No govt grants given to secure Lady Gaga's concerts in S'pore: Edwin Tong

No government grants were given to secure Lady Gaga's upcoming concerts in May, according to Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong.

Concert arrangement was negotiated directly between Kallang Alive Sport Management and Lady Gaga

Speaking in Parliament on Mar. 10, Tong said the event arrangements for the pop star's concert was handled by Kallang Alive Sport Management (KASM) who negotiated directly with Lady Gaga and her team, including Live Nation.

"This was a purely commercial arrangement between the artiste and the venue" he added.

In elaborating on KASM's aims for the Sports Hub, he explained:

"KASM pushes for events like this to take place at the Sports Hub, to bring a diversity and a range of different events to Singapore, including top-class marquee events. But at the same time, there's a good mix...of local events, sporting events that take place at the Sports Hub, including community and school events."

Tong was responding to a question posed by Member of Parliament (MP) Sitoh Yih Pin who asked if the government had given any grants for these concerts.

STB: Lady Gaga's concert reflects Singapore's appeal as a lifestyle destination

In response to media queries, the Singapore Tourism Board's (STB) Director of Leisure Events Guo Teyi said Lady Gaga's upcoming concerts is an achievement by "industry partners" that reflects Singapore's appeal as a "leading" lifestyle destination, CNA reported.

Lady Gaga will be performing in Singapore on May 18, 19, 21 and 24 at the National Stadium.

Singapore will be her only stop in Asia in her concert tour.

She last performed in Singapore in 2012, as part of her "Born This Way Ball" tour.

Left image via Sport Singapore, right image via Lady Gaga/Instagram