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

Taylor Swift's highly anticipated Eras Tour concerts in Vienna, Austria were abruptly canceled due to an alleged planned terrorist attack

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stops in Vienna, Austria came to a halt in 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 planned attack was confirmed by Austrian authorities, who emphasized the severity of the potential threat.

“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 Times reported.

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, per NBC.

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?

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 a statement on 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?

Authorities decided to cancel the concerts after uncovering detailed plans for the attack. The official Taylor Nation account shared Barracuda Music's post on Instagram Stories, which stated, "With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety."

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

Who are the suspects in the alleged attack?

According to authorities, the primary suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian, admitted to planning the attack, intending to kill himself and many others at the concert, according to NBC. Authorities found large quantities of chemicals, detonators, explosives and 21,000 euros of counterfeit money at his apartment, CNN reported.

"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, per Le Monde.

The 19-year-old wanted to “kill as many people as possible,” authorities added, according to the 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 to Le Monde.

The 15-year-old was ultimately released, The New York Times reported on Aug. 9, and is being treated as a witness. Authorities determined he was not involved in the plot but knew of many details and corroborated crucial information of the main suspect’s confession.

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?

Swift has not publicly commented on the canceled Vienna shows. However, in an interview with Elle in 2019, the Grammy winner expressed her fear of violence and terrorist attacks at concerts, referencing two incidents in 2017: the Manchester Arena bombing at an Ariana Grande concert 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?

The cancellation of the Vienna shows has led to increased security measures for the remainder of Swift's Eras Tour, which is planned to conclude in December. Authorities have ramped up surveillance and added more security personnel at her concerts, Austrian police told PEOPLE in a statement.

Despite the unfortunate events in Vienna, Swifties have shown resilience, gathering in the city to 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 official Instagram account, writing: “Dear Swifties, we feel for you.”

“We’re devastated for all the Swifties who wanted to see Taylor Swift in Vienna,” the caption read. “While it’s a hard pill to swallow, let’s connect in the comments and turn your Vienna trip into something special!”

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. 

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