The list of Highest Grossing Concert Tours of All Time.
One worthy of study is what are the best-selling musical tours of all time? Naturally, among other things, one must take into account the number of performances, average ticket pricing, and inflation rates throughout the years when trying to figure overall ticket sale income. Still, based on the available data, some academics have ranked the most successful tours based on gross income. Let us now review some of the top visiting earners in this section.
One name is supreme in terms of touring income: Michael Jackson, the unquestionably King of Pop. From 1987 to 1989, his bad world tour brought about $125 million. Transformed into today's money, this comes to more than $250 million. Over 15 countries, the lengthy and ambitious tour had 123 shows which more than 4.4 million people attended to see Jackson's magic movements and lovely vocals performing hit songs. It proved Jackson to be among the most successful live performers of all time.
Following Jackson closely is the Rolling Stones, the rock band that has been playing since the 1960s. With ticket averages exceeding the $100 mark, the huge A Bigger Bang Tour from 2005 to 2007 brought in approximately $558 million. Attaching crowds of more than 4 million, the band proved that they were still as lively and appealing as they had been in their best years. Their latter somewhat interrupted No Filter Tour from 2017 to 2021 brought in nearly $415 million.
The third spot goes to U2, the socially conscious apostles of Arena Rock. Over 2009-2011, their 360° Tour produced an incredible $736 million. On massive claw-like platforms, the band performed legendary songs both old and new for more than 7 million fans jammed in crowded stadiums. This indicates that the band has traveled far and has future possibilities to develop into other entities.
Other rock icons also take their spots in all-time rankings. While the Steel Wheels Tour brought more than $260 million in 1989-1990, the Voodoo Lounge Tour of the Rolling Stones brought $320 million in 1994-1995. Originally the band's first tour after Roger Waters, Pink Floyd's Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour from 1987–1990 made $250 million. On his 228-show Rising Tour in 2002–2003 Bruce Springsteen brought in $204 million.
Two more popular musicians who have started quite successful concert tours are Madonna and Taylor Swift. While Swift's 1989 global tour in 2015 became the highest-grossing tour for any country artist, with a gross of over $ 250m, Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour in 2008–09 made over $ 400m from 85 events. Including The Eagles, Garth Brooks, Celine Dion, and the Spice Girls, several performers have started tours with a grossing range of $100- $200 million.
A few of the most often booked recent tours provide a taste of the live music scene of today. Ed Sheeran brought in $432 million on his Divide Tour between 2017 and 2019; Metallica made $181 million on the WorldWired Tour between 2016 and 2017. Over the last ten years, old-fashioned rock acts such as Depeche Mode, Guns N' Roses, and Coldplay have also been ruling gigs and making hundreds of millions.
Regarding the future, some industry insiders anticipate that today’s leading pop idols will have incredible revenues when they tour. For instance, if Justin Bieber decided to embark on a giant world tour on par with Jackson or U2, estimates show he could gross almost $1 billion. Rihanna, Post Malone, Drake, and Lady Gaga also have a staunch followership that will enable them to earn massive figures from global touring based on their hit songs.
However, nobody is going to come close to the great Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, and the current record holder for the most money earned from touring. For sheer entertainment value, musicianship and musicals, showmanship, and pro-show production, his live performances may very well be unrepeatable. That being said, the demand for live concerts is still on the rise globally and today superstars are on course to earn heftier cheques from touring than any other form of outing. They for sure will take their rightful places in the list of the most successful live concert tours in history.
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