Taylor Swift Performs ‘Cardigan,’ ‘August,’ and ‘Willow’ at the Grammys

Fans are in awe after Taylor Swift performed at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards on March 14, paying tribute to her two surprise, sister albums, Folklore, and Evermore, by performing a medley of “Cardigan,” “August,” and “Willow.”

The stunning performance featured Taylor Swift’s collaborators Jack Antonoff and The National’s Aaron Dessner and elements from the music videos for “Cardigan” and “Willow.” The majestic set matched the two albums’ cottagecore aesthetic, with Swift wandering through a make-believe forest and performing in an abandoned cabin where Antonoff and Dessner stayed. The Grammy stage cabin was an homage to the cabin in the “Cardigan” and “Willow” music videos.

taylor swift’s performance was a dream pic.twitter.com/mDNdJukHo2

— ℏ (@femmeonfilm) March 15, 2021

Swift opened up the medley with a close-up shot of her face while she laid on the moss-covered roof as she crooned her number-one song, “Cardigan.” As the camera panned out, fans got a glimpse of the singer’s ethereal and magical Etro nap dress with a ’70s inspired high slit.

Once Swift joined Antonoff and Dessner in the cabin, she grabbed a black, reflective guitar and began singing the Folklore hit-song “August,” which serves as a counterpart to the first song. 

cardigan, august, and willow.

that was everything i wanted and MORE.

taylor swift just had the best performance of the night, hands down. #GRAMMYs

— the all knower (@thealIknower) March 15, 2021

As the performance transitioned to Swift’s current single, Evermore‘s “Willow,” she walked upstage, and the forest background began shimmering with gold glitter. This was thought to be a nod to the music video for “Willow” and its mystical glittering gold thread which led Swift through a cabin to her lover. 

The end of the Grammy performance saw Antonoff and Dessner joining Swift, who spun multiple times in her gown as the gold lights reflected off the dress to bathe Swift in warm tone colors.

Taylor performance was magical and unique and everything I could ask for and AUGUST X WILLOW SURPRISE!!

WOW WOW

— Leo (@Swiftsbeatles) March 15, 2021

Swift’s performance marked one of the few times the three have been in the same room as each other. The COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions forced both albums to be entirely crafted remotely. The first time Swift, Antonoff, and Dessner were in the same room was during Folklore: The Long Pond Sessions, available exclusively on Disney+.

Even though Swift had six nominations on Grammy night, she only took home one –– a historic win for Album of the Year for Folklore. This was Swift’s third time winning in the Album of the Year category. The Recording Academy also nominated Swift for Best Pop Vocal Album (Folklore), Song of the Year (“Cardigan”), Best Pop Solo Performance (“Cardigan”), Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (“Exile” featuring Bon Iver), and Best Song Written for Visual Media (“Beautiful Ghosts”).

In case you missed it, you can watch Swift’s stunning Grammy performance below.