Hundreds of Taylor Swift fans unite in Vienna after concert cancellations

Police maintained a vigilant presence as hundreds of Taylor Swift fans gathered in the Austrian capital on Thursday, singing her songs even though their hopes of seeing her live performance were suddenly shattered.

Organizers had announced the cancellation of three sold-out concerts in Vienna, which were part of Swift’s Eras Tour. The decision came after officials disclosed arrests related to a potential plot to attack her shows, allegedly inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida.

The Ernst Happel Stadium, which was supposed to welcome up to 65,000 attendees, stood deserted on Thursday, except for media crews filming outside. Later in the day, fans converged on Corneliusgasse, a quaint street only 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the stadium, to trade friendship bracelets and share their disappointment over the cancellations. These bracelets, usually adorned with Swift’s song titles or popular phrases, are customarily exchanged at concerts among strangers.

The choice of Corneliusgasse was symbolic as its name bears a resemblance to “Cornelia Street,” a reflective synth-pop song from Swift’s 2019 album, “Lover.” The song references a street in Greenwich Village, New York City, where Swift rented a luxury apartment in 2016, a location now frequented by fans for selfies. “And I hope I never lose you, hope it never ends,” she sings in the chorus. “I’d never walk Cornelia Street again.”

Fans clapped, danced, and cheered while singing some of her songs and taking selfies with one another. Emotions ran high; some fans were cheerful, while others hugged and cried, expressing their heartbreak.

Swifties also adorned trees in the city center with bracelets. One police officer even had his uniform decorated with these colorful tokens.

As the rain began to fall, some fans started to disperse, perhaps finding solace in the thought that they might reunite another day.

Source: AP News