List of highest-grossing concert tours

The Eras Tour by Taylor Swift is the highest-grossing tour of all time, as per Pollstar and Forbes estimates.
Coldplay's Music of the Spheres World Tour is the highest-grossing tour ever based on boxscores reported to Billboard

The following is a list of concert tours that have generated the most gross income. The data and rankings come largely from reports by trade publications Billboard and Pollstar. Billboard, which launched the boxscore ranking in 1975 through its spin-off magazine Amusement Business, has featured the ranking in its own magazine since the issue date of October 3, 1981.[1] Pollstar began reporting box office data on November 29, 1981,[2] but it has relatively little information about pre-2000 tours.[3] In the early 21st century, tour revenue skyrocketed as record sales collapsed and musicians began relying on live shows for their income.[4]

The first tours to surpass $100 million in revenue, according to reports, were Michael Jackson's Bad World Tour and Pink Floyd's A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour, which both ran from 1987 to 1989.

In 2023, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour allegedly became the first tour to collect US$1 billion in revenue, based on estimates by Pollstar.[5][6] In October 2024, Forbes estimated the tour's gross at US$1.93 billion from 121 shows, though Swift has yet to officially report the gross.[A] In 2024, Coldplay's Music of the Spheres World Tour became the first to gross over US$1 billion in revenue based on officially reported boxscores.[9][10]

While the touring industry is largely dominated by bands and male soloists of rock music,[11] some of the highest-grossing tours have featured pop stars such as Swift, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Beyoncé, Pink, and Madonna, as well as country singer Garth Brooks. The Rolling Stones set the all-time tour-revenue record three times (1990, 1995, and 2006); their Voodoo Lounge Tour held the record for 11 years (1995–2006), longer than any other record-holder. They are the only act to have the highest-grossing tour of the decade twice, in the 1990s and the 2000s. U2 has mounted the highest-grossing tour of the year at least eight times, more than any other act.

Highest-grossing tours

[edit]
Key
Indicates ongoing tour
* Indicates tour dates are split between two different calendar decades
Top 20 highest-grossing tours of all time
Rank Peak Actual gross Adjusted gross
(in 2023 dollars)
Artist Tour title Year(s) Shows Average
gross
Ref.
1 1 $1,930,000,000 $1,930,000,000 Taylor Swift The Eras Tour 2023–2024 121 $15,950,413 [A]
2 2 $1,059,060,322 $1,059,060,322 Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour 2022–2025 164 $6,457,685 [10]
3 1 $939,100,000 $939,100,000 Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road 2018–2023 330 $2,845,758 [12]
4 1 $776,200,000 $925,014,604 Ed Sheeran ÷ Tour 2017–2019 255 $3,043,922 [13]
5 1 $736,421,586 $997,437,284 U2 360° Tour 2009–2011 110 $6,694,742 [14]
6 4 $617,325,000 $617,325,000 Harry Styles Love On Tour 2021–2023 169 $3,652,811 [15]
7 7 $584,551,454 $584,551,454 Ed Sheeran +–=÷× Tour 2022–2025 103 $5,675,257 [16]
8 7 $584,200,000 $696,203,983 Guns N' Roses Not in This Lifetime... Tour 2016–2019 158 $3,697,468 [16]
9 7 $579,879,268 $579,879,268 Beyoncé Renaissance World Tour 2023 56 $10,353,571 [17]
10 1 $558,255,524 $820,315,772 The Rolling Stones A Bigger Bang Tour 2005–2007 144 $3,876,774 [18]
11 5 $546,500,000 $614,485,325 The Rolling Stones No Filter Tour 2017–2021 58 $9,422,414 [19]
12 3 $523,033,675 $650,135,260 Coldplay A Head Full of Dreams Tour 2016–2017 114 $4,588,015 [20]
13 13 $469,300,000 $469,300,000 Pink Summer Carnival 2023–2024 61 $7,693,443 [21]
14 3 $459,000,000 $600,372,000 Roger Waters The Wall Live 2010–2013 219 $2,094,401 [22]
15 3 $441,900,000 $617,432,687 AC/DC Black Ice World Tour 2008–2010 165 $2,678,182 [23]
16 8 $430,000,000 $512,440,453 Metallica WorldWired Tour 2016–2019 143 $3,006,993 [24]
17 2 $411,000,000 $583,700,326 Madonna Sticky & Sweet Tour 2008–2009 85 $4,835,294 [3]
18 10 $397,300,000 $473,471,144 Pink Beautiful Trauma World Tour 2018–2019 156 $2,546,795 [25]
19 12 $390,778,581 $485,741,065 U2 The Joshua Tree Tours 2017 & 2019 2017, 2019 66 $5,920,888 [26]
20 1 $389,000,000 $587,930,670 U2 Vertigo Tour 2005–2006 131 $2,969,466 [27]

