Taylor Swift sings, “It’s a love story, baby, just say ‘Yes’” in her 2008 single Love tale.
Thus, her adoring admirers in Singapore and the vicinity are scrambling to buy tickets for her three March 2024 appearances. Malaysian Nicole Ng, 26, aims to stay three days and two nights with friends.
Ms Ng will see her idol perform for the first time in Singapore. “Given that this is a rare chance to watch her live, I’m not exactly setting a budget,” said Ms Ng, a “diehard Swiftie for as long as I can remember”.
“I’m flying in from KL because Singapore is likely the only place I can afford to go among all her tour locations,” said Ms Ng, who is between jobs.
Swift’s The Eras Tour’s lone Asian stop outside Japan is Singapore, with tickets from $108. The American superstar’s gigs are projected to draw over 200,000 fans, boosting the economy.
Six Coldplay concerts in January 2024 might improve local tourism. Malaysian Julian Fernandez wanted to travel in, but all the tickets were sold.
The 42-year-old director of communications spent RM3,000–RM5,000 to see Foo Fighters and U2 in Singapore. On Friday, the Malaysian ringgit was RM3.46 per Singapore dollar.
“Jacky Cheung 60+ Concert Tour” at Singapore Indoor Stadium next month is drawing Asian admirers. The “God of Songs” is the first to sell out nine concerts at the arena.
Given his past concert tours’ global sellouts, Unusual Entertainment’s associate marketing director Koh San Chin predicted a solid reception.
Blackpink and Harry Styles performed at the National Stadium.
Singapore may become Asia’s top concert destination, attracting regional fans.
Agoda saw 8.7-times more searches for Singapore hotels during Coldplay’s January 2024 concert series. It stated Singapore should expect additional visitors from Hong Kong, Thailand, the US, Australia, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, and other areas.
Agoda said the rise shows the “undeniable power of music as a major travel motivator”.
Singapore is Coldplay’s Asian tour stop. “Music inspires a great deal of passion, and dedicated fans are truly remarkable as they will travel far and wide to see their favourite acts live,” said Mr Enric Casals, regional associate vice-president of South-east Asia at Agoda.
Singaporeans love Coldplay’s genre-bending music.
“Live musical experiences have a profound impact on travel decisions, as shown by this spike in accommodation bookings.”
Ms Ashlynn Loo, director (attractions, entertainment & tourism concept development), Singapore Tourism Board (STB), said it works closely with event organizers to inject vibrancy to the tourism environment and cement the Republic’s status as a top leisure destination.
“Singapore’s strategic location as the gateway to South-east Asia and strong fundamentals—excellent infrastructure, good connectivity to the region, vibrant business culture and stellar track record in delivering high-quality events—make us an ideal destination for hosting events,” she said.
Our lifestyle products and unique experiences compliment these world-class live entertainment acts.”
Singapore Sports Hub said commercial factors and pent-up demand from the epidemic years are bringing live events back. It will host A-mei, Twice, Charlie Puth, and international athletic events.
KASM, which operates the Singapore Sports Hub, says it is adding “Only-in-Singapore” sports, lifestyle, and entertainment events.
KASM chairman Keith Magnus said Swift’s concerts at the Singapore Sports Hub cement its status as Asia’s top entertainment destination.
He stated that it shows the entertainment industry that playing in Singapore is like performing across Asia.
“We look forward to Kallang roaring with Taylor Swift as we continue to curate world-class and community events to bring ‘Kallang Alive’ – where Singapore and the world come to play,” he added.
In a previous Sports Hub announcement, Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth Edwin Tong said, “Since the Government took over the reins of the Singapore Sports Hub in December 2022, the KASM team has actively curated a portfolio of world-class marquee events.”
He added: “Taylor Swift’s only-in-Singapore concert outside of Japan is an example of the calibre of events we are targeting to augment our offerings to Singaporeans and tourists alike.”
Marina Bay Sands (MBS), Swift’s official presenting partner, will provide packages for a “once-in-a-lifetime escapade combining the concert experience with exclusive hospitality.”
Its representative claimed it had increased entertainment services in the previous two years. Its Sands Live concert series has included sold-out events by Asian and international artists such Chinese sensations Joey Yung and Hacken Lee, with over 6,000 spectators each night.
MBS also included Rain, Psy, Gai, Melo, PSY.P, and KnowKnow.
MBS recently announced its inaugural music festival, “Where Music Takes Over,” featuring Mandopop singer David Tao, English pop sensation Ellie Goulding, Colombian singer, songwriter, and producer J Balvin, Chinese singer and rapper Kun, American rapper A$AP Ferg, and American DJ and producer Gryffin.
MBS and Live Nation will present The 1975, The Strokes, Rini, and Sabrina Carpenter at the July 15–August 2 festival.
The official stated that after COVID-19, travelers are staying longer and spending more on premium experiences, including entertainment events.
They’re also investigating Singapore’s offerings in a new way. As the industry recovers, these bode well.”
Ms. Rose Tong, executive director of the Singapore Retailers Association, advised retailers to capitalize on these events.
She advises businesses around concerts to stay open late. They can market pre- and post-concert food and beverages on social media, their websites, or via show promoters.
She said that STB’s Visit Singapore website may promote shops’ deals.
While international concert-goers exchange suggestions on social media for their impending visits, some local fans are worried about the fight for limited tickets.
Part-time polytechnic student Alloysius Teo said: “I feel really stressed that Singapore is the only stop in South-east Asia for the Taylor Swift concert. I’ll queue for tickets using several devices.”
The 25-year-old conceded: “On the other hand, I guess we should still welcome the overseas fans as they will boost our economy.”
