership with Rolex at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Oscars/Getty Images for the Academy Museum Foundation)
Getty Images for the Academy Museum
Taylor Swift at the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
Taylor Swift at the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
Taylor Swift at the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
Taylor Swift at the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
Taylor Swift performs onstage during the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala in Partnership with Rolex at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Oscars/Getty Images for the Academy Museum Foundation)
Getty Images for the Academy Museum
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