Taylor Swift’s Western Australian fans — including Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti’s daughter — have been left shattered by the US pop icon’s decision to skip Perth in her upcoming two-city tour of Australia.
In a move labelled disappointing by the Minister, Swift announced five Australian concerts in Sydney and Melbourne next February, leaving livid WA fans decrying another international act’s decision to avoid Australia’s western capital.
The Australian leg of the tour will start next year in Melbourne on February 16 and 17 at the MCG before Swift heads to Sydney’s Accor Stadium on February 23, 24 and 25.
Swift last toured Australia in 2018 as part of her Reputation Tour, which she opened by playing two sold-out shows at Optus Stadium but this time she’s snubbing Perth.
Ms Saffioti, who said her 11-year-old daughter was an upset Swift fan after the announcement, called on the star to reconsider.
“Naturally I share the disappointment that Taylor Swift won’t be coming to Western Australia,” the Minister said.
“Like most young people, my 11-year-old is particularly upset.
“For the sake of Taylor’s fans here in Western Australia, I hope she considers an additional performance in WA.”
In May, international rock stars Coldplay announced they would exclusively play Perth as part of a world tour, paid for by the State Government.
The funding deal, the size of which the State Government has refused to disclose, was aimed at drawing interstate and international visitors to Perth.
“The point of difference with Coldplay is we secured a unique tourism opportunity to bring the world’s biggest band to Perth for one off performances,” Ms Saffioti said.
“Coldplay is not performing anywhere else in the country, which means people will have to come to Western Australia to see them perform.
“This will deliver a huge number of visitors to Perth and a flow on economic windfall for local businesses and our retail, hospitality, and tourism industries in the state.”
Federal Perth MP Patrick Gorman turned to Tay-Tay’s songbook to lament that it was a “Cruel Summer that has Sweet Nothing for Perth”.
“We have a Taylor-made venue at Optus Stadium. WA is Ready for It,” he said on Facebook.
While they’re great cities — the loss is hers. She could come to Western Australia enjoy a much better time.
“No Bad Blood, I am confident the swifties of WA will use all their powers to change this.”
Perth Swiftie Lauren Miranda told 7NEWS she found the decision devastating.
“Every time she does her Australian ours she usually alternates between Perth and Adelaide but it was really disappointing to learn there’s only those few shows and we’re going to be fighting for those shows with all Australia and New Zealand,” she said.
Another fan Delaney Burke waited until midnight for the reveal of the tour locations.
“Perth again doesn’t exist I guess,” she said.
“Maybe that should be our new premier’s first – or one of his first jobs – get Taylor Swift here please.”
But Premier Roger Cook ruled out trying to negotiate with Swift’s management.
“I’m not aware that there was an opportunity to actually undertake a bid in that context,” he said.
“My understanding is that Taylor Swift is going to Sydney and Melbourne.
“While they’re great cities — the loss is hers. She could come to Western Australia enjoy a much better time.”
Mr Cook suggested Swift consider a Perth detour on her next Asian concert tour.
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