Your Ultimate Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Survival Guide

I remember it all too well. The ticketing bloodbath. The ‘Great War’, we called it. Many were left in the dust – rendered ticketless at the end of the harrowing journey. But many got their coveted ticket. Over 300,000 of you in the whole of Southeast Asia triumphed in the historic ticketing war and became the most envied of them all. And you will be walking through the golden gates of the National Stadium on 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 March 2024 for Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour. But this will be yet another war to conquer, and you’ll need your ammunition. Enter, this survival guide!

We’ve never been ones to gatekeep. Trust us; we did a holy grail ticketing guide for this very concert with hacks and tips the world never wants you to find out. Now that the six heavenly nights are upon us, there’s no way we’re about to hold back. We scoured the internet for every trick in the book that will ensure you don’t just survive but thrive. Here’s everything you should know to thrive during the biggest concert of the year, The Eras Tour – from the setlist and expected timeline to knowing the venue and surviving the night. Oh yes, everything.

The Show

First of all, let’s get the basics out of the way. Taylor Swift will be bringing The Eras Tour to Singapore at the National Stadium on 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 March 2024. During these six incredible nights, Taylor will take you on an adventure spanning 18 years and 10 albums, or as in the incredible Taylor Swift lore, 10 eras – Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, Reputation, Lover, Folklore, Evermore, and Midnights.

She will be performing 44 songs in total (including two surprise songs!) over the course of more than three hours. Let’s make some noise for Taylor’s stamina everyone, because that’s so admirable! Not many artists can do this, and not many do, which immediately raises the worth of the price tag on the tickets tenfold.

Here’s what the average setlist has looked like across all of Taylor’s shows:

But don’t you dare think that knowing the setlist means you know what’s coming! Mind you, Taylor will never let you get too comfortable. On top of her surprise songs, Taylor might hit you with a curveball and switch some songs in her setlist, so you never know what’s about to come. Thus, the mystery of this great woman!

Well, that’s Taylor Swift. But part of what makes the Singapore stop of The Eras Tour so awaited with such bated breath is the opening act – Sabrina Carpenter. Pop princess in the making, Sabrina will be warming up the stage and the fans with 10 songs, before Taylor takes the floor. 

Here’s her expected setlist:

1. Read your Mind
2. Feather
3. Vicious
4. Already Over
5. Tornado Warnings
6. opposite
7. Hopelessly Devoted to You (John Farrar cover)
8. Fast Times
9. because i liked a boy
10. Nonsense (with a custom outro!)

We’ve also found you a Spotify playlist with all the songs from both Sabrina and Taylor’s sets, which we’ve linked right at the bottom of the article! 

Anyway, Sabrina’s set is expected to start at 6pm, as per the ticket. But I think we’ve all learned to take this timing with a pinch of salt, because when has an artist ever come out on stage on time? Nonetheless, be there early so you have time to find your seat, soak in the vibes, and take your pictures or make your TikToks. The doors open at 4pm, so the stadium will be your oyster! 

As per what we’ve seen during the Australia stops, Sabrina’s set is expected to last around 30 to 45 minutes. After that, there will be another 30 minutes before Mother Swift takes the stage. This is your time to get your affairs in order. Use the restroom. Refill your bottles (we’ll get to that!). Exchange your bracelets (and this too!). Brace yourselves for the magic that’s about to unfold in front of you!

Thus, here’s a super rough timeline of what your night could look like. Once again, take into account that there could be delays, depending on what time the artists get on and off the stage.

• 6.00pm – Sabrina Carpenter comes on stage
• 6.45pm – Sabrina Carpenter’s set ends
• 7.15pm – Taylor Swift comes on stage
• 11.15pm – Taylor Swift’s set ends

The Venue

Now that we’ve established an estimated timeline, here are some tips and tricks to make the most out of your time. Remember, you’re looking at almost four hours of concert time. It’s crucial that you stay safe and in top-notch condition to enjoy your time.

Know your gate (refer to your ticket) and follow your signs there. But don’t worry if you’re lost. The stadium is one big circle, so wherever you walk, you’re bound to end up at your gate if you walk long enough, and there will be staff around you to direct you.

All around the venue, you’ll find water coolers and restrooms. As you walk to your gate, locate the ones nearest to you. These will be your lifesavers. They will be extremely crowded, so you should plan your time well. 

Use the restroom before Sabrina comes on stage, preferably at Kallang Wave Mall. Go to the upper levels and the ones furthest from the main entrance to avoid the snaking queues. There will be gazillions queuing for the restroom during the window between Sabrina’s exit and Taylor’s entrance, so use that time at the water coolers instead. It’s said that the switch from era to era takes a while, especially between Reputation and Speak Now, so that’s also toilet and water cooler time for you. Just be ready to run back if you hear her royal Swiftness coming back on.

Unfortunately, there is no outside food and beverages, but snack bars are all around to keep yourself somewhat satiated, though a tad overpriced, as expected. Best to eat to your heart’s content before heading in and, most importantly, stay hydrated.

