TFans of Aylor Swift in London are preparing for her return to the city as she is scheduled to play five concerts at Wembley Stadium between August 15 and 20. But with the uncovering of foiled terrorist attacks surrounding her three concerts in Vienna, Austria – and the subsequent cancellation of those concerts – many fans are wondering if the UK shows will go ahead.
Swift – named TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2023 – has not yet commented on the planned attack or her upcoming shows in London, the next installment of her Eras Tour – a series of concerts that has become the highest-grossing tour of all time, grossing over $1 billion.
As of Sunday, Swift’s official website shows that the London dates are still going ahead. In addition, several London officials have issued statements to inform the public that safety is their top priority and that they will “carefully review” new information.
“There is no indication that the matters being investigated by the Austrian authorities will have any impact on future events here in London,” a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police – the police force for Greater London – said in an emailed statement to TIME on Sunday.
“The Met is working closely with venue security teams and other partners to ensure appropriate security and policing plans are in place.”
On Thursday, British Police Minister Diana Johnson told British radio station LBC that the police were on high alert because of the shows in London.
“Of course the police will review all information and make decisions. They assess the risks of every event that happens in this country and that is a matter for the police,” Johnson said.
Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has confirmed that the Swift shows will take place in the English capital.
“We will continue to work closely with the police to ensure that the Taylor Swift concerts in London can go ahead safely,” Khan told Sky News.
Wembley Stadium has yet to release an official statement on new security measures surrounding Swift’s upcoming concerts, but the website’s Eras Tour-specific page states that “no one is permitted to stand outside any entrance or on the Olympic Steps outside the stadium.” This statement was already in place when the pop star arrived at Wembley in June.
On August 7, Swift’s three sold-out shows at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium were canceled by promoters after two people were arrested for allegedly planning a terrorist attack in Vienna, authorities said. During a press conference in the Austrian capital on Friday, it was announced that a third suspect had been arrested in connection with the foiled plot.
Concert promoter Baracuda Music informed fans that all tickets would be refunded. The same message was posted on Swift’s official website under the Vienna dates.
Read more: Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna cancelled after police uncovered a planned terrorist attack
Austrian authorities said one of the suspects, a 19-year-old Austrian, confessed to planning the attack. Related Press reported on August 8.
“He wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium and kill as many people as possible with the knives or even the explosives he had made himself,” said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the head of the Directorate for State Security and Intelligence.
The man, who lived with his parents in Ternitz south of Vienna, is said to have sworn “an oath of loyalty” to IS, Vienna State Police Director Franz Ruf told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.
The second suspect, a 17-year-old Austrian, had recently started working for a company that “provides services at the concert venue.” Authorities also found material from the terrorist group Islamic State and Al-Qaeda in his house.
The third suspect is an 18-year-old Iraqi citizen who is said to have had contact with the main suspect, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner told journalists at a press conference.
“Although he was in contact with the main perpetrator, he is not directly connected to the attack plans,” Karner said during the press conference. “But as was revealed a few days ago, he explicitly pledged his allegiance to IS on August 6.”
After the canceled shows, fans struggled with the loss of their moment to see the famous pop star and hear their favorite songs. A large crowd of disappointed fans gathered at Corneliusgasse, as the street name is reminiscent of “Cornelia Street,” the name of a popular pop song from Swift’s 2019 album. lover.
Fans exchanged friendship bracelets – a popular activity among Swift’s Eras Tour audiences – and sang songs.
