Veteran, white male rock stars raked in the most cash from world tours in 2017, according to an annual list released on Thursday, while the highest-ranked women – Celine Dion and Lady Gaga – failed to make the top 10.
U2 grossed a leading $316 million (€265 million) from its 30th anniversary, 50-date Joshua Tree tour. It was followed by hard rock band Guns N’ Roses which took in $292.5 million, according to trade publication Pollstar’s ranking of the Top 20 worldwide tours of 2017.
British band Coldplay came in third, with $238 million, on a list where Bruno Mars, 32, of Puerto Rican and Philippine descent, was the only musician of colour in the top 10. Mars grossed $200 million. Ed Sheeran, 26, was the youngest singer in the top 10, pulling in $124.1 million.
At a whopping $1,500 average, Bruce Springsteen’s limited Broadway run had the highest ticket prices and grossed $87.8 million to give him 14th place.
In 11th spot, Dion was the top female act with $101.2 million, while Lady Gaga’s Joanne tour grossed $85.7 million for 15th place.
The touring numbers mark a strong contrast with US music sales and streaming preferences, where hip hop and R&B music this year became the most consumed music genre, according to a July Nielsen Music report.
The top 20 tours grossed $2.66 billion in 2017, a record high and an increase of more than $264 million from 2016, said Pollstar.
Pollstar’s ranking is based on ticket sales data and does not include revenue from merchandise which can add a sizable chunk to tour earnings.
