Taylor Swift’s upcoming shows in London are set to go ahead with a huge increase in security, after the singer was forced to cancel her concerts in Vienna after a terror plot was foiled by police
The singer, 34, was due to perform in front of an estimated 170,000 fans on August 8, 9, and 10 in the Austrian capital, but was forced to cancel all three shows after the horrific attack – which threatened to claim ‘as many lives as possible’ – was exposed.
Now, it’s been confirmed by The Met Police that Taylor’s five concerts at Wembley Stadium, beginning on August 15, will go ahead as planned, and it’s thought that there will be added safeguarding measures, such as walk-through metal detectors.
It comes as brand expert Nick Ede also shared the so-called ‘Swiftonomics’ around the singer’s axed shows, and huge costs the star will have to foot from cancelling her three concerts.
A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘London plays hosts to a significant number of very high profile events each year with millions of visitors having a safe and enjoyable experience.
Taylor Swift’s shows in London are set to go ahead with a huge increase in security, after the singer was forced to cancel her concerts in Vienna after a terror plot was foiled by police
The singer was due to perform on August 8, 9, and 10 in the Austrian capital, but was forced to cancel all three shows afrer the terror plot was exposed
‘The Met works closely with venue security teams and other partners to ensure there are appropriate security and policing plans in place.
‘There is nothing to indicate that the matters being investigated by the Austrian authorities will have an impact on upcoming events here in London.
‘As always, we will continue to keep any new information under careful review.’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also confirmed that the concerts will go ahead, saying: ‘We have a huge amount of experience in policing these events, we’re never complacent.
‘Many lessons were learned after the awful Manchester Arena attack. The police work closely, not just with City Hall, but with councils, but also with those who host concerts, like the one coming up over the next couple of weeks.
‘I’m sure Vienna has its own reasons to cancel the Taylor Swift concerts, we’re going to carry on, working closely with police and ensuring the concerts can take place safely.’
Experts have warned that the terrorist threats are ‘a wake-up call,’ with Chris Phillips, former head of the UK’s National Counter Terrorism Security Office, telling The Sun: ‘Music events are right on the high point of terrorist targets.’
‘You have to carry on with business as usual and make sure nothing happens. Terrorists mustn’t be allowed to win. But we have got to be alert.
It’s been confirmed that Taylor’s five concerts at Wembley Stadium, beginning on August 15, will go ahead as planned, and it’s thought that there will be added safeguarding measures
It comes as brand expert Nick Ede also shared the so-called ‘Swiftonomics’ around the singer’s axed shows, and huge costs the star will have to foot from cancelling her three concerts
Following the news of Taylor’s cancelled concerts Brand and Culture Expert Nick Ede has told that the star could be faced with a nine-figure bill due to the cancelled concerts.
Breaking down the so-called ‘Swiftonomics’, he said the three Eras Tour showswill have cost around £136,500,000, based on average ticket price and spend of £700.
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He added: ‘This doesn’t take into consideration the extra security and teams having to support the thousands of fans who have travelled to see her.
‘The venue, the Ernst Happel Stadium, holds nearly 65,000 people and over three nights that’s 195,000 audience members, but added to that, family members and fans who will be outside listening estimated at another 10 thousand daily.
‘With people travelling from all over the world to see Taylor, the costs and implications for fans and also for economy in Vienna will be huge.
‘All tickets were refunded which means a loss of millions and when Taylor was in London, the ‘Swiftonomics’ brought in around £380 million to the city so you can see that Vienna with impact on costs too.
‘Because the event was cancelled at the last minute, many people will still be making their way to Vienna so there will be a surge in the economy, but not on the scale it would have been if the concerts had gone ahead.
‘From hotels, air bnb’s, food and drinks the ”Swiftonomics” is a cultural phenomenon and can literally turn around fortunes of businesses who are in and around the eras tour orbit.
‘Taylor is very loyal to her fans and I am sure she would want to reschedule so as to make sure they get to see the show, but with a jam packed schedule and also the real threat of terror, she and her team will have to work out whether they can come back to Vienna after her 152 date tour is over.’
Following the news of Taylor’s cancelled concerts Brand and Culture Expert Nick Ede has told that the star could be faced with a nine-figure bill due to the cancelled concerts
Taylor’s concert promoter confirmed the cancellation in a post, citing public safety
It was previously thought that Taylor’s string of London shows could bring an estimated £300 million to the city economy.
On Wednesday it was revealed by police that two suspects were arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack at Taylor’s Vienna shows.
It has since been confirmed that radicalized teens aged 17 and 19 – including an ISIS fanatic – had ‘planned carnage with bomb, knives and vehicle attack on young fans.
Following the thwarted terrorist plot, Taylor’s concert promoter Barracuda Music posted a statement informing fans that her Vienna dates were being called off, leaving tens of thousands disappointed after they had fought to get tickets to the sold-out tour.
‘Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Vienna Shows Cancelled Due to Government Officials Confirmation of Planned Terrorist Attack,’ the post read.
‘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.
‘All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.’
Shortly after the news broke, it was reported that Taylor was feeling ‘devastated’ at having to cancel the dates.
Taylor’s fans were also left ‘devastated’ by the last-minute cancelation, but have thanked the singer for ‘keeping them safe.’
They have since been seen gathering in Vienna to sing the star’s hits together.
The main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian roots identified as Beran A, was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna on Wednesday morning.
A second teen, aged 17, who had recently broken up with his girlfriend, was detained in the Austrian capital in the afternoon, according to director-general for public safety Franz Ruf.
Beran A, who pledged allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State group last month, was ‘focused’ on Taylor’s Vienna concert, Ruf confirmed, and had quit his job.
He had said he had ‘big plans’ on July 25, Ruf revealed, adding that the teen also ‘significantly changed his appearance’.
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‘There has been a clear social change,’ Ruf added.
Austrian media reported the suspects’ plans included driving a car into groups of Swifties who were expected to gather outside the venue, before proceeding to attack them with machetes and knives.
They had reportedly planned to launch their attack today, August 8.
The 19-year-old, who has been pictured posing with knives, fully confessed to his plans to ‘kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue,’ Austrian security officials said.
His planned terror attack was supposed to end with him detonating his homemade bomb and killing himself in the process, according to the Austrian Heute newspaper.
Director-general for public safety Ruf confirmed today that ‘explosives were manufactured’ at the suspect’s home after local media reported that Beran A. had stolen chemicals from his former workplace, a metal processing company also in Ternitz, to build a bomb.
Three-time Super Bowl winner reportedly called Taylor as soon as the news broke and spent ‘hours’ comforting her on the phone.
It comes days after a dance-class celebrating her music was targeted in Southport, England, which saw three children fatally stabbed.