Taylor Swift is speaking out for the first time about the foiled terror attacks that resulted in her Eras Tour shows in Vienna being cancelled.
Three sold-out concerts at Ernst Happel Stadium were cancelled after two suspects, who appeared to have been inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida, were taken into custody on August 6, just two days before the first scheduled show.
According to AP News, investigators found materials for making bombs in one of their homes, and one of the suspects confessed to hoping to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue" with knives or explosives.
On August 8, a third suspect was arrested.
On Wednesday, two weeks after the planned attacks, Swift spoke out about the incident.
The singer took to Instagram after wrapping the European leg of the tour at London's Wembley Stadium, writing in a powerful and emotional post:
"In summation"
"We have officially wrapped the European leg of The Eras Tour."
She first acknowledged the fans and her crew.
"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."
The Grammy winner continued, addressing the Vienna cancellations.
"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."
Swift then touched on her reasons for not immediately making a statement following the cancellations.
"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."
The singer concluded:
"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."
You can see the post below.
People on social media thanked Swift for addressing the incident and for prioritizing fans' safety.
Several also called out those who were quick to shame the singer and her team for staying silent in the days that followed the cancellations.
@pinkpoetsclub/X
@corneliastagain/X
In the comments, Swift expressed her thanks to her surprise performers and to her fans once again.
"We had some EPIC surprise performances from my long time friends @teddysphotos, @florenceandthemachine, and @jackantonoff. Performing ‘Florida!!!’ with Flo for the first time was unforgettable and Ed took me right back to our old Red Tour memories."
"It was the most dizzying honor to become the first solo artist to play Wembley 8 times in one tour."
"To the fans who have seen us this summer, you’ll always have the most sparkling place in my memories. You were a dream to perform for, dance with, and share those magical moments with."
"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…
💚💛💜❤️🩵🖤🩷🩶🤎💙🤍"
We hope she enjoys her much-deserved break!
