The leader of Thailand has alleged that Singapore attempted to make an agreement with Taylor Swift in order to prevent her from performing in other parts of south-east Asia during her Eras tour.
Srettha Thavisin said the concert promoter AEG had informed him that the Singaporean government offered subsidies of US $2m-$3m (£1.6m-£24m) a show as part of an exclusivity agreement.
In March, Swift will perform six concerts at the National Stadium in Singapore, which has a capacity of 55,000 seats and all shows are sold out.
Srettha publicly stated at a business forum in Bangkok that [AEG] did not disclose the specific amount, but mentioned that the Singaporean government provides subsidies ranging from $2 to $3 million. However, the Singaporean government has imposed a restriction on other organizers from hosting similar events in the [south-east] Asia region.
A request for comment was made to AEG and the Singapore government, but they have not responded yet.
Swift’s admirers in south-east Asia were greatly let down when it was revealed last year that she would not be visiting most of the region and would only make a stop in Singapore during her Eras tour. Even for those who could afford to travel to see her, obtaining tickets proved to be challenging; numerous fans asked their relatives and friends to register on their behalf and then waited for hours in virtual lines.
Besides Singapore, the tour will also make stops in Japan and Australia. Fans who were fortunate enough to get tickets for the Singapore show have made extensive and costly travel arrangements, including boat, bus, and plane trips, to see Taylor Swift perform. South-east Asia has a large and devoted fanbase for Swift, with Quezon City in the Philippines being ranked fifth on Spotify’s list of cities with the most listeners of her music globally.
Officials are excited for Swift’s visit to Singapore, as it is expected to significantly benefit the tourism sector. Minister Edwin Tong, responsible for community, culture and youth, expressed his enthusiasm for the tour dates, stating that they demonstrate the type of events Singapore aims to attract for both locals and visitors.
In other parts of South-East Asia, supporters have previously attributed the absence of tour dates to various factors including inadequate infrastructure, political turmoil, and the beliefs of traditional Muslim organizations.
Several fans of Taylor Swift in Thailand remember when her 2014 concert in Bangkok was cancelled due to the military coup led by former prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. In Malaysia, there is concern that future performances by international artists may face more obstacles following controversy surrounding a same-sex kiss between members of the band 1975 at a July concert.
Source: theguardian.com
