Why Were Taylor Swift's Vienna Shows Canceled? What We Know About the Alleged Terror Plot, So Far

Mar. 15, 2025

Taylor Swift performs onstage during “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at Allianz Parque on November 24, 2023 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.Photo:Buda Mendes/TAS23/Getty

Buda Mendes/TAS23/Getty

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stops in Vienna, Austriacame to a haltin August 2024 after authorities derailed an alleged planned terrorist attack targeting the concerts.

Swift was set to perform three shows in Vienna from Aug. 8 to 10. However, on the evening of Aug. 7, the concert promoter, Barracuda Music,announced the cancellation, writing that they had “no choice but to cancel” the three performances in order to prioritize the safety of all attendees.

“The suspects had very specific and detailed plans to cause a tragedy on the scale of Paris, Manchester or Moscow,” Karl Nehammer, the chancellor of Austria, said at a news conference on Aug. 8,The New York Timesreported.

The suspects intended to use “explosives and knives” to cause mass casualties, authorities said at the conference, leading to the cancellation of Swift’s scheduled shows.

“The situation was serious, the situation is serious. But we can also say: A tragedy was prevented,” Interior Minister Gerhard Karner told reporters, perNBC.

In the days since, Austrian officials have arrested three suspects in connection with the planned attack.

Here’s everything we know so far about the alleged plotted attack on Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna and what it means for the rest of the Eras Tour.

What happened in Vienna with Swift’s Eras Tour concerts?

Taylor Swift performs onstage during night two of “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at La Defense on May 10, 2024 in Paris, France.Kevin Mazur/TAS24/Getty

Kevin Mazur/TAS24/Getty

On Aug. 7, Austrian authorities confirmed the arrest of two men planning an attack on Swift’s concerts at the Ernst Happel Stadium, scheduled from Aug. 8 to 10, which were expected to bring in nearly 200,000 attendees over the course of the three shows.

The suspects intended to use explosives and knives to cause mass casualties, forcing the cancellation of the shows for safety reasons, according to officials.

“Both suspects had become radicalized on the internet and had taken concrete preparatory actions for a terrorist attack,” Austrian authorities wrote in German in astatementon Aug. 7. “The main suspect had sworn an oath of allegiance to IS [Islamic State] on the Internet and chemical substances were seized in his apartment during a house search.”

Why were all three of Swift’s Vienna shows canceled?

Taylor Swift performs onstage for night one of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on July 07, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.John Shearer/TAS23/Getty

John Shearer/TAS23/Getty

The post also noted that all ticket purchases were to be automatically refunded, and a similar note about refunds was added on the Eras Tourwebsite.

Who are the suspects in the alleged attack?

“His aim was to kill himself and a large number of people during the concert either today or tomorrow,” Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of Austria’s Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, told reporters at a press conference, perLe Monde.

The 19-year-old wanted to “kill as many people as possible,” authorities added, according tothe Associated Press.

A second suspect, a 17-year-old who worked at a facility management company “providing services” to the stadium and a 15-year-old boy, who “refused to speak with authorities,” were also detained on Aug. 7, according toLe Monde.

A third suspect, who is believed to be connected to the main suspect, was arrested on Aug. 9. While authorities believe he was not part of the planned attack, he was closely connected to the plotters and had sworn an oath to the Islamic State.

Has Swift said anything about the situation?

Taylor Swift performs onstage during “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at Volksparkstadion on July 23, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany.Gregor Fischer/TAS24/Getty

Gregor Fischer/TAS24/Getty

Swift has not publicly commented on the canceled Vienna shows. However, in an interviewwithEllein 2019,the Grammy winner expressed her fear of violence and terrorist attacks at concerts, referencing two incidents in 2017: the Manchester Arena bombing at anAriana Grandeconcert and the Las Vegas concert shooting.

“I was completely terrified to go on tour this time because I didn’t know how we were going to keep 3 million fans safe over seven months," she said.

Swift emphasized the extensive planning and security measures taken to keep her fans safe during tours in light of the attacks.

“There was a tremendous amount of planning, expense, and effort put into keeping my fans safe,” she added.

What does this mean for the rest of the Eras Tour?

Taylor Swift performs at Estadio da Luz on May 24, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal.Pedro Gomes/TAS24/Getty

Pedro Gomes/TAS24/Getty

Despite the unfortunate events in Vienna, Swifties have shown resilience,gathering in the cityto sing her songs, trade friendship bracelets and share their support. The Vienna Tourist Board has also extended a warm welcome to Swift’s fans, posting on its officialInstagram account, writing: “Dear Swifties, we feel for you.”

On the account’s Instagram Stories, the tourist organization showcased alternative entertainment options to those who had traveled for the concerts, including special “Swifties” events, free tickets to music venue U4, free food items at partnering brands and recommendations for sightseeing.

source: people.com