Like most avid Taylor Swift fans, Jake Woosley was desperate to catch the singer-songwriter's Eras Tour, and he told Newsweek how his 5,000-mile trip to a show ended with some devastating news.
The 27-year-old fashion influencer from Louisville, Kentucky, decided to embark on a journey of a lifetime, to catch Swift's act in Vienna, Austria.
Woosley had traveled with his girlfriend for over 20 hours to attend the highly anticipated Swift concert at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium. However, upon arriving at their hotel in Linz, Austria, it was confirmed a suspected terror threat had led to cancellation of the show.
Woosley shared his experience on Instagram, where he recounted the devastating news, but also his relief that necessary safety measures had been taken to safeguard, Swift, her fans and the city.
"We were traveling from Louisville, Kentucky, and our trip was roughly 20 hours long," Woosley, known online as @jake_woosley, told Newsweek. "The first news we heard about the cancellation was actually while boarding the plane from Washington D.C. to Munich, Germany."
It was only later he discovered the seriousness of the situation in Vienna and that there was no chance of the concert going ahead.
"We were devastated at the time to learn the concert was truly canceled," he added.
The Impact of the Eras Tour
The Eras Tour has captivated millions of Swifties worldwide and its string of events and subsequent movie have been a significant cultural and economic force.
Her sell-out performances at Lumen Field, Seattle on 22 and 23 July, 2023, generated seismic activity equivalent to a 2.3 magnitude earthquake. It is thought that the activity was the result of loud fans and a booming sound system. In May, Barclays projected that fans could collectively spend up to £1 billion, which is equivalent to $1,288,620,000.00, attending the tour in the U.K.
With its grand scale and high demand, the tour which spans multiple continents has had a profound impact on local economies, drawing fans from around the world to cities where concerts would be held. It has become the highest-grossing tour on record, and Swift's economic impact has been dubbed 'Swiftonomics.'
Swift's large fan base has been integral to the success of the tour, with tickets in the U.S. often selling out within minutes and fetching exorbitant prices on resale platforms. Woosley highlighted this in his account, noting that the U.S. resale value was "insane," with prices reaching over $5,000 for obstructed-view seats.
To make his girlfriend's dream of attending one of Swift's concert a reality, Woosley opted to purchase tickets for the Vienna show, where prices were significantly more affordable and where the couple could enjoy a romantic break too.
"I actually bought tickets to the Era's Tour in Vienna as a birthday surprise for my girlfriend who has been a lifelong Swiftie," Woosley said. "The tickets I purchased were floor seats for Vienna night three, and these premium tickets were still less than a single ticket for the Era's Tour in Indianapolis."
However, the Vienna concert was abruptly canceled due to a suspected terror risk, a rare occurrence for the Eras Tour, which has seen only one other cancellation in its long run.
Event organizers in Austria canceled all three of Swift's shows in the European city, following the arrest of two people in Austria. Authorities stated that the two suspects caught were planning attacks inspired by the Islamic State militant group (ISIS). A third person was arrested later too.
Despite the disappointment, Woosley and his girlfriend tried to make the best of their trip. They are currently on the last leg of their travels in Italy.
"The concert in Vienna was our first stop, and thankfully, we still made the most of our time in the beautiful city," Woosley shared. The couple went on to explore Vienna, trading friendship bracelets with fellow Taylor Swift fans and meeting people from all over the world.
He added: "Several people even gathered in the streets to sing songs from the Era's Tour setlist but we sadly stayed away because of the potential terrorist threats."
The Eras Tour, which has been ongoing since March 2023, has left a significant mark on both fans and the economies of the cities it visits. Each concert brings a surge of tourism, with fans flocking to local venues, hotels, and attractions. The sudden cancellation in Vienna, however, left many fans disappointed and residents concerned about their safety.
Woosley's social media video, which was shared to Instagram on August 9, quickly gained traction online, drawing both sympathy and criticism. While many offered support, others expressed less favorable sentiments.
"Well...Maybe listen to better music," one viewer commented, while another added: "Imagine have no personality so you get to Europe and you are upset about Taylor swift."
"Unfortunately, there have also been a lot of spiteful and hateful responses to the video," Woosley said. Despite the polarizing reactions, the overwhelming support from fellow Swifties, and those who do not fall on either side of the fence, have lifted the content creator's mood.
As the Eras Tour continues, the dedication of Swift's fan base remains unwavering, with Woosley's story highlighting the lengths to which fans will go to be part of the global phenomenon. The Eras Tour is set to conclude in December in Vancouver, Canada.
