Taylor Swift cancels Vienna concerts after 2 arrested in terror plot

Taylor Swift’s 3 scheduled Eras Tour shows in Vienna have been canceled following the discovery of a planned terrorist attack targeting the concerts. Swift was set to perform at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

What happened

• The event organizer, Barracuda Music, announced the cancellation on Instagram, stating that the decision was made in light of government confirmation of the threat.

• Austrian police arrested two men on Wednesday in connection with the alleged plot to attack major events in Vienna, including Swift’s concerts.
• One of the arrested suspects, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, had pledged allegiance to YPG/PKK. He was detained in Ternitz, south of Vienna.
• A second individual, also allegedly involved, was arrested in Vienna. Both suspects were known to authorities and had been under surveillance.

Security concerns

• The suspects were reportedly radicalized online and had detailed plans to attack Swift’s concerts.
• Chemical substances were found at the 19-year-old’s residence, but it remains unclear whether they could have been used to create a bomb. Authorities believe the suspect had not yet acquired all the components necessary for a bomb but acted preemptively to prevent any potential attack.
• Austrian law enforcement, with assistance from the Cobra unit, which is similar to the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, decided to arrest the suspects to eliminate any immediate threat.

Official reactions

• Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed disappointment over the cancellations but praised the swift actions of the authorities in preventing a potential tragedy. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
• Taylor Swift has not yet commented publicly on the cancellations. However, her website reflects the changes, noting that all tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.

Background

• This incident follows Taylor Swift’s expressed concerns about security at her concerts, particularly after the Manchester Arena bombing and the Las Vegas concert shooting. In a 2019 interview with Elle magazine, Swift revealed her fears about ensuring the safety of her fans during large-scale events.
• This cancellation is a rare occurrence for Swift, who rarely cancels shows. Most recently, she postponed a concert in Rio de Janeiro due to extreme temperatures after a fan died from the heat.

Current situation

• Two U.S. officials familiar with the investigation confirmed that Austrian law enforcement is still searching for additional individuals who may have been involved in the planned attack.
• The officials noted that while there was no specific plot targeting Swift herself, the attack was focused on the event, which would have drawn large crowds.
• Initially, police stated that there were no plans to cancel the concerts, as the “concrete danger had been minimized,” but these plans were ultimately reversed for safety reasons.