Taylor Swift’s Singapore shows leave Malaysian, Thai, Philippine fans dismayed: ‘how could you forget about us?’

Swifties in Southeast Asia have struggled to shake off their disappointment that her much-anticipated Eras Tour will only include concert dates in Singapore
The move comes after Coldplay sold out six shows in Singapore, leaving some envying the city state’s ability to draw top stars and wondering whether rival city Hong Kong had fallen behind

Singapore

SCMP’s Asia desk

Published: 6:02pm, 21 Jun, 2023

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Dejected Taylor Swift fans in Southeast Asia could not hide their disappointment after the US pop icon revealed Singapore was the only regional stop of her much-anticipated Eras Tour next year, with many envying the wealthy city state’s ability to land big-name concerts including six shows by Britain’s Coldplay in January.

“I can’t wait to see so many of you on The Eras Tour next year at these new international dates!” Swift wrote on Instagram after announcing multiple dates in Singapore, Japan, Australia and Europe.

The American singer’s fans, known as Swifties, in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines struggled to come to terms with her decision to skip their countries and pick Singapore’s National Stadium for the gigs on March 2-4. Three more dates for Singapore were later added, meaning Swift will now also perform on March 7-9.

“How could you forget about us?” one fan questioned on Twitter.

A packed Taylor Swift concert at the Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on June 16, 2023. Photo: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

The mood was even more disheartening on Malaysian social media where music buffs, already reeling from their unsuccessful bid to convince Coldplay to add a second show to its sold-out November 22 act, expressed their frustration: “There are only two countries in Asia, don’t call it a world tour.”

Coldplay’s concert promoter in Singapore on Tuesday said two additional dates were included following “overwhelming demand” for the initial four nights.

Fans snapped up more than 200,000 tickets for the initial four shows during the presale on Monday.

As Coldplay sells out 6 shows in Singapore, Malaysians lament hardline opposition

Malaysians blamed conservative political parties for the band and Swift giving them the cold shoulder.

“I don’t think she’ll come to Malaysia because her concert outfits won’t be according to the stupid Malaysian concert rules,” a user said, referring to the racy dresses worn by the singer during her performance.

Malaysian social media influencer Jin Lim suggested fans should launch a campaign to bring the “Midnights” star to the country or else “we are never ever getting a show here”.

Some said it was regrettable that Malaysia missed out on the Eras Tour but that they were “thrilled for Singapore”, which is continuing to attract global music talent to Southeast Asia.

British singer Chris Martin of Coldplay performs in Barcelona on May 24, 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

Jonathan Kaplan, the US envoy to the city state, was elated too. “Exciting news for Singapore! Taylor Swift showcases the global reach of American music and artists,” he tweeted.

Other Southeast Asian Swifties rued the fact they had to jostle with millions of fans for tickets, and wondered if venues in countries like Thailand and the Philippines could match the infrastructure required to host such high-profile events, adding that fans’ purchasing power could be a reason behind Singapore and Tokyo making the cut.

Many fans tried to put the dismay aside and shared tips on finding cheap hotel rooms and flights to Singapore, while others were hopeful of grabbing a ticket for the Japan concert, which is lottery-based unlike the city state’s first-come-first-served system.

The headline-grabbing shows also raised questions about whether Singapore’s rival financial hub Hong Kong had fallen behind in its efforts to turbocharge the city’s tourism after emerging from pandemic-induced travel curbs.

Although Hong Kong returned to business by hosting Clockenflap, its largest outdoor music festival in March, and also announced a series of harbourfront musical acts featuring local heavyweights like rapper Tyson Yoshi next month, it appears Singapore has managed to steal a march on its neighbour by being the regional gig host of choice.

“Coldplay was a test, and now they are playing six nights in Singapore. Taylor has a bigger audience,” one Swiftie wrote on Twitter.

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Meanwhile, the 33-year-old singer’s plan to stage five Australian shows in February and none in neighbouring New Zealand has also left Kiwis despondent.

“No NZ tour. Perhaps she only has maps that don’t show NZ at all and may not know we exist,” said a Facebook user.

Swift is currently performing the North American leg of the Eras Tour that began in March.