When it comes to K-pop concerts, preparation is key. The best concert experiences are when you don’t have to stress about the bag checks and how to get home. That way, you can enjoy the full two hours (or more) and get the best bang for your buck, especially since concert tickets don’t come cheap.
To help you along, here’s all you need to know about how to enjoy K-pop concerts in Singapore – because there’s always going to be one in town.
K-pop girl group Twice performing in Singapore on Sep 2, 2023. (Photo: JYP Entertainment)
TICKETING TIPS
Ticket wars are serious business and not for the faint of heart. For some artistes, shows get sold out within hours, if not minutes. As a reminder, it would be best to ensure you’re logged into your account on the site of the official ticketing partner a day prior. Doing this prevents any potential delays or hiccups as you’re making the purchase.
On another note, make sure to check ticket validity when buying from resellers. The last thing you want is to fall victim to scammers and scalpers.
Lastly, get print-at-home (PAH) tickets during your purchase and have it downloaded on your phone – it’s free and convenient.
However, if you’re someone who likes the feel of physical tickets and enjoys keeping them after the show as memorabilia, you can head down to the box office on concert day to collect it or have the ticket mailed to you – both at a fee.
Depending on the official ticketing partner, there are different supporting documents needed for box office collection, such as your ID or a photocopy of your credit card. This means that those with tickets from resellers would not be able to get their hands on the physical tickets.
AIRPORT SPOTTING
Ever wonder how fans get to spot their K-idols at the airport? Turns out management companies will sometimes publish the information to media sources or established fansites, so you would know the exact departure and arrival time of the idols.
Travellers walk through a transit hall at Changi Airport in Singapore on May 13, 2022. (File photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman)
That doesn’t happen all the time though, so in other cases, fans may be left guessing when their idol will appear. The trick to this is to check officially published schedules. If you’re able to find out the departure and destination location, as well as the date they’re flying, then it’ll give you a better chance of deducing the right flight they’re on, along with their arrival time.
Airport spotting is part of the K-pop fan culture, but it’s important to maintain respectful boundaries in such parasocial relationships – steer clear of illegal methods of spotting your idols at the airport.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Lots of K-pop concerts in Singapore take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the smaller of the two concert venues at Kallang (and for those taking the train, located to your left once you step out of Exit A of Stadium MRT).
SMRT staff directing crowd at the Stadium MRT station concourse. (Photo: SMRT)
The crowd may be intimidating, but there’s nothing to be worried about. The management’s track record during the Taylor Swift shows was exemplary and going home was very efficient.
But if you truly hate long queues, try walking to the neighbouring MRT stations. Mountbatten MRT is a 20-minute walk from the Singapore Indoor Stadium, while Kallang MRT station may take you approximately half an hour.
TIMINGS
K-concert timings can sometimes be complicated if you factor in access to pre-concert soundchecks and early queues for the standing pen.
Soundcheck access is usually only available for VIP ticket holders. For these lucky fans, the schedule details will come from the event organisers.
Blackpink during their soundcheck on May 13, 2023 at the National Stadium in Singapore. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)
Ticket holders for the standing pen may need to note what time the queue starts, as well as the cut-off time. This ensures you enter in the order of the queue number assigned to you, so you can get the best possible view of your idols. Standing pen ticket holders who reach after the queue cut-off time will have to wait until all other fans in the holding area enter to be let in.
Fans who are intent on buying merchandise are recommended to arrive three to four hours before the start of the show to do so.
Here’s another plus point to arriving early – you’ll have time to exchange photocards and meet new friends.
LIGHTSTICKS AND OFFICIAL COLOURS
Speaking of merch, lightsticks are an indispensable part of K-concert culture. To ensure you have one for the concert, order the lightstick of your choice in advance – you certainly don’t want your lightstick to arrive at your doorstep only after the concert. You can purchase lightsticks directly from the entertainment company’s websites, official lightstick retailers, or other trusted K-pop merchandise retailers.
Otherwise, you could wait for the merch list to drop in order to check whether lightsticks are part of the tour merch, but bear in mind you may not be guaranteed one.
Kpop group NCT 127 during their Neo City: The Origin world tour stop in Singapore. (Photo Credit ONE Production)
Whether you’re bringing one you already own or buying a new one on site, just make sure the lightstick is loaded with batteries and you’re good to go.
But fret not if you’re not one for lightsticks – there’s another way to show you’re part of the fandom. It’s common practice to rep the fandom’s official colour by incorporating it in your concert outfit one way or another.
SETLIST AND FANCHANTS
Concerts are more fun when you’re able to sing along, so you might want to do a refresher before you go.
Pre-concert, check the setlist on music streaming sites and listen on repeat – after all, the best way to enjoy a K-pop concert is to sing along. And if you don’t know the lyrics by heart, download these on a PDF for reference before entering the venue as reception inside concert arenas is often unreliable.
As for fanchants, K-pop idols usually release an official guide on YouTube for certain songs, complete with on-screen lyrics.
PROHIBITED ITEMS & CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO BRING
Some items may be prohibited from concert venues. Different concert venues will have different regulations, but for the Singapore Indoor Stadium specifically, here are some items you should not be bringing with you to concerts:
On the other hand, you can (and probably should!) enter with:
Don't forget too that there will be bag and body checks at the venue. And if you don't want to queue up for drinks, there are always the water coolers all around to fill up those empty water bottles.
For more information on any prohibited items for concerts at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, check the official website for its conditions of entry.
