Taylor Swift said cancelling her dates in Vienna was ‘devastating’ (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management )
Taylor Swift has addressed the cancellations of her Eras Tour dates in Vienna over a foiled terror attack for the first time on Instagram.
The 34-year-old had been scheduled to play at the Austrian capital’s Ernst Happel Stadium in early August, but the three sold-out shows were cancelled after police reportedly uncovered a plot by terrorists.
The Lavender Haze megastar said pulling the dates were ‘devastating’ and ‘filled me with a new sense of fear’ in a statement published on Instagram.
She also addressed her initial silence after the cancellation and said she did not want to speak publicly if it would provoke those ‘would want to harm the fans who come to my shows.’
On social media, Taylor said: ‘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.
Taylor said the foiled terror attack filled her with a ‘new sense of fear’ (Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images)
‘But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.’
The Lover singer said she was ‘heartened by the love and unity’ she saw from fans who ‘banded together’ after the news broke.
‘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.
Taylor also addressed online criticism for not issuing a statement after the Vienna shows were cancelled. (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)
Taylor also addressed online criticism for not issuing a statement after the Vienna shows were cancelled.
‘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 said.
‘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.’
Taylor said she expressed herself when it felt ‘right’ to do so (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)
The cancelled Vienna dates formed part of the European leg of Taylor’s Eras Tour, which concluded on Tuesday.
She made Wembley Stadium history as the first solo artist to perform eight times in a single tour, a record previously held by Michael Jackson for his Bad Tour in 1988.
‘It was the most dizzying honour to become the first solo artist to play Wembley eight times in one tour,’ the Karma singer said.
Taylor said she felt a ‘rollercoaster of emotions’ walking on stage in London, with five shows closing the tour in the last week after three in June, but described it as ‘a beautiful dream sequence’.
Ed joined his longtime pal Taylor on stage at Wembley (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)
‘All five crowds at Wembley Stadium were bursting with passion, joy, and exuberance,’ she said.
‘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.’
She described performing new track Florida!!! with Florence Welch from Florence + The Machine as ‘unforgettable’, while bringing Ed Sheeran on stage ‘took me right back to our old Red Tour memories.’
Taylor signed off the post, writing: ‘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.’
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