It often rains in Singapore, but an exceptional downpour fell on the Southeast Asian city-state in March: A shower of sparkling sequins around the National Stadium, where Taylor Swift put on six concerts between March 2 and 9. There were flakes everywhere: on skirts and eyelids, on skins and hats, on the boots and hijabs of an audience that had come from all corners of the subcontinent to cheer on the global pop star – herself glittered up from head to toe for most of the show.
The Singapore leg of the Eras Tour, as the most lucrative tour in history is called, was the last before its stop in France at the Paris La Défense Arena, from May 9 to 12 – two dates are also scheduled at Lyon's Groupama Stadium, June 2 and 3. Like all the others, these concerts have been sold out since tickets went on sale almost a year ago. Singapore was also the last stop before the release, on April 19, of the American singer's 11th album, The Tortured Poets Department, which has been topping the global charts ever since.
And so it goes with Swift's fairy tale carriage: Altering the ordinary course of things wherever it goes, leaving records and tours de force in its wake, like a trail of golden dust. Exactly how many spells have been attributed to the 34-year-old singer? Some political scientists say she could influence the American elections in November thanks to her ability to rally young voters, statistically more Democratic and less prone to vote than average, and thanks to the love the reputedly conservative country music fans still have for her.
Economists, for their part, credit her with boosting the economic growth of the cities she visits, as the Swift rush attracts tourists in droves. And not just any tourists: Mostly from the middle class or well-off, Swifties are particularly inclined to spend money.
According to an indiscretion by the Thai prime minister, jealous of the Singaporean windfall, the city-state allegedly paid the producers nearly $18 million to secure exclusive rights to her concerts in the region. A pittance, when compared with the $400 million the concerts are said to have generated for Singapore, equivalent to a 0.3% increase in GDP, according to estimates by local bankers. As soon as her boots hit the stage at the National Stadium on March 3, the singer even addressed the controversy: "Who among you traveled to come here?" she called out. The crowd's cheers left little doubt that most of the 360,000 spectators who attended the six concerts were not locals.
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