Timeline of the highest-grossing tour

[edit]
Timeline of the highest-grossing tour record
Established Artist Tour title Record-setting gross Ref.
1984 The Jacksons Victory Tour $75,000,000 [28]
1985 Bruce Springsteen · E Street Band Born in the U.S.A. Tour $90,000,000 [29]
1989 Michael Jackson Bad World Tour $125,000,000 [30]
Pink Floyd A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour $135,000,000 [31]
1990 The Rolling Stones Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour $175,000,000 [32]
1994 Pink Floyd The Division Bell Tour $250,000,000 [33]
1995 The Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge Tour $320,000,000 [34]
2006 U2 Vertigo Tour $333,000,000 [35]
The Rolling Stones A Bigger Bang Tour $437,000,000 [36]
2007 $558,255,524 [18]
2011 U2 360° Tour $736,421,586 [14]
2019 Ed Sheeran ÷ Tour $776,200,000 [13]
2023 Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road $939,100,000 [12]
Taylor Swift The Eras Tour $1,039,263,762 [5]
2024 $1,930,000,000 [A]

Highest-grossing tours by decade

[edit]

1980s

[edit]
Top 10 highest-grossing tours of the 1980s
Rank Actual gross Adjusted gross
(in 2023 dollar)
Artist Tour title Year(s) Shows Average
gross
Ref.
1 $135,000,000 $331,828,188 Pink Floyd A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour 1987–1989 197 $685,279 [31]
2 $125,000,000 $307,248,322 Michael Jackson Bad World Tour 1987–1989 123 $1,016,260 [30]
3 $98,000,000 $240,882,685 The Rolling Stones Steel Wheels Tour 1989 * 60 $1,633,333 [37]
4 $90,000,000 $254,962,871 Bruce Springsteen · E Street Band Born in the U.S.A. Tour 1984–1985 156 $576,923 [29]
5 $86,000,000 $230,643,234 David Bowie Glass Spider Tour 1987 86 $1,000,000 [38]
6 $75,000,000 $219,955,157 The Jacksons Victory Tour 1984 55 $1,363,636 [28]
7 $60,000,000 $160,913,884 Genesis Invisible Touch Tour 1986–1987 111 $540,541 [39]
8 $60,000,000 $154,575,127 Tina Turner Break Every Rule World Tour 1987–1988 220 $272,727 [40]
9 $56,000,000 $150,186,292 U2 The Joshua Tree Tour 1987 109 $513,761 [41]
10 $50,000,000 $167,569,546 The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones American Tour 1981 1981 50 $1,000,000 [42]

