Taylor Swift Admits to Feeling ‘Fear’ and ‘Guilt’ After Vienna Show Cancellations

For the first time, Taylor Swift has shared her emotional response after three Eras Tour dates in Vienna were canceled earlier this month. She expressed that the cancellations filled her “with a new sense of fear” and tremendous guilt.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Swift celebrated the conclusion of the European leg of her tour, which ended on Tuesday at London’s Wembley Stadium. She described the “rollercoaster of emotions” she experienced during this period.

“Having our Vienna shows canceled 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,” she said, marking her first public comments on the situation.

Swift also expressed gratitude towards the authorities, stating, “I was grateful to the authorities because, thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.”

According to Austrian officials, two men were arrested for plotting a terrorist attack. One of the suspects had recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic State online and had targeted the Eras Tour as a potential site for the attack. Nearly 200,000 people were expected to attend the Vienna concerts scheduled to begin on August 8.

“I was heartened by the love and unity I saw in the fans who banded together,” Swift continued. “I decided that all of my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people who were coming to see the shows in London.”

She addressed her lack of public statements following the cancellations, explaining that her primary concern was ensuring the safe conclusion of the Eras Tour.

“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.”

Swift elaborated, “In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to.”

She emphasized that her priority was to safely conclude the European tour, expressing relief at successfully doing so. “It is with great relief that I can say we did that. And then London felt like a beautiful dream sequence. 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.”

In a subsequent caption, Swift thanked her surprise guests Ed Sheeran, Florence Welch, and Jack Antonoff, as well as her loyal fans.

“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.”