Every fan’s favorite season is when their favorite artist goes on tour and they get to reconcile with their idol, watch them perform on stage, and hear them live. The divide between a performer and audience fades, and they get to experience the magic of watching their favorite star live.
Over time, many artists have had record-breaking tours, earning millions out of hundreds of hours of performing and interacting with their fans. Among all others, here are the top ten highest-grossing tours of all time.
10. Roger Waters: The Wall Live Tour
The ‘The Wall Live‘ tour by Roger Waters was a momentous and immersive concert experience that enthralled people all over the world. The tour, which began in 2010, was inspired by Pink Floyd’s legendary album ‘The Wall‘, which was published in 1979. The tour’s goal was to bring this iconic concept album to life on a large scale, both musically and aesthetically. The inclusion of the legendary ‘Another Brick in the Wall‘ segment, in which a children’s choir would join Waters on stage, symbolizing the loss of innocence and the dehumanizing effects of society’s conventions, was one of the tour’s most moving moments. The tour made more than $400 million, and more than 4 million fans were a part of it.
9. Coldplay: A Head Full Of Dreams
The ‘A Head Full of Dreams Tour‘ by Coldplay was a stunning global concert tour that ran from 2016 to 2017 in support of their seventh studio album, ‘A Head Full of Dreams‘. Coldplay, known for its riveting live performances, created an immersive experience that featured spectacular graphics, explosive music, and a feeling of oneness that resonated with fans worldwide. The stage was transformed into a dynamic canvas, with vibrant animations and engaging graphics that increased the audience’s connection to the music.
The tour’s emphasis on conveying optimism, harmony, and a sense of global connection made it distinct. Coldplay used their platform to advocate for social and environmental problems, inspiring fans to come together and make a difference in the world. The tour made more than 500 million dollars and remains the band’s second-most successful tour, with over 5 million fans in attendance.
8. The Rolling Stones: No Filter Tour
The ‘No Filter Tour’ by the Rolling Stones ran from 2017 to 2019. The Rolling Stones, one of the most iconic and long-lasting rock bands in history, continued to captivate audiences with their dynamic concerts, proving that aging could not dampen their rock ‘n’ roll enthusiasm.
The tour’s name, ‘No Filter’, referred to the band’s dedication to delivering their music in its purest form, free of pretense or artifice. This idea struck a chord with fans who had followed The Rolling Stones’ storied history and admired their sincerity and uncensored musical skill. Despite the passage of time, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and Ronnie Wood performed with unwavering intensity and excitement. It was a tribute to the band’s legacy, a testament to the ageless nature of rock ‘n’ roll, and a reminder that true love of music knows no age limits. The tour brought in a solid $540 million and was attended by more than 2.8 million people.
7. Rolling Stones: A Bigger Bang Tour
The “A Bigger Bang Tour” by the Rolling Stones ran from 2005 to 2007, making it one of the longest and most prosperous tours in rock history. This tour marked the band’s return to the stage after several years of inactivity, and it demonstrated that The Rolling Stones’ rock ‘n’ roll energy was as alive as ever. The tour was in support of their 2005 album ‘A Bigger Bang’, which introduced new songs to the band’s already famous catalog. The title of the album was a reference to the Big Bang theory, emphasizing the explosive energy that the Stones were known for bringing to their live performances.
The tour marked The Rolling Stones’ triumphant return, affirming that their rock ‘n’ roll legacy was as powerful as ever. It established its place as one of the greatest live acts of all time, leaving an enduring effect on the music business and setting a standard for the magnificence and spectacle of modern concert tours. The tour grossed over 550 million dollars and was the band’s highest-grossing tour to date. 4.6 million fans were part of the tour.
6. Guns N’ Roses: Not In This Lifetime Tour
From 2016 through 2019, the Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Not In This Lifetime Tour‘ won the hearts of rock and roll enthusiasts all around the world. This tour was a long-awaited reunion, bringing together renowned band members Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan after years apart. The tour was the first time they performed after the ‘Use Your Illusion‘ tour in 1993.
The tour went on with a sense of nostalgia and anticipation, as fans who had wished for this famous lineup to reunite on stage were finally granted their dream. Axl Rose’s strong vocals, Slash’s distinctive guitar solos, and Duff McKagan’s bass lines produced a sonic time machine that brought fans back to Guns N’ Roses’ glory days. The band earned approximately $580 million after the tour. More than 5 million fans attended the tour.
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5. Coldplay: Music Of The Spheres World Tour
The British band Coldplay began their ‘Music Of The Spheres Tour‘ in 2022, calling it a sustainable and actively beneficial concert. Team Coldplay was immersed in an extensive three-year phase of research and development after publicly declaring that touring would not restart until the band had found a more environmentally responsible way to hit the road.
