Three of Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated concerts in Vienna have been canceled after authorities detained two individuals suspected of planning a terror attack during the European leg of her Eras tour. The abrupt decision, which could have a significant impact on local businesses, has left fans devastated and highlighted concerns about the security of large-scale events. Swift was set to perform in Vienna from Thursday to Saturday, but all three shows have now been called off, according to Barracuda Music, the tour’s Austrian promoter.
Barracuda Music announced the cancellation of Taylor Swift’s three Vienna concerts following confirmation from government officials about a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium. The decision, made for public safety, was confirmed on Wednesday. Swift’s official website reflects the cancellations, and CNN has reached out for a statement from her team.
In a press conference, authorities revealed that a 19-year-old Austrian, an ISIS sympathizer, was arrested in Ternitz, Lower Austria, with another arrest occurring later in Vienna. The suspects, radicalized online and pledging allegiance to ISIS, had made concrete preparations for an attack. Police discovered explosives and chemical substances at the 19-year-old’s home, which are currently being analyzed.
Police Investigate Vienna Concert Attack Plot, Further Arrests Made
Authorities believe that the intended target of the foiled terror attack was events in the Vienna region, police stated. On Wednesday, they also announced additional arrests, though no further details were provided.
Barracuda Music confirmed that all tickets for the canceled Taylor Swift concerts will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.
Swift’s Eras Tour, which began on March 18, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona, has set records and expanded globally, moving through the U.S., South America, Asia, and Australia before its current European dates. It is scheduled to return to North America later this year.
Shattered Fans
Canceling Taylor Swift’s three high-profile Vienna shows was undoubtedly a difficult decision for local authorities, given the significant economic boost her concerts typically provide. Swift’s tour has been known for its remarkable impact on local economies, including an estimated $1 billion boost to the UK economy alone, highlighting her immense star power and the phenomenon known as ‘Swiftonomics.’
Vienna was set to host the penultimate European leg of the tour, with Swift’s next stop planned for five nights at London’s Wembley Stadium before the tour heads to Canada for its final dates in November and December. Authorities had anticipated around 65,000 attendees per show, with an additional 15,000-20,000 fans expected outside the stadium.
Just a day before the Vienna cancellation, Swift had shared her excitement on Instagram after performing in Warsaw, Poland, saying, “I can’t believe we have 2 cities left on the European leg of The Eras Tour. It’s truly flown by. See you soon Vienna!”
The news has left fans shaken and disappointed, including those who traveled to Vienna specifically for the concerts. Vanessa Szombathelyi, 24, who journeyed from Ireland to Hungary with plans to drive to Vienna, expressed her deep frustration. “I’m feeling mixed emotions, everything from tears to being angry,” she told CNN, though she also acknowledged her relief that the suspects were apprehended.
Concerts as Vulnerable Targets
In recent years, music venues across Europe have increasingly been targeted by Islamist militants. Notably, in November 2015, ISIS gunmen carried out a coordinated attack on the Bataclan theater in Paris, killing at least 130 people. Similarly, in May 2017, a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, claimed 22 lives, with ISIS claiming responsibility for the attack.
Taylor Swift has openly expressed her fears regarding such attacks. In a 2019 Elle Magazine essay, she revealed her anxiety about touring following the Manchester bombing and the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, which resulted in 60 deaths. Swift detailed the extensive planning and security measures taken to protect her fans, and she admitted to carrying emergency first-aid supplies for her own safety.
