Why were Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna cancelled?

Three Taylor Swift concerts that were scheduled to take place in Vienna, Austria, this weekend have been canceled.

The decision was made after the government confirmed a planned attack at the Ernst Happe stadium, where the pop star was set to perform. Austrian authorities have arrested two individuals suspected of planning the attacks. According to Franz Ruf, the Director General of Public Security, one of the suspects, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, was apprehended 65 kilometers southwest of Vienna. The authorities stated that he had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in July and had a specific fixation on Taylor Swift concerts. They also mentioned that preparatory actions were identified during the investigation, and the suspect’s residence has been searched, with his belongings being analyzed. However, no details have been provided about the second suspect.

The concerts, part of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, were scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with an expected attendance of around 65,000 people each night. The Eras Tour began on March 17, 2023, in the United States and is set to conclude on December 8 in Canada. Following the cancellation of the Vienna dates, Swift’s next scheduled performance will be in London, where she is set to perform six shows at Wembley Stadium starting on August 15.

Official statements and security measures

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said the situation in Vienna was “very serious.” In a post on his X account, Nehammer stressed that although the cancellation was “a bitter disappointment for all Austrian fans,” a “tragedy had been avoided.” The chancellor also thanked the police and foreign services for their help. “Islamist terrorism threatens security and freedom in many Western countries. That is precisely why we will not give up on our values but will defend them even more vehemently. (...) It is important to remain vigilant, united and take decisive action against Islamism,” he added.

Barracuda Music, the company in charge of the three events in Austria, also confirmed the news. “With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at the stadium, we have no choice but to cancel all three shows for the safety of everyone,” they posted on their Instagram account. The company also added that all tickets would be automatically refunded.