MR

Bon Jovi, Springsteen head list of best-selling tours; concert-industry outlook not rosy
By
Eric R. Danton
on July 13, 2008 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
The rest of the economy is in the dumps, but the concert business is doing just fine -- on the surface.

The concert industry held steady in the first half of 2008, grossing $1.05 billion, according to industry trade publication Pollstar. That was heartening to The New York Times, which led its story on the numbers by declaring, "For the music industry these days, flat is good."

Maybe, but "flat" isn't entirely accurate.

Ticket sales actually fell 5.6 percent in the first half of 2008, though a 5.9 percent hike in ticket prices kept the gross revenue about the same as last year's.

"In other words, we're charging more for what people want to see. And that's all people want to see," industry observer Bob Lefsetz writes in his newsletter. "We've got a string of headliners, many ancient like Bon Jovi, Bruce [Springsteen] and Van Halen, and a ton of nobodies/wannabes."
Indeed, those three veterans topped the list of the 100 top-grossing tours. But they don't tour every year. Neither do the Spice Girls or the Police, who also landed in the top 10 (see the list below). The latter half of this year will feature tours by Madonna and Coldplay, but they don't go on the road every year either. How will the concert industry fare in 2009, when those outings are over or winding down?

There's another troubling piece here. As the Times notes, tickets for the most popular tours often go on sale far in advance of shows, which may not account for the recent spike in gas prices.

"There's been a delayed effect," Randy Phillips, the chief executive of AEG Live, which runs XL Center in Hartford, told the Times. "Most of these shows went on public sale in February, March and April, and it wasn't as dire as it got right after that."

So ticket sales are down, and ticket -- and fuel -- prices are up. The live-music business is OK for now, but it sounds like a matter of time before the bottom drops out.

Here are the top-10 grossing tours between Jan. 1-June 30, 2008, as compiled by Pollstar:

1. Bon Jovi, $56.3 million
2. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, $40.8 million
3. Van Halen, $36.8 million
4. Kenny Chesney, $35.3 million
5. Michael Buble, $32.5 million
6. Kanye West, $31.6 million
7. Jay-Z/Mary J. Blige, $30.7 million
8. Rascall Flatts, $25.4 million
9. Spice Girls, $23.3 million
10. The Police, $23.3 million

Note- These are US dates only. Some of these acts spent equal or more time out of the US.

Rockindeano wrote:Bon Jovi, Springsteen head list of best-selling tours; concert-industry outlook not rosy
By
Eric R. Danton
on July 13, 2008 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
The rest of the economy is in the dumps, but the concert business is doing just fine -- on the surface.

The concert industry held steady in the first half of 2008, grossing $1.05 billion, according to industry trade publication Pollstar. That was heartening to The New York Times, which led its story on the numbers by declaring, "For the music industry these days, flat is good."

Maybe, but "flat" isn't entirely accurate.

Ticket sales actually fell 5.6 percent in the first half of 2008, though a 5.9 percent hike in ticket prices kept the gross revenue about the same as last year's.

"In other words, we're charging more for what people want to see. And that's all people want to see," industry observer Bob Lefsetz writes in his newsletter. "We've got a string of headliners, many ancient like Bon Jovi, Bruce [Springsteen] and Van Halen, and a ton of nobodies/wannabes."
Indeed, those three veterans topped the list of the 100 top-grossing tours. But they don't tour every year. Neither do the Spice Girls or the Police, who also landed in the top 10 (see the list below). The latter half of this year will feature tours by Madonna and Coldplay, but they don't go on the road every year either. How will the concert industry fare in 2009, when those outings are over or winding down?

There's another troubling piece here. As the Times notes, tickets for the most popular tours often go on sale far in advance of shows, which may not account for the recent spike in gas prices.

"There's been a delayed effect," Randy Phillips, the chief executive of AEG Live, which runs XL Center in Hartford, told the Times. "Most of these shows went on public sale in February, March and April, and it wasn't as dire as it got right after that."

