Organizers have canceled three Taylor Swift concerts in Austria after authorities arrested two suspects for allegedly planning a terror attack during the Vienna leg of her blockbuster Eras tour. The extraordinary decision, which could come at significant cost to Vienna’s businesses, has devastated fans and renewed focus on the vulnerability of huge concerts as soft targets for terror networks and spree killers.
Planned Taylor Swift Concerts and Arrests
Swift was scheduled to perform three shows in Vienna from Thursday to Saturday at the Ernst Happel Stadium. However, Barracuda Music, the promoter for Swift’s concerts in Austria, announced the cancellation of these shows following confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack.
“We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety,” Barracuda Music stated online. Taylor Swift’s official website also listed the concerts as canceled.
Austrian police arrested a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, identified as an ISIS sympathizer, in Ternitz, Lower Austria. Another arrest was made in Vienna. The suspects, who had become radicalized via the internet, undertook “concrete preparatory measures” for a terrorist attack. Authorities found chemical substances at the 19-year-old’s home, which are being evaluated.
Impact on Fans and the Local Economy
Canceling these high-profile shows is a significant decision for Viennese authorities, especially considering the economic boost Swift’s concerts bring. The Eras Tour has made headlines for influencing local economies significantly, including an estimated $1 billion boost in the UK.
Vienna was set to be the penultimate venue of the European leg of Swift’s tour, before she heads to London’s Wembley Stadium and later Canada. Approximately 65,000 audience members were expected at each of Swift’s Vienna shows, with another 15,000 to 20,000 fans anticipated outside the stadium.
Fans have expressed both disappointment and relief over the situation. Many had traveled to Vienna specifically for the concerts, only to be left heartbroken by the sudden cancellation. Vanessa Szombathelyi, a fan who traveled from Ireland, shared her mixed emotions of “tears and anger,” while feeling grateful the suspects were apprehended.
Security Concerns at Concerts
This incident highlights the ongoing threat of terror attacks at large public events, similar to previous attacks on music venues in Europe. In November 2015, ISIS gunmen attacked the Bataclan theater in Paris, and in May 2017, the group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England.
Swift has previously expressed concerns about such threats. In a 2019 essay for Elle Magazine, she described her fear of attacks like the Manchester Arena bombing and the Las Vegas concert shooting, which led to extensive planning and measures to ensure fan safety during her tours.
Conclusion
The cancellation of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna underscores the challenges and complexities of ensuring safety at large-scale events. As authorities continue to investigate the foiled plot, fans are left to cope with the disappointment while appreciating the preventative measures taken to ensure their safety.
Tickets for the canceled shows will be automatically refunded within the next ten business days. Swift’s Eras Tour will continue as planned, with upcoming performances at Wembley Stadium in London before concluding in Canada.
