Taylor Swift has not been blocked from performing anywhere else in Southeast Asia despite reports last month. The pop star has completed three sold-out concerts at Singapore’s National Stadium and has another three scheduled for March 7 through 9. Swift agreed to a deal with the Singaporean government that ensured Singapore would be her only performance in Southeast Asia, a deal that Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin claimed was secured by offering $2 million to $3 million per gig in exchange for exclusivity. However, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong denies that the arrangement was unfriendly and notes that Swift received “certain incentives” from a government fund established to rebuild Singapore’s tourist industry post-COVID-19.
The exclusivity deal has been criticised by Joey Salceda, a Philippine lawmaker, who has asked the Philippine government to protest against the grant formally. Salceda called the deal unfriendly, and commenting on the Philippines’ relationship with Singapore, said, “Our countries are good friends. That’s why actions like that hurt.” Lee indicated that one reason Singapore made the arrangement was to show goodwill to the region and attract visitors.
The ‘Eras Tour’ has made history recently by becoming the first tour to gross $1 billion. Following her Singapore performances, Swift will take her career-spanning tour to Europe in May and the UK and Ireland in June. She’ll play eight shows at Wembley Stadium with support coming from Paramore. Swift is set to release her 11th studio album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ on April 19. In preparation for the album, she also announced that her concert film, ‘The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version),’ will arrive on Disney+ on March 14
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