In the midst of a world still reeling from the effects of the global pandemic, the entertainment industry has been experiencing a renaissance. The silver screen is once again lighting up with blockbusters. And guess what! The music world is seeing a resurgence in live concert tours. The summer of 2023 was a blockbuster season, with a lineup that includes highly-anticipated releases.
It included “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” “Oppenheimer,” “Barbie,” “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One,” and “Dune Part 2.” Despite indications of a potential worldwide economic deceleration, the live performance sector within the entertainment industry is demonstrating impressive durability and is well-positioned to achieve historic box office records.
The Resurgence of Live Concert Tours
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, the live music scene is experiencing a remarkable resurgence. The 2023 concert calendar is filled with highly-anticipated tours, and fans have been flocking to stadiums and arenas around the world to catch their favorite artists in action.
From Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” to Bruce Springsteen’s return to live concerts, from Harry Styles’ “Love on Tour” to Elton John’s farewell shows, and Ed Sheeran’s “Mathematics Tour,” the live music industry is thriving.
According to Pollstar, an industry-leading live entertainment analysis firm, the average gross per show for the top 100 live performances worldwide crossed the impressive $1 million threshold in the first two quarters of 2023. This marks a significant recovery from the pandemic’s impact on the industry.
Furthermore, live events in 2023 have averaged an astonishing 12,655 sold seats per show, representing a staggering 49.3 percent increase compared to the previous year’s average of 8,475. Even when compared to 2019’s figures, there has been a substantial 27.8 percent hike, with an average of 9,901 tickets sold per show.
In total, the first half of 2023 saw the top 100 highest-grossing tours amass a staggering $2.83 billion at the box office, and this figure doesn’t even include the numbers generated by Beyoncé’s “Renaissance Tour” since complete sales figures are yet to be reported.
The Diverse Range of Genres
One of the striking trends in the live music industry in 2023 is the diversity of genres that are drawing massive crowds. Gone are the days when only rock legends like U2 and The Rolling Stones could sell out stadiums. Today, artists from various genres are proving their ability to attract concert audiences, making them seemingly recession- and turmoil-proof.
From the pop sensations like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran to the R&B and house music of Beyoncé, from Daddy Yankee’s hip-hop to Bad Bunny’s Latin rap, every artist and genre is finding its audience. People are willing to pay to witness these big names perform live, and this phenomenon highlights the industry’s resilience and adaptability.
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Top 10 Highest-Grossing Concert Tours of 2023
Let’s delve into the top 10 highest-grossing concert tours of the first half of 2023, according to Pollstar:
1) Taylor Swift—Eras Tour
Taylor Swift‘s “Eras Tour” is a spectacular tribute to her four studio albums released since her last stadium tour in 2018. With hits from “Lover” (2019), “Folklore” (2020), “Evermore” (2020), and “Midnights” (2022), Swift’s tour has been a resounding success, grossing a staggering $300,804,808. The average ticket price was $253.56, with an average of 53,923 tickets sold per show, totaling 1,186,314 tickets.
2) Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band—2023 Tour
Bruce Springsteen’s return to the live stage with “2023 Tour” witnessed a great enthusiasm by fans. The tour grossed $142,605,835, with an average ticket price of $211.80. Each show saw an average of 18,702 tickets sold, totaling 673,277 tickets.
3) Harry Styles—Love On Tour
British singer Harry Styles embarked on his “Love On Tour,” supporting his albums “Fine Line” and “Harry’s House.” The tour grossed $124,000,392, with an average ticket price of $115.07. An impressive 31,694 tickets were sold per show, totaling 1,077,622 tickets.
4) Elton John—Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Tour
Elton John’s farewell tour, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Tour,” touched the hearts of fans worldwide. It grossed $110,328,403, with an average ticket price of $163.95. On average, 20,392 tickets were sold per show, totaling 672,950 tickets.
5) Ed Sheeran—+–=÷× Tour
Ed Sheeran, known for his remarkable songwriting, took his “Mathematics Tour” around the globe. The tour grossed $105,309,873, with an average ticket price of $104.20. Each show sold an average of 40,424 tickets, totaling 1,010,616 tickets.
6) Red Hot Chili Peppers—2023 Global Stadium Tour
The American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers embarked on their “2023 Global Stadium Tour”. It featured tracks from their recent albums. The tour grossed $91,488,134, with an average ticket price of $123.87. Each show saw an average of 38,873 tickets sold, totaling 738,601 tickets.
7) Coldplay—Music Of The Spheres Tour
Coldplay returned to the world stage with their “Music Of The Spheres Tour.” The tour grossed $65,436,386, with an average ticket price of $88.86. An impressive 66,949 tickets were sold per show, totaling 736,439 tickets.
8) Daddy Yankee—La Última Vuelta World Tour
Puerto Rican rapper and singer Daddy Yankee took his “La Última Vuelta World Tour” on the road in support of his latest album, “Legendaddy.” The tour grossed $60,461,483, with an average ticket price of $96.62. Each show saw an average of 27,206 tickets sold, totaling 625,748 tickets.
9) Kevin Hart—The Reality Check Tour
Renowned comedian Kevin Hart brought his “Reality Check Tour” to audiences. He touched upon personal experiences and hot takes on current events. The tour grossed $50,041,814, with an average ticket price of $107.00. On average, 8,503 tickets were sold per show, totaling 467,686 tickets.
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10) Bad Bunny—World’s Hottest Tour
Latin rap sensation Bad Bunny embarked on his “World’s Hottest Tour,” featuring tracks from his fourth studio album, “Un Verano Sin Ti.” The tour grossed $49,112,859, with an average ticket price of $102.81. Each show sold an average of 39,807 tickets, totaling 477,688 tickets.
The live concert industry in 2023 has been nothing short of spectacular. Despite the lingering challenges posed by the pandemic, artists from diverse genres have filled stadiums and arenas. They broke records and captivated audiences worldwide. The top 10 highest-grossing concert tours of the first half of 2023 showcase the resilience and adaptability of the live entertainment scene. It proved that music and live performances continue to be a source of joy for people around the world. As the year unfolds, it’s clear that the live concert industry is back and stronger than ever, ready to provide unforgettable experiences for music enthusiasts everywhere.