General ticket sales for the Singapore shows are open only to those who registered in June and were selected to receive a code, although the code does not guarantee a ticket. Ticketmaster described the added step as “an extra line of defense against bots.”
But the competition, as well as the prospect of traveling long distances, haven’t stopped Asian Swifties from trying to see their star.
Khan said he waited four hours in line for a United Overseas Bank card after the international shows were announced last month. On Wednesday, he readied himself hours before the presale began, opening multiple browsers on five different devices.
Even so, his chances looked bleak. Almost all his numbers in line were six or seven digits: 600,000, 800,000, 1 million.
“Thankfully, one of the queue numbers was 59,000,” he said. “The one browser was my only hope to get the tickets.”
He had his ticket after an hour, and has already booked his hotel and transportation.
Like their counterparts in the U.S., Swift fans in Asia have complained about bots and scalpers. If it weren’t for them, Khan said, “more real fans would be able to buy the concert tickets.”
Fans shut out from the Singapore presale had another opportunity Friday, when general ticket sales began.
Marine Wu, a 27-year-old student from China, said Friday that she had been “tossing and turning since last night” because she was so nervous.
“I don’t want to miss this opportunity to see her,” she said.
When she succeeded, Wu said, she was so excited that she “ran around my house twice.”
“I think the reason why she is so popular around the world, not only in America but also in Asia, is because of her original musical authenticity,” said Lee Yongwoo, an assistant professor in cultural studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Lee praised Swift’s composition and songwriting skills.
“Her songs are unique, and she is a storyteller that tells stories resonating with people.”
Even Pita Limjaroenrat, Thailand’s leading candidate for prime minister, declared himself a Swiftie, inviting the singer to return to the country where her sold-out concert was called off in 2014 after the military seized power days before.
“Hey Taylor! Big fan of yours,” Pita, the leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, said on Twitter. “Btw, Thailand is back on track to be fully democratic after you had to cancel last time due to the coup. The Thai people have spoken via the election and we all look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful nation of ours!”
Other fans are still holding out hope they’ll have a seat at a show.
Blue Shi, 26, a teacher who lives in China’s Fujian province, joined the Tokyo lottery after failing to get a code to buy tickets in Singapore, and is waiting for the results to be released later this month.
To travel to Japan, she would have to fly several hours and obtain a passport and visa, which she is paying a travel agency to help her with. She would also need to get colleagues to cover for her while she is away.
“Not a problem for me at all,” said Shi, who said she started listening to Swift in junior high school because she was touched by her songs, especially the ones about love. “Having the ticket will empower me to overcome all difficulties.”
