Billboard published its list of the Top 25 touring artists of the decade today, documenting those artists and bands who have seen several million faces, rocked them all, and charged handsomely to do it in the years since 2000. The Rolling Stones (watch “Sympathy for the Devil,” above) and U2 come in at Nos. 1 and 2 with both bands making over $800 million in live revenue during the past 10 years. Madonna also made upwards of $800 mil; bringing up the rear at No. 25 is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, who took in a paltry $200 million, still enough to confuse those of us who thought they just made Christmas music. (Top 10 located after the jump, and you can check out the full roster at Billboard.com.)
What strikes me about these 25 acts is not how much money they made, but how many of them could have just as easily topped the touring charts of the ’90s — and for that matter, the ’80s, too. The Police, the Eagles, Aerosmith, Neil Diamond, Cher, McCartney, Rod Stewart, Metallica… this thing reads like a list of “Bands Most Likely To Inspire A Tribute Night At Your Local Sports Bar.” Britney Spears (No. 21, $216,229,560) is the youngest act on the chart by a long shot, unless you count Max Weinberg’s son sitting in with Springsteen (No. 4). Celine Dion (No. 6) played the most shows — 792 — but then again, she just had to sit in Vegas and let the nice people come to her for most of those. Second in the shows-played category is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (again: confused), followed by the tireless Kenny Chesney (No. 8 ) at 622. And if you do the math on Chesney’s shows-played-to-total-gross vs. that of the Rolling Stones, you will learn an interesting lesson about ticket prices.
Got thoughts on this list, Mixers? Any of it surprise you? Given the endurance levels of Mick Jagger and Bono (if perhaps not Steven Tyler), will these same moldy oldies still be ruling the touring charts at the end of the ’10s? If not, who might step up? And Billboard’s got a nice added feature where they list the “Set Essential” for each tour — if you saw any of these folks on the road this decade, what was your highlight?
1. The Rolling Stones
Total Gross: $869,471,325
Number of Shows: 264
Total Attendance: 8,236,586
Number of Sell-Outs: 190
2. U2
Total Gross: $844,157,925
Number of Shows: 288
Total Attendance: 9,869,953
Number of Sell-Outs: 288
3. Madonna
Total Gross: $801,299,671
Number of Shows: 248
Total Attendance: 6,387,124
Number of Sell-Outs: 244
4. Bruce Springsteen
Total Gross: $688,136,476
Number of Shows: 403
Total Attendance: 8,605,238
Number of Sell-Outs: 248
5. Elton John
Total Gross: $603,804,670
Number of Shows: 541
Total Attendance: 5,789,833
Number of Sell-Outs: 470
6. Celine Dion
Total Gross: $536,593,262
Number of Shows: 792
Total Attendance: 4,099,963
Number of Sell-Outs: 597
7. Dave Matthews Band
Total Gross: $505,447,901
Number of Shows: 547
Total Attendance: 11,230,696
Number of Sell-Outs: 282
8. Kenny Chesney
Total Gross: $477,931,760
Number of Shows: 622
Total Attendance: 9,210,288
Number of Sell-Outs: 409
9. Bon Jovi
Total Gross: $419,481,741
Number of Shows: 249
Total Attendance: 5,384,747
Number of Sell-Outs: 224
10. Billy Joel
Total Gross: $418,421<266
Number of Shows: 241
Total Attendance: 4,141,287
Number of Sell-Outs: 213
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
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Trans-Siberian Orchestra tours every single year and has two tours going on at the same time. For example, if you look at their schedule, they will be playing in Houston and NYC the same night since they have two different groups touring. So when you take all that into consideration, you can see how they could come in #2 on the Number of Shows Played category.
On Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), it makes sense that they play about 62 shows a year all in November and December (times 10 years.) I know they will play two concerts a day in big cities and I believe they have more than one giant stage so they can be setting up in the next city at the same time. Kinda like an arena barnstorming tour. And while I have never seen them, several co-workers have mentioned that it is a non-stop and exciting show and go to see them each year.
considering the amount of attendance, Madonna’s numbers are remarkable.
Why? Its mostly Euro-trash and those who like wrinkly wannabe bad girls.
i think paige was speaking in terms of numbers – LOSER! has nothing to do with your opinion on Madonna – the NUMBERS are remarkable – read before you reply
the only reason green day isnt on there is beacuse they dont charge a lot for tickets.
Dave Matthews Band are the consumate tourers (behind only Kenny Chesney it seems). I have been to about 15 shows and never ever disappointed. A truly remarkable band. Seeing them each year is the best 3 hours of my YEAR!
Springsteen charges far less for tickets than U2 does. U2, with fees, runs about $200 a ticket while a Bruce show runs $115. That’s a significant difference.
My family is paying about 50 per ticket for U2 for their tour next year.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra tours with two bands the West Coast and East Coast groups. Most days on this current tour have two concerts per day at 3PM and 8PM. I have been going for 4 years in a row now and will continue to see them everytime they come to town. They are by far the best concert experience ever and they dont have Rolling Stones disease, which is charging hundreds of dollars per ticket. They keep tickets at family friendly prices year after year.
It is interesting to look at the top 25 list and note the attendance number. When listed by that criteria, Trans-Siberian Orcherstra moves up to number 11 (if my count is correct). If $200 million seems paltry, one should also keep in mind that a lot of people still think they are a group of Russian violinists, if they even know the name at all.
Why is this list different from Pollstar’s Top Artist of the Decade, with Dave Mathews Band at #1, Celine Dion at #2 and Kenny Chesney at #3!! Who’s correct?
Because they are only looking at North America so that they can be very prejudice against older rock bands who actually out sold Dave Matthews(no slight against Dave Matthews, like the band). So really that pollstars list was compiled by a bunch of ignorant kids who have no idea that 98% of whats called new music is just a rip off from the 60′s, 70′s & 80′s!
Pollstar tracks only North American shows, whereas Billboard’s are worldwide. And, there’s a difference in the cutoff dates for both, so you see an act like Dave Matthews Band with a higher Pollstar total than Billboard (just one example).
Madonna is the most important, premier female artist of the last 25+ years, and her stage shows are incomparable to other pop acts. So no surprise to see that people will pay a heckuva lot to see her live.
Wait, what about Beyonce’s Sasha Fierce Tour? The girl has been touring forever? I thought she’d be #1???
Oh wait, this is for the decade. never mind!! lol
Dave Matthews had the most people attend through this time with over 11 million attendees. One of the best live shows out there.
So few of these deserve it.
U2? They were great in the 80′s, but they’re way past their prime.
Madonna? Her 80′s stuff is legendary, now she’s a sludgebag.
Elton John? He was great in the 60′s and 70′s, but when was the last time he made a good song?
Celine Dion? Her songs are just terrible, and her voice is really annoying.
DMB? What’s the deal with these guys? They suck!
Billy Joel? His 70′s stuff is Amazing, but he’s another one who’s way past his prime.
The Eagles? They were never good, their only good song is ”One Of These Nights”, ”Hotel California” is terrible and so is ”Desperado”.
Aerosmith? As with U2, they were great in the 80′s, but they’re past their prime.
Paul McCartney? He was great in the 70′s and The Beatles, but he could do so much better than he does.
Rod Stewart? He has some classics, but he’s just a cheesy pop/soft rock singer now.
Metallica? Once again, they were great in the 80′s, but their newer stuff is terrible.
Britney? Oh my god, it’s getting worse and worse, she is probably the worst traditional pop singer ever.
Jimmy Buffett? Make it stop make it stop make it stop!
Toby Keith? WTF?
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