Authorities abruptly canceled three of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna, Austria, after uncovering a foiled terror plot that was intended to target her Eras Tour. The concerts, scheduled from Thursday to Saturday, were called off for safety reasons, according to Barracuda Music, the promoter for the Austrian shows.
Authorities arrested a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, described as an ISIS sympathizer, who had been planning the attack. The suspect was apprehended in Ternitz, Lower Austria, with another arrest made later in Vienna. The police found chemical substances at the suspect’s home, indicating concrete preparations for the attack.
The cancellation of the concerts, which were expected to draw around 65,000 attendees per show, has left fans heartbroken and raised concerns about the vulnerability of large events to terrorist attacks. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized that a tragedy had been prevented.
The cancellation marks a significant disruption in Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour, which has been a major economic boost for the cities it visits. Fans who had traveled to Vienna for the concerts expressed their disappointment but also relief that the suspects were apprehended before any harm could occur.
The incident highlights the ongoing threat of terrorism at large public events, a fear that Swift herself has acknowledged in the past. In a 2019 she expressed her concerns about keeping her fans safe during tours, especially in light of previous attacks on music venues in Europe.
