In a lengthy post made to Instagram yesterday, the 35-year-old superstar described the cancellation as “devastating” and said that the terrorist attack threat filled her with a “new sense of fear”.
“Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating.” she writes. “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.”
The ‘Shake it Off’ singer added that she felt “heartened by the love and unity” of Vienna fans who joined together on the streets to sing Taylor’s music in solidarity with each other.
“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.”
Speaking on why she remained silent on the issue for so long, Swift wrote: “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.”
“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.”
Swift described the following Wembley shows as “the most giant bear hug from 92,000 people each night,” saying the shows brought her immense comfort following the incident in Vienna.
“We’ll see you all again when we resume The Eras Tour in October, but for now we get to take a much needed rest. Thank you for the adventure of a lifetime. May it continue…” she signs off.
Swift was forced to cancel three nights worth of shows in Austria's capital after a young man was arrested for allegedly plotting a terrorist attack in the region, focusing on the concert.
The main suspect, a 19-year-old Islamic state sympathiser, uploaded a video to social media swearing allegiance to the current Islamic state group leader and was allegedly plotting an attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium with two other young men.
The completely sold-out shows in Vienna were set to see around 195,000 fans over the three nights and a possible extra 60,000 non-ticket holders outside the venue.
