Why fans of Taylor Swift abroad are prepared to pay thousands of dollars to see her perform in Singapore
Why fans of Taylor Swift abroad are prepared to pay thousands of dollars to see her perform in Singapore? While Taylor Swift’s choice to include Singapore as the sole Southeast Asian destination for her Eras Tour has undeniably brought significant economic benefits, the unsung contributors to these numbers are the international fans who have traveled to Singapore for the concert.
Despite the positive impact on the nation, it’s important to acknowledge the role played by Swifties from overseas in contributing to the increased demand for hotels, and flights, and the potential economic windfall exceeding US$787 million.
While local Swifties in Singapore are investing between S$88 and S$1,288 (US$958) for their concert tickets, international fans are incurring additional costs for flights, hotels, and miscellaneous expenses, all on top of the ticket prices. It’s worth noting that this is under the assumption that these fans secured their tickets without resorting to scalpers.
A Swiftie from Thailand revealed that she spent around 50,000 baht (S$1,868) to attend Taylor Swift’s concert in Singapore. Despite the significant expense, fans from neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are willing to invest in the experience. For 20-year-old Filipino undergraduate Clarisse Rivera, discovering that Singapore was the only Southeast Asian stop for the Eras Tour was a significant disappointment.
“Man, it was like someone broke the news with a sledgehammer… Filipinos are huge Swifties, so it hit us hard,” shared 20-year-old Filipino undergraduate Clarisse Rivera upon learning that Singapore was the sole Southeast Asian stop for the Eras Tour. Despite the disappointment, Rivera and her friend secured VIP tickets and plan to make the most of their trip to Singapore, estimating expenses around 80,000 pesos (S$1,914). Rivera, a first-time concert traveler, expressed that Taylor Swift’s music has been a significant part of her life, making the journey to see her live “worth every mile.”
Interestingly, for many fans, Taylor Swift’s Singapore stop marks their first time traveling overseas for a concert. Jeanette Juntilla, a 27-year-old airline crew member, mentioned that she “wouldn’t have done it for anyone else.” Expressing the profound impact Swift’s music has had on her, she shared that Swift is her “whole world” and that she and her friends devised a plan to attend the Eras Tour after realizing that the Philippines was skipped. Despite initial disappointment, they were determined to see Taylor Swift, and now, as part of the workforce, they have the means to make it happen.
Fellow Filipina Swiftie Angela Carpio shared similar sentiments, expressing how Taylor Swift’s music provided comfort during her upbringing. Determined to attend the Eras Tour, she stated, “She just made a huge impact on my life, and I want to see her again. She is the only singer who could make me fly abroad – within budget, of course.” Another fan, Danica Daluz, emphasized the incomparability of Taylor Swift to other artists, praising her authenticity and resilience. Daluz sees witnessing and experiencing the music she grew up with as a compelling reason to fly overseas.
Even if you’re not a Taylor Swift fan, it’s hard to deny the unique appeal that draws fans from all over the region to venture into the unknown and attend a concert overseas for the first time. The conversations with these fans serve as compelling testimonials to what many have long recognized: Taylor Swift’s unparalleled ability to connect with her audience through her music.
According to Toby Koenigsberg, associate professor at the University of Oregon’s School of Music and Dance, “We can’t talk about Taylor Swift’s success without acknowledging her preternatural ability to write songs that are familiar yet distinctive, accessible but not trite.” He emphasizes the incredible difficulty of consistently producing such songs album after album for nearly two decades.
Apart from Swift’s musical talent, a significant reason why overseas fans are flocking to Singapore for the Eras Tour is the exclusivity of the concert in Southeast Asia. While there have been claims about the Singapore government offering substantial sums for this exclusivity, the details remain unconfirmed. The Singapore Tourism Board clarified that it provided a grant to assist in bringing the Eras Tour to Singapore. Despite the speculation, many Swifties have a positive outlook.
Clarisse Rivera shared, “Honestly, it wouldn’t shock me if (the deal) was true. It’s a bummer, but from an economic standpoint, I get it. Swift’s popularity and massive fanbase make her a lucrative choice for any country hosting her tour. It’s impressive, no doubt.” Thai Swiftie Pat expressed understanding from a business perspective, acknowledging the significant economic boost hosting such a tour could provide for Singapore.
As Taylor Swift’s first show in Singapore approaches, overseas Swifties are eager to make the most of their time in the country. Malaysian content creator Hannysa Yusaa plans to explore Taylor Swift-themed events and spend on official merchandise, while Taiwanese fan Sisley Wang intends to visit Clarke Quay and the Singapore Zoo. Indonesian undergraduate Jessica Adams is excited to experience hawker stalls, Haji Lane, Ann Siang Hill, and clubs in Singapore. These Swifties are set to enjoy the local attractions and create memorable experiences during their visit.
More Singapore Blogs
- What is the limit of Taylor Swift news? Swifties don’t believe in such things
- Carousell suspends the selling of tickets for Taylor Swift concerts to prevent any fraud
- Taylor Swift effect: Six sold-out shows in Singapore result in a 30% increase in regional demand for hotels and flights
- Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