1990s

[edit]
Top 10 highest-grossing tours of the 1990s
Rank Actual gross Adjusted gross
(in 2023 dollar)
Artist Tour title Year(s) Shows Average
gross
Ref.
1 $320,000,000 $639,860,231 The Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge Tour 1994–1995 129 $2,480,620 [34]
2 $274,000,000 $512,197,632 The Rolling Stones Bridges to Babylon Tour 1997–1998 108 $2,537,037 [43]
3 $250,000,000 $513,920,072 Pink Floyd The Division Bell Tour 1994 110 $2,272,727 [33]
4 $173,610,864 $325,844,705 U2 PopMart Tour 1997–1998 93 $1,866,783 [44]
5 $165,000,000 $313,171,642 Michael Jackson HIStory World Tour 1996–1997 83 $1,987,952 [45]
6 $152,900,000 $297,040,611 Eagles Hell Freezes Over Tour 1994–1996 122 $1,274,107 [B]
7 $151,000,000 $318,487,906 U2 Zoo TV Tour 1992–1993 157 $961,783 [48]
8 $133,000,000 $243,257,691 Celine Dion Let's Talk About Love World Tour 1998–1999 97 $1,371,134 [49]
9 $130,000,000 $246,741,294 Tina Turner Wildest Dreams Tour 1996–1997 255 $509,804 [50]
10 $105,000,000 $196,280,114 Garth Brooks The Garth Brooks World Tour 1996–1998 220 $477,273 [51]

2000s

[edit]
Top 10 highest-grossing tours of the 2000s
Rank Actual gross Adjusted gross
(in 2023 dollar)
Artist Tour title Year(s) Shows Average
gross
Ref.
1 $558,255,524 $820,315,772 The Rolling Stones A Bigger Bang Tour 2005–2007 144 $3,876,774 [18]
2 $411,000,000 $583,700,326 Madonna Sticky & Sweet Tour 2008–2009 85 $4,835,294 [3]
3 $389,000,000 $587,930,670 U2 Vertigo Tour 2005–2006 131 $2,969,466 [27]
4 $358,825,665 $507,791,003 The Police The Police Reunion Tour 2007–2008 146 $2,457,710 [52]
5 $311,637,730 $442,586,483 U2 360° Tour 2009 * 44 $7,082,676 [C]
6 $311,000,000 $515,107,815 The Rolling Stones Licks Tour 2002–2003 117 $2,658,120 [43]
7 $279,200,000 $394,814,332 Celine Dion Taking Chances World Tour 2008–2009 129 $2,164,341 [D]
8 $264,100,000 $375,073,616 AC/DC Black Ice World Tour 2008–2009 * 127 $2,079,528 [E]
9 $250,000,000 $390,015,335 Cher Living Proof: The Farewell Tour 2002–2005 325 $769,231 [F]
10 $235,000,000 $332,559,505 Bruce Springsteen · E Street Band Magic Tour 2007–2008 104 $2,259,615 [61]

2010s

[edit]
Top 10 highest-grossing tours of the 2010s
Rank Actual gross Adjusted gross
(in 2023 dollar)
Artist Tour title Year(s) Shows Average
gross
Ref.
1 $776,200,000 $925,014,604 Ed Sheeran ÷ Tour 2017–2019 255 $3,043,922 [13]
2 $584,200,000 $696,203,983 Guns N' Roses Not in This Lifetime... Tour 2016–2019 158 $3,697,468 [16]
3 $523,033,675 $650,135,260 Coldplay A Head Full of Dreams Tour 2016–2017 114 $4,588,015 [20]
4 $459,000,000 $600,372,000 Roger Waters The Wall Live 2010–2013 219 $2,094,401 [22]
5 $430,000,000 $512,440,453 Metallica WorldWired Tour 2016–2019 143 $3,006,993 [24]
6 $424,783,856 $575,343,341 U2 360° Tour 2010–2011 * 66 $6,436,119 [C]
7 $415,600,000 $495,279,656 The Rolling Stones No Filter Tour 2017–2019 * 44 $9,445,455 [62]
8 $397,300,000 $473,471,144 Pink Beautiful Trauma World Tour 2018–2019 156 $2,546,795 [25]
9 $390,778,581 $485,741,065 U2 The Joshua Tree Tours 2017 & 2019 2017, 2019 66 $5,920,888 [26]
10 $367,700,000 $446,151,763 Bruno Mars 24K Magic World Tour 2017–2018 196 $1,876,020 [G]

