In the days following Swift’s first few shows, much has been said about the energy of the Singapore crowd. “The SG crowd is so lifeless” and “Singaporeans don’t know the fan chants and are just standing there looking at Taylor” are just some of the common complaints thrown at the crowd here.
But here’s the thing: Who’s to say that screaming and dancing non-stop is the one true way to enjoy a concert? Some people may be enjoying a show but they’re simply not expressing it as outwardly as others. Ultimately, ticket buyers deserve to enjoy their concert experience the way they choose, as long as they’re not inconveniencing others.
So how do we navigate this dichotomy? Simply read the room. The fact of the matter is that each seating section’s concert experience is dictated by the majority in that section, that is, it’s the luck of the draw.
If you’re in a section where 99 per cent of the crowd is just sitting and nodding their heads, you can stand up and screech the lyrics of Enchanted. Just as long as you’re aware that you’re probably gonna be the only one doing so and will have dozens of irritated attendees glaring at you.
Similarly, if you’re in a section where 99 per cent of the crowd is standing up and dancing, feel free to sit and enjoy as you would – as long as you’re aware that you’ll also be hearing a lot of screams around you.
In my experience watching concerts in various countries, I’ve learnt that the best way to enjoy a show is to have zero expectations and just go with the flow.
6. PLAN YOUR EXIT ROUTE
Getting out of National Stadium after the Eras Tour is a journey on its own. As such, before you enter the venue, take the time to recce the area and mark out little-known exit points. For instance, there is a mini staircase at Level 3, next to the merchandise area, that is a few metres away from the main staircase. It is way faster to exit using this mini staircase as there are fewer steps.
Similarly, given the large crowd queuing up to enter Stadium MRT station by Exit A, you can bypass this by entering via Exit B which has a way shorter queue.
At the end of the day, Swifties – both from Singapore and from overseas – just wanna have fun. Given the sheer scale of the Eras Tour and the thousands of attendees that come with it, it follows that not everything will be smooth-sailing. Hopefully, your experience will be made a little better with these tips.