By International pop sensation Taylor Swift, 34, made waves at London’s Wembley Stadium on Friday, June 21, by performing “The Black Dog” live for the first time during the opening night of her Eras Tour stop. The surprise performance came during her acoustic set, with Swift donning an orange dress for the occasion.
Many people speculate that “The Black Dog,” a track from Swift’s latest album “The Tortured Poets Department,” is about her brief relationship with The 1975’s frontman Matty Healy. The song, which references a South London pub and the pop-punk band The Starting Line, adds another layer to Swift’s intricate songwriting tapestry.
“I’ve never played this one live before,” Swift announced to the enthusiastic crowd, as captured in videos shared on social media. The performance was part of her “surprise songs” section, where she typically offers acoustic renditions of lesser-played tracks from her extensive catalog.
Contrary to fan predictions, Swift did not perform “London Boy” or “So Long, London,” both rumored to be about her previous six-year relationship with Joe Alwyn. Instead, she treated the audience to “Hits Different” from “Midnights,” “Death By A Thousand Cuts” from “Lover,” and a mash-up of “Maroon” and “Come Back… Be Here.”
The concert drew a star-studded crowd, including Swift’s boyfriend, NFL player Travis Kelce, alongside celebrities like Nicola Coughlan, Cara Delevingne, and Jonathan Van Ness. Political figures were also present, with Labour Party leader Keir Starmer in attendance. The Prince of Wales and royal children were reportedly in attendance.
Adding a royal touch to the event, Buckingham Palace welcomed Swift with a special rendition of “Shake It Off” performed by the military band during the changing of the guard.
In a related development, singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams shared a video on Instagram showing Swift helping to extinguish a fire in her New York City apartment. The two artists collaborated on the song “us” from Abrams’ new album “The Secret of Us,” which was released the same day as Swift’s Wembley performance.
With two more nights scheduled at Wembley before moving on to Dublin, Swift continues to captivate audiences with her evolving artistry and star power. The Eras Tour remains a testament to Swift’s enduring influence in the music industry and popular culture.
