Netizens support gov’t decision to bring Taylor Swift to S’pore in exclusive concert deal

SINGAPORE: Netizens have expressed their support for the government’s decision to host Taylor Swift exclusively in Singapore, hailing it as a strategic move to bolster the nation’s economy and cultural standing.

In a Facebook post about the commercial arrangement that garnered attention, the majority of online users praised Singapore’s initiative, lauding it as a “smart move” to attract international attention and stimulate economic growth.

Many highlighted the potential benefits for local businesses and the country’s reputation on the global stage.

Singapore’s Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Edwin Tong, said on Monday (4 March) that the government “moved fast and early” to bring Taylor Swift’s The Era tour show to Singapore.

Amid public scrutiny regarding the size of the taxpayer-funded grant to secure the show, Mr Tong reassured during a Parliament session that the reported figures were inaccurate and not as high as rumoured.

However, he refrained from disclosing the exact amount, citing business confidentiality reasons.

Exclusivity clause draws ire from neighboring countries

Earlier, Singapore’s exclusive deal with Taylor Swift drew criticism from neighbouring countries, with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressing discontent.

At a business forum on 16 Feb, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin alleged that the Singapore government had offered US$2 million to US$3 million (S$2.69 million to S$4.04 million) per show in exchange for exclusivity in Southeast Asia.

“If I had known this, I would have brought the shows to Thailand,” he added, according to Bangkok Post.

However, in a recent interview with Channel NewsAsia (CNA), Mr Tong challenged claims of high spending, refuting earlier statements by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

Diverging from assertions that Singapore spent up to US$3 million per concert, Mr Tong stated, “The numbers that you see online – it is nowhere as high as what is being speculated.”

CNA’s report suggests that the actual amount Singapore committed to securing Swift’s six shows falls significantly lower, between US$2 million to US$3 million in total, countering the higher figures previously circulated.

“What I’ll say is this: It’s not just about a grant or a deal, but the overall package,” he said, implying that the decision to host Swift was part of a larger strategy, though specifics of this strategy and its outcomes remain under discussion.

One Philippine lawmaker Joey Salceda, said that the move is “not what good neighbors do.”

“Our countries are good friends. That’s why actions like that hurt,” Mr Salceda said, as per The Straits Times (ST) report.

Nevertheless, despite Mr Salceda’s suggestion that the Philippines should express opposition to Singapore’s deal with Swift, he acknowledged that the “policy worked” for Singapore, as it increased hotel bookings in the city-state and stimulated air travel to the country.

“But it was at the expense of neighboring countries, which could not attract their foreign concertgoers, and whose fans had to go to Singapore,” he said.

“I don’t think we should just let things like this pass. We should still officially register our opposition. It also runs contrary to the principle of consensus-based relations and solidarity on which Asean was founded.”

Netizens in support of S’pore’s decision to bring Taylor Swift to S’pore

Although critics questioned the transparency and intentions behind the decision, the prevailing sentiment among netizens remained favorable.

In a Facebook post, the majority of comments endorsed the government’s choice to host Taylor Swift exclusively in Singapore, viewing it as a strategic move to enhance the nation’s economic prospects.

Users praised the decision as a demonstration of Singapore’s competitiveness and appeal as a destination for global events.

One user commended Singapore, stating, “Well done SG. That is competition and I hope other countries learn not to be mediocre as well,” implying that other countries could benefit from emulating Singapore’s approach.

Another user remarked that, “it takes two to tango,” emphasizing that Taylor Swift’s decision to exclusively perform in Singapore, despite potentially higher offers elsewhere, reflects her confidence in the city-state.

“Blame Taylor Swift for agreeing to this “unfair” condition,” the user wrote.

“Taylor will not perform in other countries even if they offered S$10 million. Just shows how much confidence she has in Singapore.”

The “unfair condition” could possibly relate to individuals who were critical of the entire concept involving Taylor Swift and the deal with Singapore, as one user put it, “Brilliant move, but selfish.”

Another user also expressed the view that the situation “is not fair,” suggesting that the Singaporean government orchestrated a “back door deal” to exclusively control the concert.