Lady Gaga in Singapore: no grant for exclusive concert stop like Taylor Swift

Culture minister hails coming shows for yet another global superstar performer, with ticket sales to start March 18

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American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga will perform four shows at an exclusive stop in Singapore in May. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:45pm, 10 Mar 2025Updated: 6:15pm, 10 Mar 2025

American pop icon Lady Gaga will perform four shows in Singapore in May during her latest concert tour’s only stop in Asia, the city state’s Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong has revealed.

Contrary to earlier speculation, the Singapore government did not provide a grant for Lady Gaga’s concerts, unlike the deal secured for fellow superstar Taylor Swift last year.

Singapore last year reportedly brokered a US$2 million to US$3 million deal for Swift to perform six shows in exchange for keeping her concerts exclusive to Singapore in Southeast Asia, drawing criticism in the region, including from then Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin.

“No government grants were given to secure this event. This was a purely commercial arrangement between the artist and the venue, and an agreement was entered into,” Tong said in parliament on Monday afternoon during a debate on his ministry’s budget.

He noted that the deal was handled by Kallang Alive Sport Management, the corporate entity established by his ministry, and which had negotiated directly with the artist and her team, including entertainment company Live Nation.

Tong had earlier on Monday said on social media: “We have had a blockbuster 2024 with an incredible lineup of some of the most popular global artists performing at our Sports Hub.”