Taylor Swift is the most popular woman in the world, so it should come as no surprise that neighboring countries are gearing up for a duel as one small country has exclusivity for her performance on the Eras Tour.
Politicians in the Philippines and Thailand are speaking out about a contract cut by Singapore that limits Swift's Eras tour of Southeast Asia to the wealthy city-state.
The 34-year-old singer, who is currently in the middle of her sold-out six shows in Singapore, received a scholarship to perform in the country.
But it will be their only stop in Southeast Asia.
A deal was reportedly brokered by Singaporean authorities to prevent Taylor from performing in other areas of the region, on the assumption that Swifties would be forced to flock to Singapore.
Taylor Swift was reportedly paid millions to keep Singapore as her only tour stop in Southeast Asia
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the Singapore deal made sense as he had long wondered why Swift had insulted Thailand
The prime minister of Thailand, one of the countries disadvantaged by Swift's one-stop island hop, said at the iBusiness Forum 2024 recently held in Bangkok that the Singaporean government would pay Swift up to $3 million per show in exchange for the exclusivity of the Eras Tour.
Filipino politician Joey Salceda also comments on the supposed economic weakness. He has called on his country's foreign ministry to protest the grant given to Swift.
He told local media that neighboring governments were meant to be allies and would work together to strengthen the region, and that the deal negotiated by Singapore was a hurtful betrayal.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called Singapore's move “smart” and added that he had long wondered why Swift did not choose to play in Thailand.
“If she had come to Thailand, it would have been cheaper to organize it here and I believe she would have been able to attract more sponsors and tourists to Thailand,” he said.
“Even if we had to subsidize at least 500 million baht (US$14 million), it would be worth it.”
“If I had known that, I would have brought the shows to Thailand.” “Concerts can generate added value for the economy.”
The Singapore shows are likely to be a boon for the economy. Swift sold out six nights at the 55,000-seat National Stadium this month.
The Tourism Authority and Singapore's Ministry of Culture did not disclose the amount of the subsidy, but noted the economic benefits that Swift's concerts brought around the world.
They said the ministry worked with concert promoter AEG Presents to get Swift to perform in Singapore.
Philippine lawmaker Joey Salceda said the Singapore government's deal with Swift was a betrayal by a government that should be working with other regional powers
The Tourism Authority and Singapore's Ministry of Culture did not disclose the amount of the subsidy, but noted the economic benefits that Swift's concerts brought around the world
Swift fans flock to Singapore from Manila, the capital of the Philippines, to attend Swift's Eras Tour
Swift will perform at Singapore's National Stadium from March 2-9
Over 300,000 tickets were sold to fans who waited overnight in the tropical heat
“It is likely to bring significant benefits to Singapore's economy, particularly tourism activities such as hospitality, retail, travel and food services, as has happened in other cities where Taylor Swift has performed,” it said in a statement released last Tuesday Explanation.
Singapore has seen a concert boom since the pandemic lockdowns ended, with big names such as Blackpink, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran playing sold-out shows.
The Singapore government has not commented on the exclusivity clause, although AEG has said Swift's only concert appearance in Southeast Asia will take place on the island nation, with VIP tickets costing S$1,228 (AUD$1,395).
On the wider Asian continent, Swift also performed in Tokyo at the beginning of February.
Their concerts in Singapore will take place from March 2nd to 9th.
Over 300,000 tickets were sold to fans who queued overnight in the blistering tropical heat.
During her second sold-out show in Singapore last week, Swift revealed that the final version of her upcoming album The Tortured Poets Department will include a bonus track titled “The Black Dog.”
The highly anticipated album will be released on April 19th.
According to the posts, the album cover appeared behind her on stage while she sat at her piano shared by concertgoers on X
The 34-year-old singer revealed that the final version of her upcoming album The Tortured Poets Department will include a bonus track titled “The Black Dog.”
In front of over 50,000 fans on her second night at the Singapore National Stadium, she presented the fourth and final version of her upcoming album, which will be released on April 19th
During her first performance at Eras Tour Singapore, Swift shared a meaningful story with her fans about what Singapore means to her and her family.
“My mother actually spent a lot of her childhood with her mother, father and sister growing up in Singapore,” she told Fan's Venue about her mother Andrea Swift.
In a video shared on X by a fan page accountShe explained: “When we came here on tour, my mother would often take me and drive me past her old house where she used to go to school.”
“So I’ve heard about Singapore my whole life,” she continued.
“To come here and play such a big show with so many beautiful, generous people… it means the world.”