Taylor Swift has shared her feelings of fear and guilt following the cancellation of her concert dates in Vienna due to a terror threat. In an Instagram post, she described the situation as “devastating” and expressed concern for the fans who had planned to attend the shows.
The three concerts, scheduled for August 8, 9, and 10, were canceled after authorities arrested three individuals linked to a plot inspired by the Islamic State group. Swift stated that the news filled her with “a new sense of fear” and a “tremendous amount of guilt” for the many fans who had made travel plans.
In her post, Swift expressed gratitude to the authorities for their swift action, saying, “Thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.” She emphasized the importance of safety for her fans, stating, “I decided that all my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people I had coming to see the shows in London.”
Swift explained her decision to wait to address the cancellations until after completing the European leg of her Eras Tour. She stated, “Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows.”
She added that in situations like this, “silence” can be a form of restraint, and it is essential to wait for the right moment to express oneself. Swift concluded, “My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and I am relieved to report that we did that.”
Following the cancellation, Swift performed eight shows at Wembley Stadium in London, setting a record for the most performances by a solo artist at the venue, previously held by Michael Jackson. Her next concert is scheduled for October 18 in Miami, Florida.
The cancellation of the Vienna shows impacted over 150,000 fans, many of whom traveled from around the world to attend. While refunds are being offered, many fans are left feeling disappointed and concerned about their travel expenses. Despite the challenges, Swift’s dedicated fanbase remains loyal, eager for future opportunities to see her perform.
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