For those of us who didn’t manage to get tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, there is still a chance for us to hear Taylor live for free in the vicinity of the National Stadium. I’ll be sharing my experience on the opening night (2nd March) and potential spots to have a free CAT10 experience for Taylor’s concert!
I went down on 2nd March on Taylor’s first show at the National Stadium. We arrived at Stadium MRT at around 6pm and it was already crowded with people. We weren’t sure where would be a good spot for CAT10 experience so we chose the area in front of the main stadium entrance where the roof is opened (as the sound would come out from there).
Finding a Spot
We set up our picnic mat on a small grass patch among the bushes in front of the SportsHub Beach Volleyball Courts.
At around 6pm we were the only ones in the area but it gradually filled up and was full by 7pm.
Would recommend finding a spot before Taylor starts at 7pm to get a comfortable space. We chilled and enjoyed our takeaway dinner whilst listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s opening act when waiting for Taylor Swift’s main act.
Merch Booth Situation
Was thinking I would be able to help friends purchase merch during the concert but the merch booth was perpetually crowded.
This was the merch booth situation (outside Stadium MRT exit) at ~930pm when the concert was ongoing.
Atmosphere Outside the National Stadium
Although it was quite crowded where picnic mats would be side-by-side with other groups and families, it was nice as everyone would shout the fan chants and sing along together. Many were making friendship bracelets and trading them too.
From where we were at the sound was slightly muffled at some parts. Some other groups were singing (shouting) and they were faster than the songs. It was really high energy but made it difficult to hear Taylor sing especially during popular songs like You Belong With Me and Love Story. Not a bad thing, but something to keep in mind if you prioritise hearing Taylor over the electrifying fan atmosphere.
We left that spot mid-way during the concert to walk around and explore other potential places and I’ve added places we passed by and other potential spots to check out based on other’s experiences.
Locations For CAT10 Eras Tour Experience in Singapore
Since we’re not in the stadium, there are 2 main things to consider on which you want to prioritise: being able to hear Taylor, or atmosphere where you get to interact with other fans etc. These are potential places to consider experiencing the Taylor Swift concert while being outside of the stadium.
Disclaimer: This is a list of potential places I think would offer a good spot to listen to the concert based on my walk around on the first day and other people’s experiences I’ve seen online. It is meant to serve as inspiration for ideas. Crowd management and access to these locations might vary on the day you visit.
Area Near National Stadium Main Entrance
This area is where you can hear the music from the concert the loudest as the National Stadium’s roof is open here. There is a merch stand here and lots of Swifties gathered at this spot on Day 1.
- Very high energy, good for mingling with new swifties or if you want to sing along etc.
- Might be hard to hear Taylor over the fan-based choir for popular songs in this area.
- A bit muffled for some songs
Please note that there is a cycling path in this area. Stopping and standing on the cycling path is not allowed.
Area Near Gate 9 (MRT Exit B)
This area is right outside Stadium MRT Exit B (Kallang Leisure Park side). It’s in front of the VIP entrance and had the clearest sound quality among the 3 areas around the Stadium.
- Chill vibes with space between groups of people.
- It was easier to hear Taylor’s voice at this spot. But not as loud as main entrance.
For this spot, note that it was quite a high traffic area before the concert (since it was near VIP entrance), you might need to wait for the bulk of the crowd to be seated in the Stadium before foot traffic subsides.
Area Near Stadium MRT Exit A
This section is near Stadium MRT Exit A.
- Seemed pretty chill and less crowded (space between different groups).
- The sound was a bit softer and slightly muffled, but it had a more chill atmosphere when I walked by on Day 1.
Tanjong Rhu View
This might be a good spot for avoiding being a part of the large crowd in the Stadium area as it’s located across the river from the National Stadium.
Shared by TikTok user Gregory Kier, it seems like the sound clarity is pretty good, and you can even hear what Taylor is shouting from the spot.
Tips For The Best Eras Tour CAT10 Experience
Bring Foldable Chairs and Picnic Mats
For a comfortable experience, I highly recommend bringing a picnic mat and/or foldable chairs since there are no seating facilities at these spots. They are mainly open spaces.
If you’re planning to picnic on a grassy patch (like we did), recommend getting a waterproof picnic mat in case of wet weather before, after or during the concert.
Prepare for Wet Weather
The spots shared in the list above are open-air. Although located relatively near sheltered areas (e.g. Kallang Wave Mall), it is better to be prepared since there will be a crowd. Bring foldable umbrellas and ponchos to keep you save and dry from the rain.
Bring Food & Drinks
The Kallang Wave Mall area is going to be swarmed with concert goers before the show. Highly recommend bringing your own food from home or dabao from somewhere nearer to your place. The best part about the CAT10 experience is you get to eat (not overpriced) food and enjoy the music!
Leave Early
To avoid being caught in the MRT crowd after the concert for a quicker and smoother journey home, you have the option of leaving earlier before the rest of the Eras Tour crowd exits.
Taylor Swift Eras Tour Singapore Setlist
The setlist is not exactly the same at every show but generally follows the general setlist order below. At every show, she has an acoustic surprise set that apparently is never repeated.
- Lover
- Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince
- Cruel Summer
- The Man
- You Need to Calm Down
- Lover
- The Archer
- Fearless
- Fearless
- You Belong With Me
- Love Story
- Evermore
- ‘Tis the Damn Season
- Willow
- Marjorie
- Champagne Problems
- Tolerate It
- Reputation
- Ready For It?
- Delicate
- Don’t Blame Me
- Look What You Made Me Do
- Speak Now
- Enchanted
- Long Live
- Red
- 22
- We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
- I Knew You Were Trouble
- All Too Well (10-Minute Version)
- Folklore
- The 1
- Betty
- The Last Great American Dynasty
- August
- Illicit Affairs
- My Tears Ricochet
- Cardigan
- 1989
- Style
- Blank Space
- Shake it Off
- Wildest Dreams
- Bad Blood
- Midnights
- Lavender Haze
- Anti-Hero
- Midnight Rain
- Vigilante Shit
- Bejeweled
- Mastermind
- Karma
2024 Eras Tour Singapore Schedule
The Eras Tour in Singapore has shows on 2, 3, 4 & 7, 8, 9 Mar 2024 at the National Stadium.
The show starts at 6pm with a 10-song set by Sabrina Carpenter. Followed by Taylor Swift’s main act at ~7pm.
Tip: You’ll know Taylor’s main act is starting soon when you hear Lady Gaga’s ‘Applause’ being played.
