The Top-Grossing North American Tours of 2012
1/9/2013

Pollstar has released its annual report on the Top-Grossing North American Tours.
Perhaps not surprisingly, MADONNA took the top spot. Her tour grossed $133.7 million last year. Cirque Du Soleil's "Michael Jackson: The Immortal" show was second with $112.9 million. Here's the Top 10:
1.) Madonna, $133.7 million
2.) Cirque Du Soleil's "Michael Jackson: The Immortal", $112.9 million
3.) Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, $104.7 million
4.) Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw, $96.5 million
5.) Roger Waters, $90.2 million
6.) Coldplay, $54.8 million
7.) Dave Matthews Band, $51 million
8.) Van Halen, $49.9 million
9.) Barbra Streisand, $40.7 million (Barbra did this despite performing just 12 shows last year. I guess that's what happens when your average ticket price is $263.52, and your fans are willing to pony up.)
10.) Elton John, $40.4 million
Justin Bieber just missed the Top 10. He was at #11, with $40.2 million. Country singer JASON ALDEAN followed at #12 with an even $40 million.
By the way, the ROLLING STONES came in 52nd. They grossed $18.3 million despite playing just FOUR shows in the U.S. The average ticket price was $520.
You can download a .PDF of the Top 200 tours, here.
Overall, the concert industry was up slightly from last year. Ticket sales rose more than 5%, from 34.74 million in 2011 to 36.7 million last year. The average ticket price also rose, by $1.54. In 2011, the average ticket price was $67.22. Last year, the average price was $68.76.