MUSIC
What security precautions and how many police officers are at a Taylor Swift concert?
The superstar’s European Eras Tour shows in Vienna had to be cancelled after news emerged of an attack.
If you’ve ever considered attending a Taylor Swift concert, you might think you’re in for an evening of catchy tunes and heartfelt lyrics. You’d be right. But what you might not have thought about, at least not until very recently, is the army of security personnel ensuring that she and her adoring fans stay safe. But given Swift’s meteoric rise to fame, her security operations now rival those of heads of state, and for good reason.
Taylor isn’t just a pop star. She’s a global phenomenon and huge influencer – hence why some people want her to speak out about the November elections – with 14 Grammys to her name. Over the years, she’s faced multiple stalkers, crazed fans, and not just at home in the US. Just this summer, she was forced to cancel three performances in Vienna after Austrian police uncovered a plot to cause mass harm outside her concert. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and her security team knows it.
How many bodyguards does Taylor Swift have?
While the exact number of bodyguards Swift employs remains a closely guarded secret, insiders suggest that her security detail is somewhat formidable. On her current Eras tour, it’s estimated she has 83 full-time Close Protection Officers (CPOs), with an additional 140 individuals stationed around venues when she needs access. And if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of her backstage, think again. Her personal guards operate in what the industry calls a “Quartet Formation,” with four CPOs flanking her at all times.
If you’re imagining a scene straight out of a spy movie, you’re not far off. Swift’s security team has even been rumoured to employ facial recognition technology at her concerts to weed out potential threats. It’s not exactly James Bond, but it’s close enough for comfort.
It’s also worth noting that Swift’s security team also collaborates with local law enforcement. When she landed in Cardiff, Wales, this June for her UK leg of the tour, her convoy of black-windowed cars was reportedly given a police escort to the Principality Stadium, possibly including the Metropolitan Police’s Special Escort Group. Yes, the one that is typically reserved for the Royal Family and visiting dignitaries.
Similarly in the States, Taylor’s security team liaises with local police whenever she attends public events, from football games to dinner dates. The Kansas City Chiefs games – you may have heard about her low-key relationship with Travis Kelce – had her with clear protection, especially at the highest of all profile games, the Super Bowl, and subsequent celebration parties.
What did Taylor Swift say after the attack threat?
Following the tour, Swift took to Instagram to share a message with her fans. She explained how being on stage in London was a “rollercoaster of emotions,” while the cancellation of the Vienna shows was “devastating.”
“The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt,” she said, “because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. 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 security helps ‘normal’ life
The security detail is not just about keeping Taylor safe. There’s also an element of maintaining her privacy and allowing her to live as normal a life as possible, despite her astronomical fame.
Swift’s bodyguards are highly trained, often coming from military or law enforcement backgrounds. They conduct meticulous research on every location she visits and every person she might encounter. And while they’re trained to stay out of the way, they’re always close enough to step in if something goes awry. As one security expert estimated, maintaining this level of security likely costs Swift upwards of $3 million a year.
Given the sheer number of people dedicated to keeping Taylor safe, it might seem like overkill to add her boyfriend, Kelce, into the mix. But according to the tight end himself, he’s always aware of his surroundings when he’s with his gal. “You’ve just gotta know where the exits are,” he said in a recent interview.