Taylor Swift plays first full-band set since Eras Tour at Academy gala
Taylor Swift closed the Academy Museum's sixth annual gala in Los Angeles on Saturday with four songs, including the first live performance of "The Fate of Ophelia" and her Oscar hopeful "I Knew It, I Knew You" from "Toy Story 5." The black-tie fundraiser raised more than $14 million, The Hollywood Reporter said.
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What happened
Taylor Swift played a four-song set to close the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday night, her first full-band performance since the Eras Tour, Variety reported. Conan O'Brien, who like Swift worked on "Toy Story 5," introduced her: "She's John, Paul, George and Ringo all in one."
Why it matters
The set doubled as an awards pitch. Swift is pushing "I Knew It, I Knew You" for best original song at the Oscars, The Hollywood Reporter said. Variety reported it is also entered for song of the year at the 2027 Grammys, and that "The Fate of Ophelia" is expected to contend for record of the year. Recording Academy voters just received first-round ballots.
What’s next
The Oscars are in March, and THR noted many guests were laying groundwork for awards campaigns. Grammy first-round voting is underway.
More context
The setlist: She opened with "Blank Space," then played "The Fate of Ophelia" live for the first time, a year after its Oct. 3, 2025, release. She followed with "I Knew It, I Knew You" from "Toy Story 5" and closed with "Love Story." "Dancing is absolutely allowed. It's not mandatory, but it's more fun," she told the room.
The band: Her group included a guitarist, bassist, keyboard player, drummer, four singers and two saxophonists, Variety said. Longtime guitarist Paul Sidoti wrote on Instagram that it was "great to be playing music with my onstage partner of 19 years for the first time since The Eras Tour."
The gala: The sixth annual event raised more than $14 million for the museum's exhibitions, education and public programs, THR reported. Charlize Theron received the Icon Award, Colman Domingo the Vantage Award and John Carpenter the Luminary Award. Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw co-chaired.
How outlets framed it: Variety led with the music, calling it her return to a full band. THR treated the night as a stop on the Oscar campaign trail, noting teams from "You Can See Everything" and "Project Hail Mary" in the room.
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