After Taylor Swift’s concert series in Vienna was canceled on Wednesday due to the threat of terrorism, many Coldplay fans are now wondering what impact this will have on the British band’s four performances at the Ernst Happel Stadium scheduled for August 21. The organizer is reassuring.
“We understand the questions and concerns of all fans, but we must try to remain calm and not further inflame the situation with speculation,” said a statement on Thursday from organizer Live Nation, which also organizes singer Adele’s major concerts in Munich.
“We are in very close contact with the responsible safety authorities and are guided by their assessments and recommendations,” it was emphasized. “All fans can rest assured that the safety of visitors, employees and artists always comes first.”
State Security reports no ‘explicit danger’
At a press conference, the head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN), Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, also found “no information that further concerts are subject to an explicit danger” in relation to the Coldplay performances and the Frequency Festival in St. Pölten. And the Lower Austrian police are prepared.
Quick cancellation “biggest accident to assume”
For music business researcher Peter Tschmuck from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw), the cancellation of the three concerts in Vienna by American superstar Swift is “the biggest possible misfortune” for Vienna as a major event location.
The reputational damage cannot yet be estimated, of course, but it is beyond dispute. Swift herself could also have played a decisive role in the cancellation, Tschmuck said on Thursday. “As an expert in the music business, my first reaction was that the Barracuda could cause enormous economic problems,” Tschmuck said.
“This is actually a catastrophe. Historically, Vienna has always been an important hub for international concert acts – Coldplay is still on the schedule (four concerts in Ernst Happel Stadium from 21 August, note). If there are concerns about the threat of terrorism and about attack plans, that obviously has an impact on the international organisers.”
“No recommendation for Vienna as a concert location”
The now canceled concerts attracted tens of thousands of fans from all over the world to the federal capital, who are now facing bitter disappointments and sometimes had spent a lot of money. Good crisis management is now needed from those responsible for the city and tourism, the music business expert said.
Overall, according to Tschmuck, one must unfortunately say: “This is logically not a recommendation for Vienna as a concert location.” The added value generated by the events themselves, which are now no longer available, is one thing, but on the other hand, little can be said about the medium-term effects. One thing is clear: “Vienna is not dependent on such concerts in the long term.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
