Dave Grohl calls out Taylor Swift: “We actually play live”

Foo Fighters‘ Dave Grohl has called out Taylor Swift during a recent show – see footage below.

While performing at London Stadium on Saturday (June 22), Grohl pointed out that Swift was having her own concert down the road at Wembley. After a chorus of boos from fans, Grohl told the audience: “I tell you, man, you don’t want to suffer the wrath of Taylor Swift. So we like to call our tour the ‘Errors Tour.’”

Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl implies that Taylor Swift doesn’t play live during the band’s show in London:

“We like to call our tour the Errors Tour […] because we actually play live”

pic.twitter.com/O2FTdgGw8C

— Pop Base (@PopBase) June 23, 2024

Grohl jokingly added: “We’ve had more than a few eras, and more than a few fucking errors as well. Just a couple. That’s because we actually play live. What? Just saying. You guys like raw, live rock ‘n’ roll music, right? You came to the right fucking place.”

Taylor Swift has since seemingly responded to Grohl’s comments. After receiving a standing ovation at Wembley on Sunday night (June 23), Swift gave props to her band, subtly saying: “Every one of my band members, every single one of our crew, my band who’s gonna be playing live for you for 3.5 hours tonight, they deserve this so much. And so does every one of my fellow performers. And you just gave that to us so generously, we will never forget it.”

🏟️| Taylor shouts out her incredible band, crew, and fellow performers after the standing ovation 🫶

“Every one of my band members, every single one of our crew, my band who’s gonna be playing live for you for 3.5 hours tonight, they deserve this so much. And so does every one… pic.twitter.com/7E9CKcIAa4

— Taylor Swift Updates 🩶 (@swifferupdates) June 23, 2024

Grohl’s dig at Swift are rather surprising as the pair have gotten along well in the past. In 2018, he recalled the time Swift “saved” him at a party thrown by Paul McCartney.  According to Grohl, McCartney played a song on the piano, after which “everyone turned to me and said, ‘Alright Dave, play a song!’”

“I can’t play piano and I was a little out of sorts at that point,” he continued. “All of the guitars are left-handed and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, what do I do? What do I do?’ and at that point, Taylor Swift stands up and goes, ‘I’ll do a song’. So she saved my ass.”

While a reason for Grohl’s jab at Swift has yet to be pinpointed, several posts on social media are speculating that it is in response to Grohl’s daughter being cyber-bullied by droves of Swift’s fans earlier this year. After the 17-year-old posted about the singer flying her private jet everywhere, Violet was allegedly sent death threats and Swift had not spoken out against the actions of her fans.

Wow I wonder what prompted Dave Grohl to take a little swipe at Taylor Swift? I’m sure it’s totally unprovoked & not at all to do with his 17-year-old daughter being relentlessly trolled & sent death threats from Swifties because of this totally innocuous tweet back in January. pic.twitter.com/NJetVw9aa2

— Stephanie Soteriou (@StephanieRiou) June 23, 2024

Since footage of Grohl’s jab at Swift made its way onto social media, the former Nirvana drummer has drawn the ire of Swift fans (aka Swifties), while others have stood up for the veteran rocker.

See a handful of X posts – some criticising Grohl and some support him – below.

Dave Grohl attacking Taylor has broken my heart … lost all respect for him. How can you speak about the one person in pop music industry who is actually talented … plays their own instruments & songs live for 3 hours!!!!

— Soph 🌻 (@sophhpowell) June 23, 2024

Dave Grohl you will start to cough in three days….

is this “payback” bc swifties came for your cunt daughter when she shit talked taylor? bc you used to praise her 🤔
pic.twitter.com/gBzCaMc9T0

— kristin (@fearlesskristn) June 23, 2024

Dave Grohl found crying to his audience of 20 people https://t.co/ni84SIXCWz

— hailey (@nobodynoswift) June 23, 2024

so dave grohl from the @foofighters said at his show in london last night that taylor doesn’t play live….i used to love this man sm but wtf? what has she ever done to him? does he hate successful women and why did he have to say that in a stadium full of ppl

— lucy ⸆⸉ 🪐 (@lucysreputation) June 23, 2024

Dave Grohl thought he was ‘the man’ by implying Taylor doesn’t sing live but ended up coming off as a sad & insecure little man that is threatened by a bigger & more successful artist.
She has had more hits, sold more albums & performs live longer than Grohl could ever dream of https://t.co/tVuCKlD3bN

— Mikey Cole (@themikeycole) June 23, 2024

First Damon Albarn, now it’s Dave Grohl. Aging rockstars feeling threatened by a woman. Who’s afraid of little old Taylor Swift? These men are. pic.twitter.com/3z2tcMBvo5

— allyson (@wreckmyplants) June 23, 2024

Omg come on Dave Grohl made a little joke that can’t be the clip everyone is making a huge deal out of

— j (@downinahoIe) June 23, 2024

I’m sorry but Dave Grohl can do no wrong.

— your other mom (@difficultpatty) June 23, 2024

i was at a music festival once and the foo fighters were chilling on the beach and one of the acts was late. dave grohl heard about it, came up from the beach, got on stage and played covers until the act showed up. yeah dave grohl is such a dick.

— .:RiotGrlErin:. (@RiotGrlErin) June 23, 2024

the anti-dave grohl campaign has begun but that’s my man and imma stick beside him https://t.co/8TKdZRoXn6 pic.twitter.com/78dEMFftHs

— jade (@itsjustjadaxo) June 23, 2024

calling dave grohl pathetic is definitely a choice https://t.co/i42TMCnpBm pic.twitter.com/rWKz8EHSer

— rae 🪐 (@clitlord77) June 24, 2024

dave grohl get behind me… pic.twitter.com/Tt9x3f7Ikq

— madison (@madisonripIey) June 24, 2024

The Swifties trying to say Dave Grohl is irrelevant is actually insane. Like Dave Grohl, the member of not one but TWO of the most iconic bands of all time is irrelevant!? Seek God.

— samanthamcfarland (@SailorSammy93) June 24, 2024

The Edinburgh date of Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras’ tour received a five-star review from NME, with Hannah Mylrea writing: “Despite being an arena show, in a huge, cavernous venue, Swift and her fans have managed to cultivate a community. This is a marvel of a show that comes with a beating heart.”

Meanwhile, Foo Fighters’ recent Manchester concert scored then a four-star rating, with Rishi Shah writing for NME: “Approaching thirty years as a band, Foo Fighters have adapted in the face of any adversity, ensuring their stadium show remains cohesive, exemplary and simply untouchable. While others from their time might begin to creep towards legacy act territory, Foo Fighters remain as relevant and imperious as ever – they’re only going to need even more stadiums to fill.”