Trying to attend a concert is like attempting to win the lottery – and it’s not just about snagging tickets. It’s also a stroke of luck when your favorite artist decides to perform in your country or ventures elsewhere.
When it comes to concert destinations, Singapore has become a popular choice for musical acts in Southeast Asia as seen in BTS’ SUGA’s recent D-DAY Tour and Taylor Swift’s forthcoming The Eras Tour. To know how to survive Singapore concerts – from ticketing to the actual concert day – read this guide to Singapore concerts for Filipinos.
Ticketing schedules for The Eras Tour in Singapore.
Image credit: ticketmaster.sg
It’s important to familiarize yourself with the different ticketing dates. Usually, there’s a pre-sale that allows a certain group of people a separate ticketing day that gives them more chances of getting tickets.
For K-pop fans, there could be a Weverse membership presale, depending on the K-pop group. Some presales are also targeted to specific bank cardholders, cell network subscribers, or those who have an account with the ticket sales provider such as Ticketmaster.
For The Eras Tour, you should have registered for general on-sale on 23-28 June. General on-sale is on 7th July, Friday, at 12PM SGT, which is also 12PM in PHT. There’s also a UOB Presale on 5th-7th July for which UOB cardholders don’t need to register.
The Eras Tour in Singapore seatplan.
Image credit: ticketmaster.sg
Ticketing can be a bloodbath, so it’s important to prepare everything you may need beforehand.
Know your desired tickets and have a few backups just in case the section you want to be in gets sold out before you can enter. You won’t have much time to decide once you get in as tickets will be selling out fast.
Also, have your debit/credit card details ready somewhere you can easily copy-paste to the ticketing website. Make sure your card is enabled for online purchases and adjust the limit to cover your ticket or your entire friend group’s.
Online ticketing queue.
Image credit: @ShopeeMY via Twitter
On your ticketing day, be on the event’s page on Ticketmaster before the specified ticketing time starts. You’ll automatically be added to the queue when the ticketing time begins.
If you enter on the dot, you’ll likely be a few seconds late and will have a higher queuing number, which lessens your chances of actually snagging tickets.
And remember: Do not refresh the page no matter how long it takes. If you do, you’ll just find yourself at the end of the queue.
ibis budget Singapore Selegie.
Image credit: all.accor.com
Once you’ve snagged tickets, it’s time to iron out the plans for your overseas concert trip. Since you’ve likely spent a fortune on your concert and flight tickets, we’re here to suggest budget accommodations.
While it’s budget-friendly Hotel G Singapore (P6,182, ~USD112.03/night) has a rooftop swimming pool, fitness center, and an in-house restaurant. For a convenient side trip to Little India, check out ibis budget Singapore Selegie (from P4,150, ~USD75.21/night).
If you don’t mind staying in a tiny room or sharing a room with strangers, you can also book your stay at a hostel for cheaper. Blanc Inn has small rooms that aren’t capsules for solo travelers to groups of 4 (from P2,509, ~USD45.47/night).
Hotel G Singapore
Address: 200 Middle Road, Singapore
Contact: +65 6809 7988 | website
ibis budget Singapore Selegie
Address: 183 Selegie Road, Singapore
Contact: +65 6337 7888 | website
Blanc Inn
Address: 151 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore
Contact: website
Hawker food.
Image credit: Nauris Pūķis via Unsplash
SDG30 (~P1225.12) is a good daily allowance in Singapore if you’re on a budget. This can cover 3 meals and transportation costs, granted you eat at hawker stalls where each dish costs around SDG5 (~P204.19).
Hawker centers are commonly found in residential neighborhoods and near some attractions. Here, you can get every day Singaporean dishes such as chicken rice, char kway teow (stir fried rice noodles), and so much more.
To save on some $$$, you can also order kopi (coffee) at hawker stalls instead of at cafes.
Singapore MRT.
Image credit: Euan Cameron via Unsplash
It’s very convenient to commute around Singapore. Trains and buses arrive every few minutes. Figuring out commute routes to and from any point is also easy with Google Maps.
If your concert venue is National Stadium or Singapore Indoor Stadium, you’ll find these right when you exit Stadium MRT Station on the Circle Line. If the East-West Line is more accessible to you, you can also alight at Kallang MRT Station and walk 4 minutes to the venue. Or if you’re going by bus, just get off the Opp Natl Stadium bus stop.
To get around the city-state, get an EZ-Link or NETS Flashpay card from Klook, at the airport, or MRT station. EZ-Link is more convenient for top-ups at MRT stations, 7-Eleven outlets, or through their app. NETS Flashpay cards can only be topped up at 7-Eleven or through their app.
Despite the number of people heading out of the concert venue, you can get home pretty fast after a concert via the MRT.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Image credit: 吉易 via Google Maps
Don’t be discouraged by immigration horror stories. Here are a few tips to make your travel from the Philippines to Singapore easier, including getting through immigration.
Return tickets and hotel booking confirmation are must-have documents to present to the immigration officer. Having a copy of your concert ticket and certificate of employment may also come in handy. A Singapore tourist visa is only needed if you’re staying for over 30 days.
Travel insurance is also a must to secure your safety in a foreign country. These days, it’s easy to find providers for affordable medical emergency and travel coverage on the internet.
To be able to make purchases and withdraw cash with your debit or credit card abroad, it’s best to call your bank ahead of time to inform them that you’re going overseas.
Lastly, get a Singaporean sim or pocket wifi at the airport. It’s good to still have your Philippine sim in a phone so you can receive OTPs for new apps you will download or purchases you will make in Singapore.
Kallang Wave Mall.
Finally, here are some tips to enjoy your concert day in Singapore.
It’s fun to express yourself through elaborate ‘fits during a concert. But take note that Singapore is very hot and humid, so wear something light and comfy as much as possible.
Keep your bag within 35cm x 20cm x 30cm (~14in x 8in x 12in). If you’re heading to the stadium from the airport or a shopping spree, there are lockers available for SGD10 (~P408.37) per item. To know what items you’re prohibited to bring to either of the stadiums, check Singapore Sports Hub’s website.
Most importantly, make sure to eat before the concert. You’ll need a lot of energy to queue and enjoy the event. Kallang is Wave Mall is right by the stadiums for food and AC as you wait for the queue to start.
Now that you’ve read this guide to Singapore concerts for Filipinos, you’re now equipped with the things you need to know to get a ticket and travel to the Little Red Dot as a concert goer. We wish you luck on getting those coveted concert tix!
For a more detailed Singapore itinerary, read these things to do in Singapore for Filipinos which include visiting free-entry attractions. To prepare for your trip and secure your concert ‘fit, check out these travel bags and luggages.
Cover image adapted from: Kirill Petropavlov via Unsplash
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