Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna may have been canceled but fans still flooded the streets to show their support for the singer.
On Thursday, which would have been the singer’s first night in Vienna, Swifties convened near Austria’s Ernst Happel Stadium to sing songs and trade friendship bracelets, an Eras Tour tradition.
In videos posted online, fans took over entire blocks as they belted out some of Swift’s biggest hits — such as “Cruel Summer,” “Champagne Problems,” “New Romantics” and more.
Despite the scary situation, the would-have-been concertgoers seemed to be in great spirits while dancing and mingling with other fans.
“People were crying, holding hands, singing along softly,” one woman told CNN of the scene. “It was such a beautiful moment, a pocket of beauty amidst the disappointment and anger.”
A few businesses also banded together to uplift the heartbroken fans. Several hotels offered free streamings of the “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” documentary while some restaurants and bars gave out free or heavily discounted food.
The famed Albertina Museum, one of Central Europe’s largest museums for modern art, also allowed ticketholders free entry for the weekend.
The “Fortnight” singer, 34, was scheduled to perform three sold-out shows in Vienna this weekend. However, she was forced to cancel her concerts after police foiled a terrorist plot targeting the venue.
“Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Vienna shows canceled due to government officials confirmation of planned terrorist attack,” an Instagram statement read on Wednesday. “With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.”
Austrian authorities also announced the arrest of a 19-year-old and a 17-year-old suspect, whom they believe have connections to ISIS.
On Thursday, the head of Austria’s Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, revealed the older suspect planned “to carry out an attack” at Swift’s concert “using explosives and knives.”
“His aim was to kill himself and a large number of people during the concert either today or tomorrow,” Haijawi-Pirchner said, per NBC News.
The teens reportedly planned to drive a bomb-filled car into the crowd, using self-made explosives and machetes to kill as many concertgoers as possible.
The 19-year-old had chemical substances — such as hydrogen peroxide — and detonators in his home, which he reportedly shared with his parents.
Meanwhile, the younger suspect was reportedly recently hired as security for the concert venue.
The two men are believed to have been radicalized online by ISIS. Investigators reportedly found extensive material related to the Islamic State and al Qaeda while searching the 17-year-old’s residence.
A 15-year-old was also arrested, however, his role in their sinister plans has not been revealed.
Swift has yet to speak out about the horrifying situation. In 2019, the 14-time Grammy winner admitted her “biggest fear” was a violent attack happening at one of her concerts.