What to Bring

Half of your survival ability depends on your weaponry, AKA what you bring with you. Number one on this list is, obviously, your ticket. Whether you bring a physical copy or an electronic ticket on your phone, be sure to bring it with you and even come prepared with extra copies (hardcopy or softcopy), just in case.

With Singapore’s scorching weather, water is crucial to keep you going. While outside food and beverages are not allowed, do bring along an empty bottle you can refill at the water coolers inside. Next, pack a trusty portable charger. Your poor device will be hard at work snapping the night away, so a portable will surely save your and your phone’s life. 

National Stadium is notorious for being grossly hot. Combined with the jumping and dancing, you’re bound to be doing all night, you will be heating up like crazy. Cue the portable fan! You can find really good ones on Shopee or at MINISO. I’d also bring a lip balm to tend to your dry lips from the heat and extreme screaming you’re about to do (but maybe that’s just the lip balm fanatic in me speaking!).

It’s also advisable to bring along earplugs. You’ll be in the centre of 55,000 screaming fans, accompanied by Taylor’s majestic voice booming over the massive speakers surrounding you at the venue. Earplugs will protect you while still ensuring a fantastic experience. Try these PQ Ear Plugs from Amazon SG, as Singaporean TikToker, Nicole Liel recommended. To my dearest concert enthusiasts, it’s time we start caring for our hearing health!

Arm yourself with whatever else you think will brace you for your experience! But there are some no-nos of what not to bring – things like liquids (not even perfume!) or cameras aren’t allowed. This list prepared by Singapore Sports Hub tells you everything that could curtail your entry.

Chants

Alright, Singapore. It’s time to step up. We need to take home the title that is rightfully ours, a birthright, if you will. We need to be the loudest city that Taylor has performed in. Many artists have been floored by our volume and sheer power as we scream for them with our all – Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, James Arthur, just to name a few!

So, how dare we hold back for the biggest show to hit Singapore in 2024? If Singapore is Taylor’s only stop in the whole of Southeast Asia, we need to show her the same might we’ve shown during the historic ticketing war. And this is how – the chants.

Swifties have crafted chants for fans to scream during various songs, to feel like we’re talking to Taylor ourselves. The beauty of the relationship between Taylor and her fans is the way they honour each other and show how tight-knit they are as one big family. Embrace this beautiful tradition, learn all the chants, and scream them as loud as you can!

Your Escape Route

Alright, darlings. Chin up, because this is the part of the concert we all hate – leaving the holy confines in which Mother Swift performed to face the crowds swarming outside, standing between you and your ride home. 

The news that shook the country was that SHINee, the iconic K-Pop group that has revolutionised the industry, will be performing at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 2 March 2024, also the first night of The Eras Tour. The crowds will be nothing short of insane.

You have several options, but anything beyond public transport is a bad idea. You will be caught in insane traffic jams just to get out of the area. It’s not worth it. 

Your first option is to exit the venue immediately after Taylor leaves and make a beeline for the MRT station. You will be caught in the barrage of people and have quite a queue to face, but with the swift management of the crowd control team, you should be on a train in less than 20 minutes. That is, if you’re early enough and things don’t go off the rails.

If you need a second to decompress from the life-changing experience your soul just bore witness to, you could stay back in the venue a little longer (though it won’t be long till the staff comes chasing you away), or you could get out and seat yourself at the benches or on the stairs. You might even need an additional dose of hydration, which Cheers and Fairprice Xtra will be excellent for. However, their official opening hours are only till 10pm and 11pm respectively, and the concert is expected to end only after 11pm. We don’t know how their opening hours will vary, but it’d be a good measure for you to check them out.

Once you’re ready to take your leave, check out the queue situation at Stadium MRT station. If you feel good about joining the queue, go right ahead. If not, here are some other options – you could walk to Kallang, Mountbatten or Nicoll Highway MRT stations, which are all a 20 to 25-minute walk away. It might seem crazy after an exhausting concert, but the walk in the cool breeze of the night with the people you love will be more than bearable. You could also choose to cycle!

But here’s where Singapore’s innovation shines. Being blessed by the concert gods and being plunged head-first into concert season, some companies have stepped forth with shuttle bus services that will ride you out of the woods to various drop-off points islandwide.

One of them is GrabShuttle, a returning hit from the iconic ride-hailing service that you can always count on to bring you home, even after a crazy concert, like they did for Coldplay! After the concert, head to Pickup Point A (follow the signs from Gate 14) for a free journey through two routes – Route A is from the stadium to Redhill MRT station and then to Jurong East MRT Station, and Route B is from the stadium to Boon Keng MRT station to Toa Payoh MRT station. Each bus departs only when it’s full, so fastest legs first! 

Another option is Bussin. They offer dynamic coach services to MRT stations around the island. At just S$14.99, you can pick an MRT station in the different areas around Singapore (East, West, North, East, North-East and Central) where you will be dropped safely. This is especially a reprieve to those who stay far away from the National Stadium. Bookings are now open on their website, so book a ride home after The Eras Tour concert now!

Also, stay tuned to Wagon Asia, who also implemented such services during the Coldplay concert. We hope they bring this back for what we truly think will be one of Singapore’s biggest concerts ever, so keep your eyes peeled.