Many steps have been taken to make the tour “as sustainable and low-carbon as possible,” guided by three essential principles: reduce, reinvent, and restore. Coldplay will return to Europe for a third series of stadium tours in June, July, and August 2024, following their sold-out summer stadium dates in 2023. The next shows will be their debut appearances in Greece, Romania, and Finland. Furthermore, the tour will take them back to Rome for the first time since 2003 and to Budapest for the first time since 2008. So far, six million and more people have attended the tour.
During their current Music of the Spheres world tour, the British band became only the second artist ever to reach a half-billion dollars in the ten all-time highest-grossing tours. They earned more than $600 million, and the tour has not even ended. Further shows are probably going to make sure that the band reaches even higher on this list.
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4. Harry Styles: Love On Tour
Perhaps the youngest artist on this list, Harry Styles‘ recent concert was able to break quite a few records and establish him as a true icon in the industry. ‘Love on Tour’ demonstrated Harry’s development as a solo musician. Fans were thrilled to watch him play songs from his critically praised albums, ‘Harry Styles‘, ‘Fine Line’, and ‘Harry’s House’, which showcased his musical diversity and maturity.
Furthermore, the production value of ‘Love on Tour‘ was excellent. The stage design, lighting, and visual effects provided the audience with a compelling and immersive experience. Harry Styles’ commitment to making his concerts a safe and inclusive environment contributed to the concert’s success. He has been an advocate for inclusion and equality, as well as encouraging his fans to love and be kind. Harry’s interactions with the audience made the show feel more intimate and personal. He expressed his gratitude to his fans and made sure they had a wonderful experience. The tour earned more than 600 million dollars and is Styles’ most successful tour to date. It surpasses the gross earnings of One Direction in all their tours. More than 4.5 million fans could attend his concert.
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3. U2: U2 360° Tour
The ‘U2 360° Tour’ was a significant concert tour performed by the Irish rock band U2 from 2009 to 2011. It was recognized for its gigantic stage setup and unique design, and it was one of the most ambitious and technologically advanced tours in music history. The tour was titled ‘360°‘ because of the venue’s distinctive stage design, which featured a round, rotating stage in the center. This structure allows for a 360-degree viewing experience, allowing spectators to have a better look at the band from every angle. According to band manager Paul McGuinness, this is a reference not only to the tour’s unusual production but also a subtle nod to U2’s long-term multi-rights deal with promoter Live Nation, which he described as “a little private joke to amuse myself at one point.”
The stage was infamously nicknamed “The Claw” because of its distinctive, claw-like appearance. In terms of attendance and revenue, the tour was a huge success. It broke records for the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, breaking both gross revenue and ticket sales records. The tour earned more than 730 million dollars, making it the band’s most successful tour ever. The attendance went as high as seven million.
2. Ed Sheeran: ÷ Tour
‘The (Divide) Tour‘ was a global concert tour in support of Ed Sheeran’s third studio album, ‘÷‘ (Divide), which was released in 2017. The tour, which spanned from 2017 to 2019, became one of the most successful concert tours in history, showcasing Ed Sheeran’s outstanding talent as a musician and his relationship with his fans. ‘The (Divide) Tour‘ was named after Ed Sheeran’s album ‘÷‘ which followed his pattern of naming albums with mathematical symbols. While the tour had a simpler stage design than prior large-scale tours, the emphasis was on the music and the relationship between Sheeran and his audience. The Tour broke multiple attendance and revenue records. It went on to become one of the most successful musical tours of all time. More than eight million people attended his tour.
Sheeran earned more than 770 million dollars on the tour, making it the second-highest-grossing tour in the history of music. This says a lot because his concerts don’t have the glamour of dancers, fancy costumes, extravagant stages, and graphics like other stars had. He is the second-youngest performer on this list.
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1. Elton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour
The iconic British singer-songwriter Elton John’s ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour‘ is a historic farewell tour. The tour was announced in 2018 and was supposed to go from 2018 to 2021. However, because of the COVID-19 epidemic and consequent rescheduling, the tour was postponed and went on till 2023. The ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour‘ is Elton John’s final global tour. Following this he declared his intention to retire from touring. The tour’s title alludes to his landmark record ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,’ and its nostalgic trip through his legendary career.
It’s intended to be a full celebration of his musical legacy, with songs and fan favorites spanning decades. It became the highest-grossing tour of all time as fans all over the world attended the shows to say goodbye to the legendary artist. The total earnings of the tour went on to be more than nine million. The tour was attended by six million fans.
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