Singapore’s new era in 2024: Taylor Swift, leadership transition and a high-profile trial
The city state cemented its position as a global entertainment hub even as it grappled with political changes and legal sagas
In 2024, Singapore’s typically stable landscape was punctuated by significant political upheavals and cultural milestones.
The city state grappled with a high-profile corruption scandal and leadership transition, all while hosting concerts by some of the world’s leading acts, cementing its position as an international entertainment hub.
Here are the most widely read Singapore stories This Week in Asia covered in 2024:
Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’ in Singapore
American pop star Taylor Swift’s six sold-out shows in March attracted more than just fans from across the region, it also drew some ire from neighbouring countries.
Singapore’s concert deal with Swift had caused an uproar over an exclusivity deal to make the city state the tour’s only stop in the region, with some politicians and fans reading the move as a snub.
Then prime minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore was not “being unfriendly” in an attempt to smooth ruffled feathers, adding that the deal had turned out to be very successful.
Swift’s concerts, along with other top acts such as British rock band Coldplay, brought about a surge in tourism activity and gave the economy a boost in the first quarter of the year, the central bank said in April.