Accommodations

Singapore being the only stop in Southeast Asia also means that many people from our neighbouring countries will be joining the legions of Swifties here at the National Stadium. If you’re still looking for accommodations, we’ve got three options that cater to different budgets.

If you’re looking to spill bank on your stay here, using the concert to treat yourself to a much-needed vacation, then Conrad Centennial Singapore should be your first pick. This five-star hotel makes you feel at home with its capacious rooms and sumptuous marble-decorated bathrooms. With amenities like the 20-metre Rooftop Pool and the Conrad Spa, the stay starts at S$570 per night. The best part? It’s a four-minute walk from Promenade MRT station, just two stops from Stadium MRT station, or you can also take a bus there from National Stadium!

If you’re looking for something a little less extravagant but not compromising on that vacation feel, then say hello to Strand Hotel. This three-star hotel starts at S$203 a night. The rooms are cosy and humble but come with everything you need. This might be the perfect match for art enthusiasts, as you are a stone’s throw away from the Singapore Art Museum and the National Museum of Singapore. Strand Hotel is also just four stops away from Stadium MRT station or a few bus stops away!

If you’re looking for something affordable yet of superb quality, The Pod Boutique Capsule Hotel should be your first pick. A pod hotel is a tiny space with a bed, various controls, and amenities, like a personal reading light and locker, starting from S$111 per night. I adore pod hotels – they’re cute and cosy, but never compromise on necessities and quality. The best part? This is located near Nicoll Highway MRT station, so you’re just one stop away from the stadium, or even a walk away, to escape the insane crowds. 

Other Parting Tips

This has been our survival guide for the war: Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour. You’re armed with the ammunition you need, but we always love to bestow a little extra, so here are some extra bullets you’d need to conquer this battle.

We mentioned this earlier, and we’ll say it again – anything that isn’t public transport isn’t an option. If you take a cab to the stadium or drive there, you heavily risk getting caught in the traffic jam that plagues our roads on concert days. You risk being late, so, wherever possible, public transport should be your first pick. Nonetheless, if you’re going to take a cab or drive, head to Mountbatten MRT station instead. Alight or park there and take the train to the stadium.

The gates will open at 4pm, and Sabrina is expected to start rocking out at 6. Be there early to take your photos, find your seat and get comfortable. Most importantly, use this time to pay tribute to the tradition started by Swifties during The Eras Tour – exchanging friendship bracelets. This and the time before Taylor takes the stage will be perfect for you to exchange bracelets with those around you.

And finally, dress for the occasion! The beautiful part about The Eras Tour is celebrating the lore that is Taylor Swift, to pay homage to her magnificent career. You and the 55,000 people around you will be a testament to Taylor’s journey that has brought her to this very stage. 

Lucky for you, we’ve done up an era-by-era style guide for both men and women with ideas on where to source your outfits from, as well as traditions that you will see other Swifties honouring, including the bracelets, for which we have all the hot deets if you’re behind. This guide will be your holy grail as you scour your wardrobe and the internet for the perfect outfit, we promise!

This might sound tacky, but be sure to uphold appropriate concert etiquette during your show, to give yourself and the people around you a fantastic time. My experience at James Arthur’s concert was unmatched, in terms of concert etiquette and performance, and I’m manifesting the same energy for all of Taylor’s shows too!

Instead of focusing on videoing the spectacular woman before you, focus on the experience! Sing along with Taylor and the legions of Swifites amongst you. Don’t be afraid of sounding stupid. Not singing along with Taylor Swift at Taylor Swift’s concert is what’s ridiculous! Also, while this is a seated concert, please do stand! Instead of tsking at the people in front of you for standing and obstructing your view, join them and stand up! You’re at a concert, so sing, jump, dance! Be unrecognisable. Be whoever you want. Go crazy.

But not too crazy. Do not push, especially on your way out of the venue after the show. Move to your destination in an orderly fashion. If you’re in line for the train at Stadium MRT station, follow the instructions of the crowd control team. All it takes is one bad move that might ruin everyone’s chances of going home, so be careful.

And with that, this survival guide comes to an end. You’re now battle-ready for what’s to come and to be witnessed at the record-shattering The Eras Tour! We have left no stone unturned in equipping you to make the most of your concert experience. Likewise, we hope you leave no stone unturned in enjoying the show and the queen herself performing before your eyes. Await with bated breath for Taylor to finally say, “Welcome to The Eras Tour”.

Take your seat among the troops of Swifties with pride. But now, one final question remains. And it’s never rung more true.

Are you ready for it?

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour in Singapore

Dates: 2, 3, 4 and 7, 8, 9 March 2024
Location: 1 Stadium Dr, Singapore National Stadium, Singapore 397629

All Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour tickets in Singapore at the National Stadium are completely sold out. For more information on Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour, stay updated on the Singapore Sports Hub’s official website and Taylor Swift’s official website. Also, to do your homework and learn all the songs you’ll hear in the show in advance, check out this Spotify playlist – consisting of both Sabrina and Taylor’s songs!

Visuals courtesy of Singapore Sports Hub.