Taylor Swift fans, devastated by the cancellation of the sold-out Austrian leg of her Eras Tour, gathered in Vienna today to sing along to the star’s hits.
Many have been consoling each other after the shocking news emerged last night that police had foiled an Islamist terror attack on the shows, with the Austrian chancellor saying today that “a tragedy was averted”.
Fans expressed gratitude for being safe and understanding for why the concert was cancelled, but many had traveled from across Europe and were left broke after shelling out thousands of dollars to attend.
Disappointed Swifties have now vowed to ‘shake off the dust’ – a nod to the American singer’s 2014 song – and defiant fans took to the streets of the Austrian capital to make the most of things.
Images show dozens of fans sporting their elaborate concert outfits and friendship bracelets gathering and dancing around the city, while Swift-themed events have also been organised at clubs and other venues to try to make up for the cancellation.
Fans of American singer Taylor Swift, the Swifties, gather and sing around the Swiftie Tree on Cornelius Strasse in Vienna
A fan of American singer Taylor Swift, a Swiftie, proudly presents her numerous friendship bracelets
A Taylor Swift fan arranges her beaded bracelets at the Swiftie Tree on Cornelius Strasse
Fans will likely be encouraged after a statement emerged from a source close to Swift saying she hopes to return to Vienna “as soon as possible in the future.”
While fans described themselves as “sad Swifties” and said they were “heartbroken,” they also said they understood the authorities’ decision to cancel the shows.
Thousands of people gathered around Stephansplatz, the city’s central square, and were seen playing guitars and singing along to Swift’s music.
Crowds of fans gathered on Cornelius Strasse around a tree known as the “Swiftie tree.”
The tree became a shrine of sorts as Swifties tied their friendship bracelets (which have become a must-have item at the star’s concerts) to its branches.
Many were still smiling and proudly wearing their outfits, often associated with Swift’s songs, in the Austrian capital.
Fans will likely be encouraged after a statement emerged from a source close to Swift saying she hopes to return to Vienna “as soon as possible in the future.”
“She is very aware of how disappointed her fans in Austria are,” the source told The Mirror.
But when news of the cancellation broke last night, Swifties took to social media to express their displeasure and lament months of preparation for the performance.
Many spent thousands of euros on travel, hotels and food in one of the most expensive European capitals.
Swifties exchange bracelets in the centre of Vienna
Fans were still smiling today and wearing their concert outfits even though the shows were cancelled.
Jenny, a Swift fan from Vienna, exchanges bracelets in the city centre
Many spent thousands of euros on travel, hotels and food in one of the most expensive European capitals.
Fans of American singer Taylor Swift, the Swifties, arrange their beaded bracelets at the Swiftie Tree on Cornelius Strasse in Vienna
One mother said: “I am shocked and at the same time glad that they found out. We would have been there tomorrow. My little daughter is crying so bitterly.”
Annmarie Timmins, a journalist who traveled from the United States for Thursday’s program, said she and her husband were waiting for the subway after dinner when they heard the news.
“I can’t believe it,” she said. “There was a little girl with her mom who looked very sad, even more so than me. I gave her one of my bracelets. I wanted to hug her.”
For Norwegian Swift fan Fredrikke Blekastad, it was the second time he tried to attend a concert. The first time, it was cancelled due to the pandemic.
“We had planned to get up very early, queue up and go all the way to the front to see it,” Blekastad told Norwegian broadcaster NRK, but “nothing will come of that either.”
Other Norwegian fans, Jenny Moltubakk and Marie Hov Aanæs, told NRK of their disappointment.
Taylor Swift fans ‘take it out’ on the streets of Vienna after concert cancellation
Swifties exchange bracelets in the centre of Vienna
Fans were seen playing guitars and singing together.
“At first we were in shock when we saw the message, I couldn’t believe it,” Moltubakk told the broadcaster. “It’s very strange when something you’ve been waiting for for a whole year is suddenly cancelled.”
“I’m very disappointed, to be honest, but I understand that safety is the most important thing,” she added.
Aanæs said, “We need to get this over with.”… We’re actually very grateful that security was tightened enough for them to be able to sort this out,” Aanæs told NRK.
Meanwhile, Vienna’s U4 club says it will offer free entry to all ticket holders, saying in an Instagram post: “This really sucks for a lot of people, whether visitors who have been waiting for it for years or for everyone who worked for the event.”
Vienna’s U4 club announces that it will offer free entry to all ticket holders
The club said that while it did not make up for the disappointment, it would allow anyone with proof of ticket purchase to get free entry on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Swiftie Nights Vienna, which was organising pre- and post-parties for the concerts, said it had immediately checked with police whether it was still safe to hold its planned events after the news emerged last night.
In a statement, X said local police and security services had informed them that it would be safe to go ahead with the planned events and that patrols in the area would be increased.
“We know all too well that our community is in shock and looking for opportunities to be together right now and we are grateful to have had this event planned that will make that possible,” organizers said, adding: “We will take additional safety measures to ensure the safety of all attendees.”
