HONG KONG – This week, Asia was swept by the Taylor Swift phenomenon, with fans from across the continent flocking to Japan to see the latest leg of the American pop star’s Eras Tour. The excitement in Tokyo, where Swift played four sold-out shows from Wednesday to Saturday, was palpable, with the streets covered in snow and buzzing with international fans.
Katherine Medina, a 29-year-old from the Dominican Republic living in Japan, attended the Thursday show at the 55-seat Tokyo Dome. She described an atmosphere of instant connection among fans, despite language barriers, as they cried and celebrated together during the concert.
Swift’s Eras Tour, which began last year and became the first concert tour to break the billion-dollar mark, marks the first stop in Asia for the singer. The tour is not only a spectacle for fans but also an economic boon for the local economies. In Japan, the four shows are estimated to have a significant economic impact, generating an estimated $230 million in ticket revenue and related spending, according to the Economic Impact Research Laboratory.
Japan, as the world’s second-largest music market after the United States, suffered a lull in live music during the Covid-19 pandemic due to border closures and restrictions. Barbara Greene, a lecturer in contemporary Japanese culture at Tokyo International University, noted that Swift is the first major artist fans can’t wait to see since the pandemic’s lull in live music events.
As excitement grows for Swift’s upcoming concerts in Australia and Singapore, there has also been fevered speculation about whether she can make it to Las Vegas in time to support her boyfriend Travis Kelce at the Super Bowl. The Japanese Embassy in Washington confirmed that Tokyo is 17 hours ahead of Las Vegas, a time difference that works in Swift’s favor as she travels towards the U.S.
After the Super Bowl, Swift is scheduled to perform in Australia and Singapore, solidifying her global fanbase and impact as a world-renowned artist. Andee Capellan, an intern for NBC news based in Hong Kong, with contributions from Arata Yamamoto.