Illustration:Liu Xiangya/GT
Singing, dancing and screaming, numerous Chinese "Swifties" saw their "Wildest Dreams" come true at Taylor Swift's latest concert in Singapore.
From March 2 to March 9, the internationally acclaimed singer graced the stage for six performances in the Southeast Asian country.
Singapore, being the only stop for Swift's the Eras World Tour in the region, drew about 300,000 fans not only from the local community but also from afar such as China.
Despite China missing out on Taylor's world Tour this time, the love and enthusiasm from her Chinese fans remained steadfast. The close proximity between China and Singapore, along with visa-free travel arrangements, made attending Swift's concert in Singapore both convenient and accessible for her Chinese admirers.
For "Swifties" like Wan, a 21-year-old senior student from the Xiamen University in East China's Fujian Province, who has loved Swift for nine years, attending her Singapore concert on Saturday is a long-awaited dream come true.
"The concert scene was lit, everyone was super enthusiastic, screaming their hearts out. The stage setup was very beautiful with professional lighting and sound," Wan shared with the Global Times.
Li, 30, a new media practitioner who comes from Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, recounted the excitement of witnessing Swift's opening act and the euphoric sing-alongs to hits like "Cruel Summer" on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.
Li even adorned his luggage with a self-made poster of Swift, attracting attention from other travelers throughout his journey. After the Sunday concert, there was an enthusiastic response from Chinese fans when asked about their presence by the DJ at the outside venue, according to Li.
Both Wan and Li noted the visa-free policy has made their trips easier. Given the high hotel prices in Singapore, Wan opted to take a bus to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, for accommodation after the concert, because both Singapore and Malaysia offer Chinese tourists visa-free entry.
As a result, she spent a total of around 4,300 yuan, including the ticket, round-trip airfare, and a night of hotel stay.
The entire trip, including two tickets and one night of accommodation, costs Li around 6,000 yuan.
The visa-free policy makes the whole entry process into Singapore "very smooth," akin to travelling domestically.
In the Chinese mainland, the popularity of Taylor Swift's concert film,
Taylor Swift: The Eras World Tour, continues to soar. With its release extended until March 12, the film has garnered 99.18 million yuan ($13.78 million) in box office revenue as of Monday, with industry experts predicting it to surpass the 100 million yuan mark.
For those who are not able to attend the concert on site, watching the movie is another way to support the singer. Wang, 29, a marketing personnel who is based in Beijing, told the Global Times that she has attended the concert film screenings for five times.
According to Wang, she figured out how to join the fan club organization through social media because fan gatherings provide an opportunity for them to immerse themselves to collective singing and dancing alongside fellow "Swifties." Organizers also distributed items such as glow sticks for support.
"Everyone sang and danced, and many, including herself, couldn't help but cry," Wang said.
"I can feel that she is an inspiration to many," she added.
"Swift's talent, consistent high-quality songwriting since her debut, and her adeptness at transitioning between genres, from country to pop to folk, have always intrigued me," Li told the Global Times.
For Wan, her admiration for Swift began in the second year of junior high school. Initially drawn to Swift for her beauty and songs, Wan's connection with the singer evolved significantly after she became a true fan.
"She is my gateway to learning English," Wan said. According to Wan, her fondness for Swift sparked her interest in the language. Swift's songs prompted her to search for definitions of the lyrics in the dictionary, consequently expanding her vocabulary to some extent. Besides, due to Swift's clear pronunciation, she also used Swift's songs as part of her English listening practice during high school.
For Liu, 31, who has engaged in the pharmaceutical industry, it's not just about the music but also about the unwavering support Swift has shown her fans over the years.
"I started liking her back in university, and it's been about 10 years now. In this decade, as I grew, I also witnessed her journey from a little girl to superstardom. She feels like a talented friend from my same generation," she said.
Liu said she was also touched by Swift's ability to infuse her own life experiences into her storytelling, which could resonate deeply with listeners.
"When you listen to songs from albums like
Speak Now,
Red, or
1989, you can hear her experiences with friendship and love. But with
Reputation and
Folklore, you will get a glimpse into her worldview, her resilience in the face of rumors, and how she navigates life," she added.
