Taylor Swift discusses Vienna terror plot for first time: ‘Silence is actually showing restraint‘
“The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt”
Taylor Swift has opened up about the terror threat that led to the cancellation of her recent shows in Vienna for the first time.
Swift’s three shows in the Austrian capital were cancelled earlier this month, when police confirmed that two people had been arrested for allegedly plotting an attack at the gigs.
It was then revealed that her five gigs at London’s Wembley Stadium would go ahead. That run of shows ended this week (August 20), and Swift took to Instagram to mark the end of the European ‘Eras Tour’ and reference the Vienna cancellations.
“We have officially wrapped the European leg of The Eras Tour,” she began. “With it came the most passionate crowds I’ve ever played for, new traditions in the show, and an entirely new era added in. It was a more hectic pace than we’d done before, and I’m so proud of my crew/fellow performers for being able to physically perform that show and build our massive stage, take it apart, and make magic with so few days in between for recovery and travel. They’re the most impressive people I know and I’m so lucky they gave The Eras Tour their time, their energy, and their expertise.”
Going on to reference Vienna, Swift said: “Walking onstage in London was a rollercoaster of emotions. Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.
“I was heartened by the love and unity I saw in the fans who banded together. I decided that all of my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people I had coming to see the shows in London. My team and I worked hand in hand with stadium staff and British authorities every day in pursuit of that goal, and I want to thank them for everything they did for us. 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: “In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to. My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and it is with great relief that I can say we did that.
“And then London felt like a beautiful dream sequence. All five crowds at Wembley Stadium were bursting with passion, joy, and exuberance. The energy in that stadium was like the most giant bear hug from 92,000 people each night, and it brought me back to a place of carefree calm up there.”
Elsewhere, during the London run Swift met with two survivors from a stabbing attack in Southport, England, that targeted a Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop.