Inside Taylor Swift's surprise performance alongside Kane Brown

USA Today

2 days ago

Taylor Swift performed live for the first time in six months, on a stage few would have expected: A Nashville venue that holds just 1,200 people.
On June 24, at the Tight Ends and Friends benefit concert, Swift made a surprise appearance. Country singer Kane Brown was originally announced as the final act, but tickets swiftly sold out after the pop star appeared at a welcome reception on June 23. The concert benefits Tight End University, an NFL training camp that Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce, is heavily involved with.
After performing hit songs "Miles on It" and "Like I Love Country Music," Brown turned to the audience and said: "I've got something cool I want to do for you guys."
As the crowd cheered, Brown asked the drummer, "Can you play a beat for me?"
"Do y'all care if I bring out a really, really, really, really special guest?" he teased, lifting his hands into the air. As Swift emerged from the shadows of the stage wing, the audience let loose a roar of excitement heavier than the house band's tempo.
Taylor Swift performs with childhood best friend and Travis Kelce in audience
Swift slung a guitar she borrowed from singer Chase Rice over her shoulder, the strings still hot from Rice's performance 20 minutes earlier.
"See, the one thing tight ends have in common with Nashville musicians is we're all friends, right? So you know, we're up there," Swift told fans, gesturing to the second-floor VIP section where she and Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs were sitting.
Her childhood best friend, Abigail Anderson Berard, also watched on with husband Charles Berard, joined by some 80 NFL tight ends in town for a three-day training event.
"We're having some drinks," Swift told the audience, adding: "We were thinking like, 'How loud could this place get?'"
The crowd unleashed an ear-shattering cheer in response, and Swift began to play "Shake It Off," dedicating the smash hit to "our favorite players who are going to play: the tight ends."
Immediately, a sea of arms holding camera phones shot into the air as the singer, in an EB Denim black dress and Versace leather boots, jumped into the "1989" chart topper.
"Honestly, have you ever seen a tambourine played like this?" Swift asked after the first chorus, gesturing to Brown. "This is fantastic work by Mr. Kane Brown."
Swift — who has been on a musical break for six months following the Eras Tour — shared a mic with Brown as they belted the final chorus. The performance marks her first live show since buying back her masters in May.
What is Tight End University?
Tight End University, the site of Swift's impromptu concert, is a multi-team collaboration aimed at helping NFL players improve their game.
Started by San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle in 2021, the event sees 80 to 90 NFL tight ends descend on Nashville to study film, perform on-field drills and discuss recovery and rehabilitation.
"George has always represented camaraderie over competition," Leigh Taylor Richardson, a spokesperson for the event, told The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, on June 18. "He wants everyone involved and everyone included. A lot of people may be super secretive about what makes them the best, but he wanted to start Tight End University to share his secrets, uplift the tight end position, raise money for charity and put a spotlight on what George says really keeps all tight ends at the top of their game — their wives and girlfriends!"
The only event open to the public is the benefit concert at Brooklyn Bowl, which sold out immediately after social media was flooded with photos and videos of Swift spending time with Kelce. Fans bought general admission, standing room only tickets for about $35 plus tax, not knowing Swift would be in attendance, let alone perform.
All the proceeds from the event go toward three organizations: Kelce's nonprofit 87 and Running, which helps disadvantaged youths; The Heartest Yard, which helps kids with congenital heart disease; and a charity of Kittle's choosing.
Two years ago, attendees raised $800,000. Last year, they raised $900,000. The hope this year is to pass $1 million.