Pop superstar Lady Gaga has announced her Mayhem World Tour, set to promote her latest album with stops in Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, and Singapore. The latter, taking place on May 18, 19, 21, and 24 at the National Stadium, is the only Asian stop on the tour—a decision that has left Filipino fans, and much of Southeast Asia, feeling sidelined.
For Filipino Little Monsters, the announcement is bittersweet. The last time Lady Gaga graced the Philippines was in 2012 during her Born This Way Ball Tour, held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. That concert wasn’t just a performance; it was a cultural moment. Despite protests from Christian groups who deemed her music blasphemous, the event became a rallying cry for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies, solidifying freedom of expression as a cornerstone of Philippine pop culture.
Now, with Singapore as the sole Southeast Asian stop, the Mayhem World Tour sets a precedent that positions the city-state as the region’s prime destination for global acts. This isn’t the first time Singapore has monopolized a major tour: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in March 2024 was also exclusive to Singapore. While this exclusivity boosts Singapore’s reputation as a cultural hub, it raises questions about accessibility and competition for neighboring countries.
For Filipino fans, seeing Lady Gaga now means more than just securing a ticket. It involves navigating flight bookings, hotel accommodations, and the high cost of living in Singapore — a financial hurdle that many may struggle to overcome. This exclusivity, while a win for Singapore, feels like a loss for the rest of Southeast Asia, where fans are left to wonder why their countries are consistently overlooked.
Kallang Alive Sport Management (KASM), the corporate entity behind the Singapore concert, has clarified that no government grants were involved in securing the event. According to KASM, the deal was purely commercial. Singapore Tourism Board director Guo Teyi echoed this sentiment, stating, “We welcome Lady Gaga’s concert to Singapore’s vibrant entertainment calendar — an achievement by our industry partners that reflects our city’s appeal as a leading lifestyle destination.” While this may be true, it doesn’t ease the frustration of fans in the Philippines and beyond.
While Singapore has positioned itself as a premier destination for global acts, the Philippines has the potential to reap the same cultural and economic benefits once the government invests in the necessary infrastructure. This includes building world-class venues, streamlining permit processes, and fostering partnerships with international promoters. By prioritizing these improvements, the Philippines can be a valuable stop for artists like Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, but also for fans who don’t have to break the bank to see their favorite popstars live.