2020s

[edit]
Top 10 highest-grossing tours of the 2020s (as of November 2024)
Rank Actual gross Adjusted gross
(in 2023 dollar)
Artist Tour title Year(s) Shows Average
gross
Ref.
1 $1,930,000,000 $1,930,000,000 Taylor Swift The Eras Tour 2023–2024 121 $15,950,413 [A]
2 $1,059,060,322 $1,059,060,322 Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour 2022–2025 164 $6,457,685 [H]
3 $617,325,000 $617,325,000 Harry Styles Love On Tour 2021–2023 169 $3,652,663 [15]
4 $584,551,454 $584,551,454 Ed Sheeran +–=÷× Tour 2022–2025 103 $5,675,257 [65]
5 $579,800,000 $579,800,000 Beyoncé Renaissance World Tour 2023 56 $10,353,571 [66]
6 $471,400,000 $471,400,000 Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road 2020–2023 * 136 $3,466,176 [I]
7 $469,300,000 $469,300,000 Pink Summer Carnival 2023–2024 61 $7,693,443 [70]
8 $379,496,085 $379,496,085 Bruce Springsteen · E Street Band 2023 Tour 2023 66 $5,749,941 [5]
9 $350,985,529 $350,985,529 The Weeknd After Hours til Dawn Tour 2022–2023 61 $5,753,861 [71]
10 $320,513,439 $320,513,439 Drake It's All A Blur Tour 2023-2024 80 $4,006,418 [72]

Highest-grossing tours by year

[edit]

This list represents the top-grossing tour of each year according to either Pollstar or Billboard Boxscore (formerly Amusement Business). The two publications may differ on their annual figures due to different total of dates reported or different year-end tracking period. For example, Pollstar listed Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour as the top tour of 2008 with $281.6 million, but Billboard ranked it third on their year-end chart whose tracking period ended on November 11, 2008, thus excluding 20 shows by Madonna.[73][74] In 2019, Billboard listed Ed Sheeran's ÷ Tour as the top tour of the year ($223.7 million), instead of Pink's Beautiful Trauma World Tour ($215.2 million) as reported by Pollstar. However, Billboard's figure included Sheeran's gross from November 2018 shows; therefore, Pollstar's figure is closer to accurate for the 2019 calendar year.[75][76]

Annual highest-grossing tours
Year Actual gross Adjusted gross
(in 2023 dollars)
Artist Tour title Shows Scope Ref.
1987 $35,100,000 $94,134,622 U2 The Joshua Tree Tour 79 North America [77]
1989 $98,000,000 $240,882,685 The Rolling Stones Steel Wheels Tour 60 North America [37]
1990 $74,100,000 $172,811,921 New Kids on the Block The Magic Summer Tour 152 Unknown [78]
1991 $34,700,000 $77,623,552 Grateful Dead Grateful Dead Summer Tour 76 North America [79]
1992 $67,000,000 $145,471,188 U2 Zoo TV Tour 73 North America [80]
1993 $45,600,000 $96,179,129 Grateful Dead Grateful Dead Tour 1993 81 North America [81]
1994 $121,200,000 $249,148,451 The Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge Tour 60 North America [82]
1995 $63,300,000 $126,572,352 Eagles Hell Freezes Over Tour 58 Unknown [46]
1996 $43,600,000 $84,702,228 Kiss Alive/Worldwide Tour 92 Unknown [83]
1997 $138,500,000 $262,874,378 U2 PopMart Tour 78 Global [84]
1998 $193,350,000 $361,435,811 The Rolling Stones Bridges to Babylon Tour 82 Global [85]
1999 $89,200,000 $163,147,263 No Security Tour 45 Global [86]
2000 $122,500,000 $216,736,232 Tina Turner Twenty Four Seven Tour 108 Global [87]
2001 $143,000,000 $246,064,274 U2 Elevation Tour 113 Global [88]
2002 $126,100,000 $213,611,767 Paul McCartney Driving World Tour 58 Global [89]
2003 $299,520,230 $496,093,927 The Rolling Stones Licks Tour 115 Global [90]
2004 $125,000,000 $201,638,478 Madonna Re-Invention World Tour 56 Global [91]
2005 $260,000,000 $405,615,948 U2 Vertigo Tour 90 Global [92]
2006 $425,100,000 $642,491,845 The Rolling Stones A Bigger Bang Tour 110 Global [93]
2007 $212,227,302 $311,852,540 The Police The Police Reunion Tour 66 Global [94]
2008 $281,600,000 $398,505,348 Madonna Sticky & Sweet Tour 58 Global [56]
2009 $311,637,730 $442,586,483 U2 360° Tour 44 Global [53]
2010 $201,100,000 $280,981,474 Bon Jovi The Circle Tour 80 Global [95]
2011 $293,281,487 $397,231,553 U2 360° Tour 44 Global [55]
2012 $305,158,363 $404,990,574 Madonna The MDNA Tour 88 Global [43]
2013 $259,500,000 $339,426,000 Bon Jovi Because We Can 102 Global [96]
2014 $290,000,000 $373,241,496 One Direction Where We Are Tour 69 Global [97]
2015 $250,733,097 $322,295,695 Taylor Swift The 1989 World Tour 85 Global [98]
2016 $268,300,000 $340,620,466 Bruce Springsteen · E Street Band The River Tour 76 Global [99]
2017 $316,990,940 $394,022,407 U2 The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 50 Global [100]
2018 $432,400,000 $524,656,030 Ed Sheeran ÷ Tour 94 Global [64]
2019 $215,200,000 $256,458,571 Pink Beautiful Trauma World Tour 68 Global [76]
2020 $87,100,000 $87,100,000 Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road 38 Global [67]
2021 $115,500,000 $129,868,353 The Rolling Stones No Filter Tour 12 Global [101]
2022 $342,192,313 $356,278,465 Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour 64 Global [102]
2023 $1,039,263,762 $1,039,263,762 Taylor Swift The Eras Tour 60 Global [5]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Forbes estimated the gross revenue of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour at $780 million from 56 shows in 2023,[7] and $1.15 billion from 65 shows in 2024.[8]
  2. ^ Eagles' Hell Freezes Over Tour grossed $79.4 million in 1994, $63.3 million in 1995, and $10.2 million in 1996.[46][47]
  3. ^ a b U2's 360° Tour grossed $311,637,730 in the 2000s decade (2009)[53] and $424,783,856 in the 2010s (2010 and 2011).[54][55]
  4. ^ Celine Dion's Taking Chances World Tour grossed $236.6 million in 2008 and $42.6 million in 2009.[56][57]
  5. ^ Within the 2000s decade, AC/DC's Black Ice World Tour grossed $37.5 million in 2008 and $226.6 million in 2009.[58][57]
  6. ^ Cher's Living Proof: The Farewell Tour grossed $194,683,927 from 280 reported shows according to Billboard, bringing an average gross of $695,000 per show.[59] Total gross for the tour's 325 dates is estimated between $200 million and $250 million.[60]
  7. ^ Bruno Mars' 24K Magic World Tour grossed $200.1 million in 2017 and 167.6 million in 2018.[63][64]
  8. ^ In August 2024, Billboard stated that the $1 billion gross threshold surpassed by Coldplay was "unprecedented in Boxscore's almost 40-year history".[9][10] Further estimates for Swift in Pollstar and Forbes were only published afterwards.[7][8]
  9. ^ Within the 2020s decade, Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road grossed $87.1 million in 2020,[67] $274 million in 2022,[68] and $110.3 million in 2023.[69]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Box Office Information". Billboard. October 3, 1981. Retrieved August 25, 2023 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Waddell, Ray D.; Barnet, Rich; Berry, Jake (2007). This Business of Concert Promotion and Touring. Billboard Books. p. 56. ISBN 978-0-307-87500-6. Retrieved August 25, 2023 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b c Allen, Bob (March 27, 2020). "Ladies Might: Box Office Triumph By Top Female Earners". Pollstar. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  4. ^ Bloomberg (September 12, 2019). "Why concert tickets cost four times as much as 20 years ago, and why we're happy to pay for them". South China Morning Post. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d Gensler, Andy (December 8, 2023). "Taylor Swift Sets All-Time Touring Record With $1 Billion Gross". Pollstar. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  6. ^ Atwal, Sanj (December 12, 2023). "Taylor Swift's Eras Tour breaks record as highest-grossing music tour ever". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Dellatto, Marisa (October 15, 2023). "The Top-Earning Summer Concert Tours Of 2023". Forbes. Retrieved Oct 15, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Voytko-Best, Lisette. "The Top-Earning Summer Concert Tours Of 2024". Forbes. Forbes. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Coldplay Tops July Boxscore Report As Tour Surpasses $1 Billion in Grosses". Billboard. 29 August 2024. Archived from the original on 18 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "Zach Bryan Returns to Monthly Boxscore Summit with $93 Million in August". Billboard. 26 September 2024. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  11. ^ Shah, Neil (October 3, 2018). "Hip-Hop Is Huge, but on the Concert Circuit, Rock Is King". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Frankenberg, Eric (July 13, 2023). "Elton John's Farewell Tour Comes to an End With $939 Million and 6 Million Tickets". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c Frankenberg, Eric (August 27, 2019). "Ed Sheeran's Record-Breaking Divide Tour Posts Final Numbers: 255 Shows, $776.2 Million Grossed". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  14. ^ a b Waddell, Ray (December 8, 2011). "The Year In Touring". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Frankenberg, Eric (August 7, 2023). "Harry Styles' Love On Tour Ends As the Fourth $600 Million Trek Ever". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  16. ^ a b c Frankenberg, Eric (November 22, 2019). "Guns N' Roses Wrap 'Not in This Lifetime… Tour': $584 Million; 5.4 Million Tickets". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  17. ^ Frankenberg, Eric (2023-10-13). "Billboard Boxscore Top 10 Tours of All Time: Beyoncé Breaks Ground". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  18. ^ a b c Pietrolungo, Silvio (April 9, 2007). "Rolling Stones Tour Grosses More Than Half A Billion". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
  19. ^ Frankenberg, Eric (December 8, 2021). "The Rolling Stones' Billboard Boxscore Touring Gross Surpasses $2.5 Billion". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  20. ^ a b Warman, Zane (November 17, 2017). "Coldplay's 'Head Full Of Dreams' Is Third Highest Grossing World Tour Ever". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  21. ^ "Coldplay Rules January Boxscore Report with Nearly $59 Million". Billboard. February 29, 2024. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  22. ^ a b Allen, Bob (October 4, 2013). "Roger Waters Passes Madonna for Solo Boxscore Record with $459M Wall Live Tour". Billboard. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  23. ^ Rendon, Francisco (July 31, 2019). "Ed Sheeran Concludes 'Divide' Tour, Sets All-Time Touring Record At $775.6m". Pollstar. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  24. ^ a b Murray, Brett (September 17, 2019). "Tour & Destroy: The Case For Metallica As The World's Biggest Touring Act". Pollstar. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  25. ^ a b Frankenberg, Eric (August 20, 2019). "P!nk Enters the Record Books With Final Figures For The Beautiful Trauma World Tour". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  26. ^ a b Frankenberg, Eric (January 17, 2020). "U2 Earn $73 Million From Just 15 'Joshua Tree' Anniversary Shows in 2019". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  27. ^ a b O'Brien, Fergal; Tomlinson, Richard (February 4, 2007). "Bono's pitch to help poor still leaves him time to build business empire". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
  28. ^ a b Skorneck, Carolyn (December 10, 1984). "Controversial Jacksons tour closes as top-grossing rock caravan". The Gainesville Sun. Associated Press. p. 9A. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  29. ^ a b Castro, Janice (January 26, 2007). "The Boss's Thunder Road to Riches". Time. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  30. ^ a b Grein, Paul (January 27, 1989). "A New Stage for Michael Jackson". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  31. ^ a b Gilmore, Mikal (2008). Stories Done: Writings on the 1960s and Its Discontents. Simon & Schuster. p. 330. ISBN 978-1-4165-9453-6. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  32. ^ MusicWeek Staff (August 24, 2021). "Remembering legendary Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts". Music Week. