This week, the city is playing host to Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, an honor that has not come without cost.
At first, it was said that the six shows would only be available for S$24 million (£14 million; $18 million) in that South East Asian nation.
Since then, Singapore’s CNA has been informed by Culture Minister Edwin Tong that the figure is “nowhere as high,” though he would not comment on the precise number. However, the broadcaster speculated that it might have only been S$2 million for all six.
That sparked outrage throughout the area. A lawmaker in the Philippines criticized the action, stating that “this isn’t what good neighbors do,” and demanded that the grant be officially protested.
However, even if governments are furious, fans are really bearing the brunt of this.
Around 700 million people live in South East Asia, where Swift is spoken everywhere from taxi cabs in Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City alleyways.
Therefore, the news that all six events will take place in the most costly city in the area came as a kick in the gut to many.
