In The Face Of Darkness, Swifties Just Proved How Brightly They Shine
Let me start by admitting that I am not a Swiftie. I am an admirer of all that Taylor Swift has achieved and continues to achieve but an erstwhile follower and supporter of hers, I am not. That didn’t immunise me - nor could it inoculate even the biggest dissenter of her music - from being forcibly moved by this week’s display of strength and solidarity from her legion of disciples after the star was forced to cancel three Vienna dates of her Eras tour. Austrian authorities foiled plans for a possible attack with the understanding that a 19-year-old suspect was focusing on Swift’s Vienna concerts. The good news? Tragedy appears to have been averted. The heartbreaking news? That 170,000 dedicated and devoted fans have had their hopes crushed of seeing their patron saint perform.
But in the face of darkness this week, Swifties proved that it is when love outshines darkness that we truly win. After fans learned of the tragedy that had so narrowly been avoided, they flocked to the streets of the Austrian capital to take part in an impromptu Swift sing-along and to trade the friendship bracelets that are synonymous with the star. Responding to the outpouring of love amid the crushing disappointment for the star's fans, several restaurants and coffee shops have given away free food and drink, while some museums have offered free admission to the swarms of Swifties in Vienna and a church opened its doors to play the musician's songs all day.
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'This community really knows how to give you a huge hug when you need it most,' one disappointed fan wrote on X, while another noted, 'There will never be another artist like Taylor Swift that can bring together people like this.'
It’s not the only example of hope amid darkness we’ve seen this week. In the UK, amid a wave of far-right violence and thuggery, anti-racist protesters took to the streets in their thousands on Wednesday, brandishing signs that reaffirmed that refugees are welcome and belong. Defiance in the face of terrorism is the only way to outshine it and illuminates the strength in numbers we have in those who strive to prioritise acceptance, kindness and positivity in the world. It's by not letting hatred win that we win. The refusal to succumb to fear is clear: the very fact alone that ticket prices for Swift's Wembley concerts next week reportedly rose by 30% on the resale market after the Viennese cancellation, and were said to be almost 2,000% up on their face value speaks volumes.
Ominously, upon turning 30, Swift wrote an essay for ELLE US in which she listed the 30 most defining lessons she'd learned throughout every year of her life to date. When writing about her biggest fear, the 'Cruel Summer' singer wrote, 'After the Manchester Arena bombing and the Vegas concert shooting, I was completely terrified to go on tour this time because I didn’t know how we were going to keep 3 million fans safe over seven months.' She noted how 'there was a tremendous amount of planning, expense, and effort put into keeping my fans safe,' but how 'my fear of violence has continued into my personal life.'
These are sad times, dark and difficult times that we’re living through, but it is only light that can ultimately prevail. There is love, connection and belonging to be found in community. Whatever yours looks like, whether it's anti-racist protests in your local town or Swifties singing in the streets of Europe, these localised pockets of positivity are proof that together, we are stronger.
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