LONDON (CelebrityAccess) – Taylor Swift has spoken out after the cancellation of her three Eras Tour dates in Vienna following a thwarted terrorist attack that led to the arrest of two men. Swift addressed the situation in an Instagram post that commemorated the conclusion of the European leg of her tour, which ended with five sold-out shows at London’s Wembley Stadium. She revealed that the cancellations overwhelmed her with emotions and instilled a deep sense of fear and guilt, given how many fans had planned to attend.
Swift shared her feelings, writing, “Walking onstage in London was a rollercoaster of emotions. Having our Vienna shows canceled 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 going to those shows. But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.”
She reflected on the decision to stay silent in the immediate aftermath of the cancellations, explaining that she focused on ensuring the safety of nearly half a million fans who attended the London shows. “I decided that all of my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people I had coming to see the shows in London. My team and I worked hand in hand with stadium staff and British authorities every day in pursuit of that goal, and I want to thank them for everything they did for us. 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.”
Swift acknowledged that some fans may have wondered why she didn’t issue a statement immediately following the cancellations. She explained that her silence was a form of restraint, as she prioritized the safe conclusion of the European tour. “In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to,” she wrote. “My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and it is with great relief that I can say we did that. And then London felt like a beautiful dream sequence. All five crowds at Wembley Stadium were bursting with passion, joy, and exuberance. The energy in that stadium was like the most giant bear hug from 92,000 people each night, and it brought me back to a place of carefree calm up there.”
The Vienna shows were initially scheduled at the Ernst Happel Stadium on August 8-10. However, authorities made the difficult decision to cancel the concerts after two men were arrested in Ternitz, just outside Vienna. Among the suspects was a 19-year-old who had pledged allegiance to ISIS and was living with his parents. The police raided his home, discovering various chemicals and substances that were being tested to determine if they could be used to create a bomb. According to authorities, the men had recently been radicalized online and had specific plans for an attack during Swift’s concerts.
At first, the authorities believed the concerts could proceed with enhanced security measures. However, as more information emerged, they canceled the shows entirely. Austrian Police Chief Gerhard Purstl stated that while the concrete danger had been minimized, an “abstract danger” remained. The concert promoter, Barracuda Music, confirmed the cancellation: “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Vienna Shows canceled due to government officials confirmation of planned terrorist attack… we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.”
After concluding the European leg of her tour, Swift took to social media to thank the surprise guests who joined her on stage in London, including Ed Sheeran, Florence Welch, and Jack Antonoff. She also profoundly appreciated the fans, saying, “To the fans who have seen us this summer, you’ll always have the most sparkling place in my memories. You were a dream to perform for, dance with, and share those magical moments with. We’ll see you all again when we resume The Eras Tour in October, but for now, we get to take a much-needed rest. Thank you for the adventure of a lifetime. May it continue…”
Swift’s heartfelt message underscores the gravity of the situation that led to the cancellations and highlights her commitment to the safety of her fans. The Vienna cancellations marked a sad moment in what has otherwise been a wildly successful tour, with the European leg culminating in London. Despite the challenges, Swift focused on ensuring her fans were protected, and her gratitude for the authorities’ intervention was evident.
As Swift prepares to resume The Eras Tour in North America later this year, the upcoming shows in Toronto and Vancouver will undoubtedly continue the adventure she described, with fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this record-breaking tour.
