Taylor Swift Mesmerizes Indianapolis with Surprise Mashup of “Exile” and a Nostalgic Debut Album Hit

A Unique Blend of Past and Present Captivates the Lucas Oil Stadium Crowd During the Eras Tour

Taylor Swift delivered a mesmerizing surprise to her 69,000 fans in Indianapolis on Friday night, seamlessly blending the haunting notes of “Exile” from her critically acclaimed Folklore with “Cold As You” from her debut album. It was a fitting performance for night one of her three-show stop at Lucas Oil Stadium, marking the final U.S. leg of her epic Eras Tour before heading to Canada.

Dressed in a stunning raspberry and light blue dress, Swift spun onto the stage for the “surprise” segment of the night, a fan-favorite portion of each show where she performs unreleased or unexpected song combinations. “I look forward to this every night because I do different things every night,” Swift told the cheering crowd. “My challenge is to try and pick ones that you might want to hear.”

Opening the segment with an acoustic rendition of “The Albatross” from Tortured Poets and “Holy Ground” from Red (Taylor’s Version) on guitar, she set an introspective tone. Fans listened in awe as she played the final lines, ending with the softly sung, “But I don’t wanna dance if I’m not dancing with you,” before moving to the piano.

Swift then delighted fans with a mashup of “Cold As You,” a raw, emotional track from her 2006 debut album, and “Exile,” her deeply moving duet with Bon Iver. “I think I’ve seen this film before,” she sang, echoing the heartbreak that has captivated listeners since Folklore’s release. The crowd waited in anticipation, hoping for a surprise appearance from Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, but Swift held the stage alone, keeping all focus on her heartfelt delivery.

With just two more shows in Indianapolis, Swift’s farewell to the American leg of the Eras Tour felt especially poignant. She confirmed it was her last U.S. stop before heading abroad, closing an unforgettable chapter for her stateside fans.

Swift’s knack for blending nostalgia with new releases and her gift for evoking universal emotions continues to make each stop on the Eras Tour an event that transcends music, creating memories that fans carry long after the final song ends.