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  33. ^ a b "The Illustrated History of the Band's Last Days and Bittersweet Reunions". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  34. ^ a b "Update: Stones Roll By U2 For Top Grossing Tour Ever". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  35. ^ Billboard Staff (July 21, 2006). "U2 Roars Back With Help From Pearl Jam, Kanye". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  36. ^ Boucher, Geoff (December 15, 2006). "Stones tour is highest grossing". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  37. ^ a b Harrington, Richard (January 10, 1990). "On the Beat". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  38. ^ Huddleston, Tom Jr. (January 11, 2016). "The Numbers Behind David Bowie's Remarkable Career". Fortune. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  39. ^ Moleski, Linda (July 4, 1987). "Tina Turner Breaks Out; M. Jackson Heads East" (PDF). Billboard. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 28, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  40. ^ "Highest attendance at a ticketed concert by a female artist". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  41. ^ Quinn, Karl (November 15, 2019). "The making of the Joshua Tree: Behind the scenes of U2's spectacular live tour". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  42. ^ Loder, Kurt; Pond, Steve (January 21, 1982). "Stones Tour Pays Off". Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  43. ^ a b c Waddell, Ray (January 24, 2013). "Madonna's 'MDNA' Tour Makes Billboard Boxscore's All-Time Top 10". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  44. ^ Waddell, Ray (14 March 2009). "Kissing the Future" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 10. p. 19. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  45. ^ Murphy, Keith (August 29, 2012). "Redemption Songs: Michael Jackson's Greatest Hits". Vibe. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  46. ^ a b Harrington, Richard (January 10, 1996). "Eagles Take It to the Limit in '95". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  47. ^ "Pollstar lists top concerts for 1996". United Press International. December 27, 1996. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  48. ^ Smith, Nathan (12 September 2014). "Five More Epic '80s Tours That Deserve The Wall Treatment". Houston Press. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  49. ^ Olya, Gabrielle (July 21, 2020). "28 of the Highest-Grossing Concert Tours of All Time". Yahoo! Finance. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  50. ^ BET Staff (May 25, 2023). "Tina Turner's Timeless Tunes: A Countdown Of Her 10 Best Songs". BET. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  51. ^ Waddell, Ray (8 October 2007). "Brooks Set For Nine-Show Kansas City Run". Billboard. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  52. ^ Waddell, Ray (August 23, 2008). "Reggatta De Banc; Blockbuster Police Tour 'Played Out Perfectly'". Billboard. p. 16. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
  53. ^ a b "Top 25 Tours of 2009". Billboard. December 11, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  54. ^ "Top 25 Tours of 2010". Billboard. December 8, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  55. ^ a b "Top 25 Tours of 2011". Billboard. December 9, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  56. ^ a b Goodman, Dean (December 31, 2008). "Madonna, Celine Dion top worldwide tours in 2008". Reuters. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  57. ^ a b "2009 Year End Top 50 Worldwide Concert Tours" (PDF). Pollstar. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 15, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  58. ^ "2008 Year End Top 100 North American Tours" (PDF). Pollstar. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  59. ^ Billboard Staff (May 13, 2005). "Billboard Bits: Sting/Fiction Plane, Cher, 'Hey Ya!'". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  60. ^ Olson, Nate (March 25, 2014). "Back at it: Cher at Verizon Arena". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  61. ^ Zuel, Bernard (March 8, 2013). "Still the boss". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  62. ^ Frankenberg, Eric (September 12, 2019). "The Rolling Stones Wrap 3-Leg, 3-Year No Filter Tour With $415.6 Million". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  63. ^ "2017 Year End Top 20 Worldwide Tours" (PDF). Pollstar. January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  64. ^ a b "2018 Top 100 Worldwide Tours" (PDF). Pollstar. December 17, 2018.
