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Thousands of fans flood Vienna streets to sing Taylor Swift hits after canceled concerts
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Date:2025-04-17 22:17:29
Swifites from all over the world are creating community in Vienna — singing in the streets and placing friendship bracelets on a tree — after all three Eras Tour concerts there were canceled due to an alleged terrorist plot.
Thousands of Taylor Swift fans flooded Stephansplatz, a square named after Stephansdom, one of the tallest churches in the world. Shoulder to shoulder with cell phones raised in the air, similar to what you'd see at the three-plus-hour concert, fans sang some of the singer's biggest hits including "The Man," "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart," "22" and "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)."
"Going out to the streets of Vienna this morning was initially scary, but it was a great surprise to see Swifties gathering in the streets," said Maria Luís Monteiro, 24. Monteiro flew to Austria from Porto, Portugal, by herself after seeing the Eras Tour in Lisbon. She joined in Thursday morning with the throngs of fans belting lyrics. "The resilience and sense of community displayed was very inspiring and healing."
In a touching tribute to Swift's grandmother, fans in the same area were seen performing "Marjorie." During Swift's "Evermore" era, she sings the 3-minute song in honor of her late grandmother. As a sign of respect, the crowd turns on their cell phone flashlights. In Vienna on Thursday, fans raised their cell phone lights and whole-heartedly shouted the lyrics.
"We are all appreciative of the authorities' efforts and of everyone coming together and showing their solidarity," said Monteiro, adding she felt safe with a heavy police presence. "They arrived after the crowd formed and were there until it dispersed."
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The shows were canceled after officials thwarted an alleged terrorist attack meant for the concert venue. The 19-year-old suspect arrested admitted he intended to kill himself and fans.
More:Taylor Swift terrorist threat suspect confessed he intended to kill fans: Officials
A mile and a half from the downtown sing-a-long is Corneliusgasse, what fans have dubbed Austria's version of Cornelia Street, the title of a song Swift wrote on her seventh album "Lover." A pink sign has been zip tied in front of the "Friendship Bracelet Tree."
"Dear Swifties, Welcome to the friendship bracelet tree" the sign reads and tells Swifties to place some bracelets on the branches and take some. It also warns not to put too many on a single branch.
Swift has one more stop on the European leg of the Eras Tour: London. Police and city officials have confirmed that she is still set to perform five nights in Wembley Stadium.
Don't miss any Taylor Swift news; sign up for the free, weekly newsletter This Swift Beat.
Follow Taylor Swift reporter Bryan West on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.
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