The pop star’s three-night stop in the Austrian capital did not push through due to a terror plot.
As she wrapped up the last of her Europe shows, Taylor Swift finally shared her thoughts on the cancelled Vienna shows.
The three-night stop was supposed to happen on August 8 to 10 at the Ernst Happel Stadium. However, concert organizer Barracuda Music made an announcement that it was being cancelled on the day of the first show.
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Precautionary Measures
According to their post, government officials confirmed a planned terrorist attack at the stadium. When one of the suspects was arrested, he confessed to planning the attack. Two other suspects, all of them between the ages of 17 and 19, were also arrested.
“He wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium, killing as many people as possible using the knives or even using the explosive devices he had made,” said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence.
Fans were understandably disappointed, as they had been looking forward to these shows for about a year. Many also spent money on flights and hotels aside from the concert itself. Most, however, were relieved that they were safe rather than sorry.
Aside from a full refund, Swift also gifted her fans who were missing out on the Eras Tour with free Swarovski necklaces. All fans had to do was show their ticket to any of the Vienna shows.
Though stocks ran out eventually, latecomers could still come in and avail of a special discount at the shop.
Other establishments also offered free or discounted food and drinks, free museum entry, and more Swift-themed attractions.
Swifties gathered on the streets of the city over the weekend, singing songs in the setlist together, trading friendship bracelets, and even getting engaged.
‘Devastating’ Cancellation
Now at the end of the Europe leg of her tour, Swift has finally addressed the cancelled Vienna shows personally.
“Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows,” she wrote on Instagram.
“But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives. I was heartened by the love and unity I saw in the fans who banded together.”
Swift and her team worked with stadium staff and British authorities to ensure the safety of her fans in London.
“Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows,” she added.
“In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to. My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and it is with great relief that I can say we did that.”
Swift wrapped up her Europe tour at London’s Wembley Stadium. She also broke the record for playing the most shows at the venue in a single tour. Aside from the five shows in August, the singer already stopped by London back in June, playing three shows.
Banner image via Instagram @taylorswift.
