Shanghai plans to do a Singapore, courts 'walking GDP' Taylor Swift for concert

China’s economy is in recovery mode. The country is doing everything it can to reverse the slowdown and one way of doing so is by attracting international artists to hold concerts in key Chinese cities.

Zhang Qi, deputy director of Shanghai’s Culture and Tourism Bureau, said that the administration has hosted pop singer Taylor Swift’s team to hold preliminary discussions for a potential concert in the city this year, according to local media outlet The Paper. 

He said, “As for whether it will ultimately happen, it depends on the market and the attractiveness of our city. However, we are optimistic and think that there may be hope for this year.”

Swift’s concerts attract millions of fans or “Swifties” as they like to call themselves, driving economies across the world in an unprecedented way. Last year, advisers in the Shanghai government called artists like Taylor Swift “walking GDP” owing to their impact on economies.

Inspired by how her concerts have given a boost to various countries across the world, officials have called for ease of restrictions on international singers so they can also host high-profile shows.

The Shanghai municipal government’s counsellors’ office stated on its social media account last year that government departments should simplify approvals, visas, customs procedures, and other logistical hurdles that hinder the ability to attract top-tier talent.

China is historically not known for being a popular destination for artists to go on tours. Most of the blame goes to the government which has not been receptive to international performers. So, hosting a Taylor Swift concert is not going to be a cakewalk either.

However, Shanghai, a vibrant centre for cultural events, has hosted numerous large-scale commercial performances in recent years, experiencing a growing demand for live shows. The city frequently serves as the first destination for international stars touring mainland China.

Meanwhile, this year, rap superstars such as Cardi B and Travis Scott have been invited to perform in Hainan, a southern island province. In September, two sold-out Kanye West concerts in Hainan generated an estimated 700 million yuan (US$95.5 million) in tourism revenue.