Taylor Swift’s Explosive Surprise Performance at Travis Kelce’s Nashville Event Sends Fans and NFL Stars Into a Frenzy—Why Did She Choose This Moment to ‘Shake It Off’? The Secret Behind Her Bold Move, the Celebrity Reactions, and the Drama That’s Turning Heads Across the Country!

“The crowd lost their minds! At the end of her performance she made sure to thank the band and gave each one of them a hug,” a source told PEOPLE of the singer’s surprise performance in Nashville on Tuesday, June 24

On Tuesday, June 24, the pop superstar, 35, gave a surprise performance at her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s Tight Ends & Friends concert at the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville.

Taking the stage at the concert, which is a part of Tight End University — the annual three-day summer training camp Kelce founded in 2021 with fellow NFL star George Kittle and sportscaster Greg Olsen — Swift performed her 2014 hit “Shake it Off.”

“We would like to dedicate this to our favorite players who are going to play and these are the tight ends,” Swift, who wore a black mini dress and matching boots, said as she introduced the song while referencing its lyrics.

“I stay out too late,” she then began singing as the crowd went wild.

Speaking about the surprise moment, an exclusive source told PEOPLE, “Taylor surprised the crowd by joining Kane Brown onstage for ‘Shake It Off.’ The crowd lost their minds! At the end of her performance she made sure to thank the band and gave each one of them a hug.”

Taylor Swift performs at the Tight Ends & Friends concert in Nashville; Swift and Travis Kelce attend the Tight End University opening night ceremony.Desiree Manard; Tight End University/Instagram

Brown, 31, teased Swift’s performance by telling the crowd he was bringing out a “really, really, really special guest.” Swift the walked out onto the stage to huge cheers from the audience and asked them, “Theoretically, how loud can we get?”

The source added that Swift and Kelce, 35, arrived at Tuesday’s event together in a black SUV.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce attend the Tight End University 2025 opening night ceremony.Tight End University/Instagram

“They made their way upstairs there they chatted with the TEU athletes and guests,” the insider said. “Travis and Taylor stayed by each other’s side all while chit chatting and catching up with everyone.”

The source went on to share that Swift’s “face lit up around Travis” and she “enjoys letting him shine.”

Along with her own performance, the musician was also seen dancing to Chase Rice’s performance of his song “Cruise.”

“She sang along with George Kittle, having the best time,” the source told PEOPLE, adding that Swift danced on a balcony at the venue while holding a drink in her hand.

Taylor Swift performs at the Tight Ends & Friends concert in Nashville.Desiree Manard

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“Taylor was having the best time watching all the country music artists and showing her support for them,” they continued.

Ahead of the event, the venue’s website teased that “surprise musical guests” were set to perform, along with artists Jordan Davis, Chase Rice, Sophia Scott and Graham Barham.

It was Swift’s first live performance since she regained control of her masters last month.

Taylor Swift performs at the Tight End & Friends concert in Nashville.Desiree Manard

Her surprise performance comes after she and Kelce made what fans were calling their “red carpet” debut at the Tight End University’s opening night ceremony on June 23.

A video posted by the Tight End University Instagram page shows the couple beaming as they walk a red carpet into the event while hand-in-hand.

According to the event’s website, the camp was founded to help tight ends “bond, collaborate with, and learn amongst their peers while participating in a variety of activities including film study, on-field drills, recovery, rehabilitation, and more.”