Taylor Swift’s Vienna Shows Cancelled Due to Terror Threat

Taylor Swift’s upcoming concerts in Vienna have been abruptly canceled following the arrest of two suspects allegedly plotting a terrorist attack. The decision to cancel the three scheduled shows, which were set for Thursday through Saturday, comes after Austrian authorities intervened, citing safety concerns.

According to Barracuda Music, the promoter for Swift’s Austrian tour dates, the cancellation was made based on government confirmation of a planned attack at Ernst Happel Stadium. The promoter emphasized that the safety of fans was the top priority.

Police reported that a 19-year-old Austrian, who has ties to ISIS, was arrested in Ternitz, Lower Austria, while another suspect was detained in Vienna. The young man, radicalized online, reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS’s leader in July. Authorities found explosives and chemicals at the suspects’ homes, raising serious concerns about their intentions.

The cancelation impacts not just fans but also local businesses, as Swift’s concerts were expected to draw around 65,000 attendees each night, with additional crowds outside the stadium. The Eras Tour, which began in Glendale, Arizona in March 2023, has been a major economic boon for the cities it visits.

Swift’s official website confirmed the cancelation, and Barracuda Music announced that all tickets would be refunded within ten business days. Fans who had traveled to Vienna, like Vanessa Szombathelyi from Ireland, are expressing their disappointment and mixed emotions about the situation.

Concerts have increasingly become targets for terror attacks in recent years, following tragedies such as the 2015 Bataclan theater attack in Paris and the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. Swift has previously voiced her fears about such attacks, highlighting the extensive measures taken to ensure fan safety during her tour.