Taylor Swift Electrifies Nashville with Surprise “Shake It Off” Performance at Tight Ends & Friends
Nashville, TN – The stage at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville erupted last night as global pop sensation Taylor Swift made an unannounced appearance alongside country star Kane Brown at the “Tight Ends & Friends” charity concert. The duo sent the crowd into a frenzy with a joint performance of Swift’s mega-hit, “Shake It Off.”
The concert was a key event of Tight Ends University (TEU), an annual three-day training retreat for NFL tight ends, co-founded in 2021 by Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce (Swift’s partner), San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle, and sportscaster Greg Olsen. The event aims to foster collaboration and learning among peers through film study, on-field drills, and rehabilitation, all while raising funds for various charities selected by the founders. Swift and Kelce were also seen together at TEU’s opening ceremony.
Kane Brown was expected to be the final act of a star-studded lineup that also included Sophia Scott, Graham Barham, Chase Rice, Jordan Davis, and Luke Combs. As Brown’s set neared its end, he teased the audience about a “really, really special guest.” The cheers turned to roars when Taylor Swift emerged.
Clearly thrilled to be on stage, Swift playfully engaged the crowd, asking, “Theoretically, how loud can we get?” She then dedicated the performance “to our favorite players who are going to play, and these are the tight ends,” before launching into the 2014 smash hit. This marked Swift’s first public performance since she announced on May 30, 2025, that she had successfully bought back the masters to her music catalog.
Following their electrifying duet, Kane Brown took to Instagram to share a photo of himself with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, playfully captioning it: “When you think you’re the special guest BUT you’re not.”
The surprise appearance underscored the growing intersection of the music and sports worlds, captivating fans and highlighting the philanthropic efforts of Tight Ends University. Swift’s impromptu performance, reportedly played on Chase Rice’s guitar with the band quickly adapting, was a testament to her spontaneous energy and dedication to supporting Kelce’s endeavors.