Continue reading...
To help you along, here’s all you need to know about how to enjoy K-pop concerts in Singapore – because there’s always going to be one in town.
K-pop girl group Twice performing in Singapore on Sep 2, 2023. (Photo: JYP Entertainment)
TICKETING TIPS
Ticket wars are serious business and not for the faint of heart. For some artistes, shows get sold out within hours, if not minutes. As a reminder, it would be best to ensure you’re logged into your account on the site of the official ticketing partner a day prior. Doing this prevents any potential delays or hiccups as you’re making the purchase.
On another note, make sure to check ticket validity when buying from resellers. The last thing you want is to fall victim to scammers and scalpers.
Lastly, get print-at-home (PAH) tickets during your purchase and have it downloaded on your phone – it’s free and convenient.
However, if you’re someone who likes the feel of physical tickets and enjoys keeping them after the show as memorabilia, you can head down to the box office on concert day to collect it or have the ticket mailed to you – both at a fee.
Depending on the official ticketing partner, there are different supporting documents needed for box office collection, such as your ID or a photocopy of your credit card. This means that those with tickets from resellers would not be able to get their hands on the physical tickets.
AIRPORT SPOTTING
Ever wonder how fans get to spot their K-idols at the airport? Turns out management companies will sometimes publish the information to media sources or established fansites, so you would know the exact departure and arrival time of the idols.
Travellers walk through a transit hall at Changi Airport in Singapore on May 13, 2022. (File photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman)
That doesn’t happen all the time though, so in other cases, fans may be left guessing when their idol will appear. The trick to this is to check officially published schedules. If you’re able to find out the departure and destination location, as well as the date they’re flying, then it’ll give you a better chance of deducing the right flight they’re on, along with their arrival time.
Airport spotting is part of the K-pop fan culture, but it’s important to maintain respectful boundaries in such parasocial relationships – steer clear of illegal methods of spotting your idols at the airport.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Lots of K-pop concerts in Singapore take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the smaller of the two concert venues at Kallang (and for those taking the train, located to your left once you step out of Exit A of Stadium MRT).
SMRT staff directing crowd at the Stadium MRT station concourse. (Photo: SMRT)
The crowd may be intimidating, but there’s nothing to be worried about. The management’s track record during the Taylor Swift shows was exemplary and going home was very efficient.
But if you truly hate long queues, try walking to the neighbouring MRT stations. Mountbatten MRT is a 20-minute walk from the Singapore Indoor Stadium, while Kallang MRT station may take you approximately half an hour.
TIMINGS
K-concert timings can sometimes be complicated if you factor in access to pre-concert soundchecks and early queues for the standing pen.
Soundcheck access is usually only available for VIP ticket holders. For these lucky fans, the schedule details will come from the event organisers.
Blackpink during their soundcheck on May 13, 2023 at the National Stadium in Singapore. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)
Ticket holders for the standing pen may need to note what time the queue starts, as well as the cut-off time. This ensures you enter in the order of the queue number assigned to you, so you can get the best possible view of your idols. Standing pen ticket holders who reach after the queue cut-off time will have to wait until all other fans in the holding area enter to be let in.
Fans who are intent on buying merchandise are recommended to arrive three to four hours before the start of the show to do so.
Here’s another plus point to arriving early – you’ll have time to exchange photocards and meet new friends.
LIGHTSTICKS AND OFFICIAL COLOURS
Speaking of merch, lightsticks are an indispensable part of K-concert culture. To ensure you have one for the concert, order the lightstick of your choice in advance – you certainly don’t want your lightstick to arrive at your doorstep only after the concert. You can purchase lightsticks directly from the entertainment company’s websites, official lightstick retailers, or other trusted K-pop merchandise retailers.
Otherwise, you could wait for the merch list to drop in order to check whether lightsticks are part of the tour merch, but bear in mind you may not be guaranteed one.
Kpop group NCT 127 during their Neo City: The Origin world tour stop in Singapore. (Photo Credit ONE Production)
Whether you’re bringing one you already own or buying a new one on site, just make sure the lightstick is loaded with batteries and you’re good to go.
But fret not if you’re not one for lightsticks – there’s another way to show you’re part of the fandom. It’s common practice to rep the fandom’s official colour by incorporating it in your concert outfit one way or another.
SETLIST AND FANCHANTS
Concerts are more fun when you’re able to sing along, so you might want to do a refresher before you go.
Pre-concert, check the setlist on music streaming sites and listen on repeat – after all, the best way to enjoy a K-pop concert is to sing along. And if you don’t know the lyrics by heart, download these on a PDF for reference before entering the venue as reception inside concert arenas is often unreliable.
As for fanchants, K-pop idols usually release an official guide on YouTube for certain songs, complete with on-screen lyrics.
PROHIBITED ITEMS & CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO BRING
Some items may be prohibited from concert venues. Different concert venues will have different regulations, but for the Singapore Indoor Stadium specifically, here are some items you should not be bringing with you to concerts:
- Glassware or glass bottles
- Outside food and beverage including alcohol
- Tripods, monopods or selfie sticks
- Cameras including professional cameras
On the other hand, you can (and probably should!) enter with:
- Empty water bottles
- Portable charger
Don't forget too that there will be bag and body checks at the venue. And if you don't want to queue up for drinks, there are always the water coolers all around to fill up those empty water bottles.
For more information on any prohibited items for concerts at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, check the official website for its conditions of entry.
Continue reading...