  65. ^ "Coldplay Rules January Boxscore Report with Nearly $59 Million". Billboard. February 29, 2024. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  66. ^ Frankenberg, Eric (October 13, 2023). "Here's How Beyoncé's $580M Renaissance World Tour Stacks Up in the Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  67. ^ a b "2020 Year-End Special" (PDF). Pollstar. December 14, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  68. ^ Gensler, Andy (December 12, 2022). "2022 Year-End Biz Analysis: Record-Setting Year Marked By Bad Bunny, Ed Sheeran & Stadiums". Pollstar. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  69. ^ Gottfried, Gideon (June 26, 2023). "Mid-Year Top Tours: No. 4 Elton John's 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Tour'". Pollstar. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  70. ^ "Coldplay Rules January Boxscore Report with Nearly $59 Million". Billboard. February 29, 2024. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  71. ^ "Top 10 Tours Alone Gross $3.8B in Banner Year". Pollstar. 11 December 2023. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  72. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (2024-09-30). "Drake's 'It's All A Blur' tour confirmed as highest-grossing hip-hop tour in history". NME. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  73. ^ "Madonna queen of the road: Pollstar". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. January 2, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  74. ^ Billboard Staff (2008). "Top 25 Tours 2008". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  75. ^ Frankenberg, Eric (December 5, 2019). "The Year in Touring Charts 2019: Ed Sheeran Meets The Rolling Stones in Boxscore History". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  76. ^ a b "2019 Top 100 Worldwide Tours" (PDF). Pollstar. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  77. ^ Hilburn, Robert (January 23, 1988). "U2's $35-Million Gross Is Highest for '87 Tour". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  78. ^ Harrington, Richard (January 2, 1991). "The New Kids' Top '90 Tour". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  79. ^ Hochman, Steve (December 26, 1991). "Concert Business Was Really Dead in '91, Pollstar Says". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  80. ^ "U2 Tops List of Top 10 Concert Tours of 1992". Orlando Sentinel. January 15, 1993. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  81. ^ Sandler, Adam (January 4, 1994). "Promoters stoked for Streisand". Variety. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  82. ^ Harrington, Richard (January 4, 1995). "The Road Warriors". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  83. ^ Sandler, Adam (December 26, 1996). "Year's top-grossing tour sealed with Kiss". Variety. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  84. ^ "Rolling Stones, U2 Top 1997 Tours". Rolling Stone. December 23, 1997. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  85. ^ "Tour Toppers '98". CMT News. August 12, 2003. Archived from the original on September 29, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  86. ^ Kaufman, Gil (December 9, 1999). "Springsteen, Stones Top Grossing Tours in '99". MTV News. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  87. ^ Waddell, Ray (September 14, 2002). "Touring Biz Laments As Stars Stay Home". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  88. ^ "Veteran Acts, Boy Bands Dominate Touring In 2001". Billboard. December 20, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  89. ^ "McCartney Notches Year's Highest-Grossing Tour". Billboard. December 19, 2002. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  90. ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 2003-12-27.
  91. ^ Susman, Gary (December 14, 2004). "Mother of 'Re-Invention'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 9, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2009.
  92. ^ Ryan, Amy (December 13, 2005). "The top 10 tours of 2005". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  93. ^ "Top Rock/Pop Tours of '06". Billboard. December 23, 2006. p. YE-6. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  94. ^ "Top 25 Tours" (PDF). Billboard. December 22, 2007. p. 138. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  95. ^ "2010 Pollstar Year End" (PDF). Pollstar. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 24, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  96. ^ "2013 Year End Top 100 Worldwide Tours" (PDF). Pollstar. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 24, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  97. ^ Caulfield, Keith (December 9, 2014). "The Year in Pop 2014: One Direction, 'Frozen,' & Pharrell Dominate". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  98. ^ Waddell, Ray (December 11, 2015). "Live Music's $20 Billion Year: The Grateful Dead's Fare Thee Well Reunion, Taylor Swift, One Direction Top Boxscore's Year-End". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  99. ^ "2016 Year End Top 100 Worldwide Tours" (PDF). Pollstar. January 6, 2017.
  100. ^ "Top 25 Tours" (PDF). Billboard. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  101. ^ "2021 Year-End Special" (PDF). Pollstar. January 27, 2022.
  102. ^ "Coldplay Add Six New Asian Dates for 2024". Pollstar. 12 June 2023. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.