On the evening of October 26, 2022, the OVO Arena Wembley in London became the unexpected epicenter of a musical milestone. Taylor Swift made a surprise guest appearance during Bon Iver’s concert as part of their 2022 UK Tour. This marked the first time Swift and Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon performed their haunting duet “exile” live and in person. The moment bridged the remote origins of their collaboration amid the COVID-19 pandemic and brought it to vivid life on stage. Joined by producer Aaron Dessner from The National, the performance encapsulated the introspective, folk-infused essence of Swift’s 2020 album folklore. It also ignited a wave of fan euphoria that rippled across social media and music outlets.
The Remote Duet Comes to Life
The roots of “exile” trace back to the early days of the 2020 global lockdown. Swift, seeking a creative outlet amid isolation, reached out to Vernon for a collaboration. The song, a poignant ballad about two ex-lovers reflecting on their failed relationship from opposing viewpoints, was co-written remotely. Swift handled her verses from Los Angeles, Vernon contributed his baritone from Wisconsin. Released as a standout track on folklore on July 24, 2020, “exile” quickly became a fan favorite. It was praised for its cinematic storytelling and emotional depth, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Prior to the London show, the only joint performance of the track had been a virtual one in the Disney+ special folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions. This was filmed without an audience. Swift’s Grammy win for Album of the Year in 2021 further spotlighted Vernon, whom she thanked effusively, expressing her eagerness to “meet you someday”—a sentiment that added layers of anticipation to their eventual onstage union. Their collaboration extended to the title track on Swift’s follow-up album evermore.
The Night of the Performance
The surprise unfolded after Aaron Dessner performed “Reese” with Bon Iver. As the opening piano notes of “exile” played, Swift emerged on stage to rapturous applause, joining Vernon and Dessner for the duet. She appeared happy and humbled, with her signature long hair flowing, and the trio’s chemistry shone through in their harmonious vocals. After the song, Vernon quipped about the challenge of following her, before continuing the set with classics like “Skinny Love” and “Holocene.”
Immediate Impact and Fan Reactions
The appearance sparked immediate frenzy online. Attendees reported the crowd going “absolutely nuts,” and non-attendees expressed intense jealousy. Social media posts from the time highlighted the emotional high, with fans feeling “shaking” and describing it as “one for the books.” This moment not only fulfilled long-awaited in-person collaboration dreams but also fueled calls for a potential “folkmore” tour combining elements from folklore and evermore. The tour stop in London came just days after Swift dropped her tenth studio album Midnights on October 21, 2022. Videos from the night, capturing the raw energy, quickly spread across the internet.