Taylor Swift returns to the country music stage with awards show performance

Taylor performed a song from her new album Folklore at this year's Academy of Country Music Awards. Photo / Getty Images

Taylor Swift just made her first appearance performing on a country awards show since 2013.

She took to the stage to perform a song from her recent album Folklore on Wednesday night at the Academy of Country Music Awards, according to Variety.

CBS shared a clip of Swift performing her song Betty sitting on a stool with an acoustic guitar, only accompanied by a harmonica player.

Simply lit by front and rear spotlights, it wasn't immediately clear she was performing live from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

But like most of the award show's performances, it appeared to have been pre-recorded, with presenter Darius Rucker showing up on centre stage as soon as the song was over.

We'll have you, and we want you, @taylorswift13! It is so great to have Taylor back on the #ACMawards stage. Tune-in to @CBS to watch the show now! pic.twitter.com/nchgiiYzAV

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) September 17, 2020

The song Betty is a throwback to Swift's early country style, with a nostalgic narrative from a few different perspectives.

She made her mark as a country artist with hits like Love Story early in her career, and many fans are excited that Folklore seems to signal a return to her earlier style of music before her venture into pop.