Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated Eras Tour concerts in Vienna were unexpectedly cancelled over the weekend following the discovery of an alleged terror plot targeting the performances.
Austrian authorities have since provided further insight into the potential attack that led to the cancellation of all three scheduled shows, initially planned for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
According to Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of Austria’s Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, the suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian male, was arrested after he admitted to planning a violent attack at one of Swift’s concerts.
During a news conference held on Thursday, August 8, Haijawi-Pirchner revealed that the suspect intended “to carry out an attack” using explosives and knives.
“His aim was to kill himself and a large number of people during the concert either today or tomorrow,” Haijawi-Pirchner stated, as reported by several news outlets, including NBC News, CNN, and Le Monde.
Investigators uncovered a range of alarming items at the suspect’s apartment, further solidifying the severity of the threat.
According to NBC News, authorities found hydrogen peroxide, detonators, detonator cables, and homemade explosives that had already been assembled. These findings highlighted the looming danger posed by the planned attack, which, fortunately, was thwarted in time.
Officials at the news conference also highlighted the suspect’s radicalization, indicating that he had been influenced by the Islamic State (IS).
Large concerts, like Swift’s, are often targeted by Islamist extremists. In this case, the suspect’s intentions aligned with such ideologies.
As noted by Austrian authorities, the 19-year-old had been “clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State,” further intensifying concerns about the potential devastation that could have unfolded at the event.
Two additional individuals were detained by authorities in connection with the primary suspect.
CNN reported that these suspects were in contact with others aware of the plot.
One of the detained individuals is a 17-year-old who worked at a facility management company set to provide services to the Ernst Happel Stadium, the intended venue for Swift’s concerts.
The other is a 15-year-old who was apprehended in the vicinity of the stadium and has, so far, refused to cooperate with authorities.
The Austrian government’s rapid response to the threat was made possible by a tip-off from a foreign intelligence agency.
CNN revealed that U.S. intelligence agencies were likely the ones to alert Austrian officials, allowing them to act swiftly and prevent a potentially catastrophic event.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stressed the earnestness of the situation during the press conference, stating, “The situation was serious, the situation is serious. But we can also say: A tragedy was prevented.”
The discovery of the terror plot led to the immediate cancellation of Swift’s Vienna shows, as confirmed by a promoter’s post re-shared on the official Taylor Nation account’s Instagram Stories.
The post cited “safety” as the primary reason for the cancellations.
It was clarified that all tickets purchased for the cancelled shows would be automatically refunded within 10 business days.
While Swift’s Vienna concerts were called off, her subsequent Eras Tour performances remained on schedule.
The next set of shows will occur in London from August 15-20, where fans hope for a safer and more secure environment.
Fans rally in support of Taylor Swift amid Vienna concert revocations
After the cancelled Eras Tour shows in Vienna, Taylor Swift’s fans, affectionately known as Swifties, have come together to express their unwavering support for the singer.
The decision to cancel the concerts, prompted by a credible terror threat, disappointed many fans and concerned for Swift’s safety.
Understanding the emotional significance of the song “Long Live” to Swift and her fanbase, a group of dedicated Swifties has launched a heartwarming initiative.
The track, originally part of Swift’s Speak Now album, was briefly included in the Eras Tour setlist following the release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) in July 2023 but was later removed to make room for another era in the show.
Recognizing Swift’s deep connection with this song, which she has often dedicated to her fans, the Swifties saw an opportunity to show their support.
Inside a TikTok video posted by user Serakaraa, the fan explains how another Swiftie came up with the idea to collectively stream “Long Live (Taylor’s Version)” as a gesture of solidarity.
The idea quickly gained traction within the fan community.
“If we stream it a lot in these next days, we can just maybe show her our support and how much we love her and how sad this is for all of us,” serakaraa shared, urging others to join the effort.
The video has resonated with many fans eager to participate in this movement to uplift Swift during this challenging time.
This initiative also reflects the shared anxieties between Swift and her fans.
The singer has previously spoken about the fear that gripped her following the tragic Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017 and the Las Vegas mass shooting later that year, both of which targeted music events.
Swift’s concerns about touring in the aftermath of these incidents are well-known, and the recent events in Vienna have undoubtedly stirred those memories.
Swift has not publicly commented on the cancellation of the Vienna shows. Still, the outpouring of love and support from her fans speaks volumes.