Taylor Swift’s three nights of concerts in Austria have been canceled following the arrest of two suspects, who reportedly had ties to ISIS, with plans to carry out a concert attack plot.
On Wednesday, Austrian concert promoter Barracuda Music said that the 34-year-old singer’s “The Eras Tour” Vienna shows were canceled “due to government officials confirmation of planned terrorist attack,” Variety reported.
“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 statement added.
Earlier in the day, police said the three Swift concerts would still take place August 8-10th in Vienna after authorities announced they had arrested a 19-year-old man who they said had pledged allegiance to ISIS, as well as another man, NBC News reported. Initial reports were that the concert would still happen and authorities let concert-goers know to expect delays and allow for extra time due to increased security measures.
Taylor Swift’s upcoming shows in Vienna have been cancelled due to threat posed by suspected ISIS-connected plot to attack the stadium. pic.twitter.com/K8PVdGIiST
— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 7, 2024
At a news conference, Vienna State Police Director Franz Ruf and Police Chief Gerhard Purstl said the two were reportedly planning attacks in the city, including the venue where Swift was performing. Authorities said both the men had become radicalized through the internet and had a detailed plan about how to carry out the attack, the outlet noted.
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Purstl also told reporters that “the concrete danger had been minimized,” but that an “abstract danger” remained, which pushed organizers to cancel the shows.
The 19-year-old was arrested after authorities raided the home in Ternitz where the teen was living with his parents where a bomb squad allegedly found chemical substances. The other man was arrested in Vienna, Rolling Stone noted. It is unclear at the time of this report if the material could have been used for bomb making.
Ticketholders will receive refunds in the next 10 days, Variety noted.
All three shows were sold out and mark the final leg of “Eras Tour” concerts. Swift is not scheduled to perform again until October when North American shows pick up again, starting in Miami. The “Eras Tour” will conclude on December 8 in Vancouver with the 152nd show.
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