How Singapore’s grant for Taylor Swift concerts angered Thailand and Philippines

The American pop star Taylor Swift is currently performing in Singapore as part of her Eras tour, which also includes Japan and Australia. However, the Singapore leg of the tour has been surrounded by controversy, as it was revealed that the Singapore government had offered a grant to the concert organizer AEG to secure the exclusivity of the shows in South East Asia.

The grant amount was initially reported to be as high as S$24 million (£14m; $18m) for the six shows, but the culture minister Edwin Tong later clarified that it was “nowhere as high” and refused to disclose the exact figure. He also defended the decision, saying that the expected economic benefits from the concerts outweighed the size of the grant.

However, the move has angered some of the neighboring countries, especially Thailand and the Philippines, where Swift has a large fan base. The Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin accused Singapore of paying US$2-3m per night to prevent Swift from playing elsewhere in the region. He said that he had tried to negotiate with AEG to bring Swift to Bangkok, but was rejected. In the Philippines, a lawmaker Salceda questioned Singapore’s exclusivity deal and called for a formal protest against the grant. He said that “this isn’t what good neighbors do” and that it was unfair to the Filipino fans who had to travel to Singapore to see their idol.

The impact

The grant for Taylor Swift concerts has raised some tensions and risks of conflict in the region, as it has exposed the different interests and perspectives of the countries involved. Some of the implications are:

– The grant could damage the relations and cooperation among the South East Asian countries, especially in the areas of tourism, trade, and security. Some analysts have warned that the grant could undermine the unity and solidarity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has been struggling to deal with the challenges posed by China, Myanmar, and COVID-19.

– The grant could also affect the reputation and image of Singapore, which has been known as a regional hub and leader for culture, entertainment, and innovation. Some critics have accused Singapore of being selfish, insensitive, and arrogant, and of using its wealth and influence to dominate and manipulate the region.

– The grant could also spark a backlash and boycott from the fans and the public of the neighboring countries, who may feel resentful and betrayed by Singapore. Some fans have expressed their disappointment and frustration on social media, and have called for a boycott of Singaporean products and services. Some have also cancelled or postponed their trips to Singapore, or have switched to other destinations.

The reaction

The grant for Taylor Swift concerts has also generated a lot of reactions from the fans, the media, and the celebrities of the region. Some of the reactions are:

– The fans of Taylor Swift have been divided over the issue, with some supporting and thanking Singapore for hosting the concerts, and others criticizing and blaming Singapore for depriving them of the opportunity to see their idol. Some have also expressed their hope and expectation that Swift would add more dates and locations to her tour, or to hold a special online concert for the fans who could not attend her shows in person.

– The media of the region have also covered the issue extensively, with some outlets praising Singapore for its foresight and ambition, and others condemning Singapore for its lack of transparency and generosity. The media have also compared and contrasted the different approaches and attitudes of the countries involved, and have explored the possible scenarios and outcomes of the issue.

– The celebrities of the region have also weighed in on the issue, with some showing their support and admiration for Swift and Singapore, and others showing their sympathy and solidarity with the fans and the countries of the region. Some of the celebrities who have commented on the issue include BTS, Blackpink, Ed Sheeran, and Ariana Grande.