So ticket sales are down, and ticket -- and fuel -- prices are up. The live-music business is OK for now, but it sounds like a matter of time before the bottom drops out.

Here are the top-10 grossing tours between Jan. 1-June 30, 2008, as compiled by Pollstar:

1. Bon Jovi, $56.3 million
2. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, $40.8 million
3. Van Halen, $36.8 million
4. Kenny Chesney, $35.3 million
5. Michael Buble, $32.5 million
6. Kanye West, $31.6 million
7. Jay-Z/Mary J. Blige, $30.7 million
8. Rascall Flatts, $25.4 million
9. Spice Girls, $23.3 million
10. The Police, $23.3 million

Note- These are US dates only. Some of these acts spent equal or more time out of the US.

God I'm embarrassed to be a part of my generation sometimes

Ehwmatt wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:Bon Jovi, Springsteen head list of best-selling tours; concert-industry outlook not rosy
By
Eric R. Danton
on July 13, 2008 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
The rest of the economy is in the dumps, but the concert business is doing just fine -- on the surface.

The concert industry held steady in the first half of 2008, grossing $1.05 billion, according to industry trade publication Pollstar. That was heartening to The New York Times, which led its story on the numbers by declaring, "For the music industry these days, flat is good."

Maybe, but "flat" isn't entirely accurate.

Ticket sales actually fell 5.6 percent in the first half of 2008, though a 5.9 percent hike in ticket prices kept the gross revenue about the same as last year's.

"In other words, we're charging more for what people want to see. And that's all people want to see," industry observer Bob Lefsetz writes in his newsletter. "We've got a string of headliners, many ancient like Bon Jovi, Bruce [Springsteen] and Van Halen, and a ton of nobodies/wannabes."
Indeed, those three veterans topped the list of the 100 top-grossing tours. But they don't tour every year. Neither do the Spice Girls or the Police, who also landed in the top 10 (see the list below). The latter half of this year will feature tours by Madonna and Coldplay, but they don't go on the road every year either. How will the concert industry fare in 2009, when those outings are over or winding down?

There's another troubling piece here. As the Times notes, tickets for the most popular tours often go on sale far in advance of shows, which may not account for the recent spike in gas prices.

"There's been a delayed effect," Randy Phillips, the chief executive of AEG Live, which runs XL Center in Hartford, told the Times. "Most of these shows went on public sale in February, March and April, and it wasn't as dire as it got right after that."

So ticket sales are down, and ticket -- and fuel -- prices are up. The live-music business is OK for now, but it sounds like a matter of time before the bottom drops out.

Here are the top-10 grossing tours between Jan. 1-June 30, 2008, as compiled by Pollstar:

1. Bon Jovi, $56.3 million
2. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, $40.8 million
3. Van Halen, $36.8 million
4. Kenny Chesney, $35.3 million
5. Michael Buble, $32.5 million
6. Kanye West, $31.6 million
7. Jay-Z/Mary J. Blige, $30.7 million
8. Rascall Flatts, $25.4 million
9. Spice Girls, $23.3 million
10. The Police, $23.3 million

Note- These are US dates only. Some of these acts spent equal or more time out of the US.

God I'm embarrassed to be a part of my generation sometimes

The Spice Girls put on a good show for their intended audience (12 and up) with high production values. They sing harmonies together very well (and they do actually sing) so I'm not surprised they made this list .

1~3 and #10.....nice!!!

Gunbot wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:Bon Jovi, Springsteen head list of best-selling tours; concert-industry outlook not rosy
By
Eric R. Danton
on July 13, 2008 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
The rest of the economy is in the dumps, but the concert business is doing just fine -- on the surface.

The concert industry held steady in the first half of 2008, grossing $1.05 billion, according to industry trade publication Pollstar. That was heartening to The New York Times, which led its story on the numbers by declaring, "For the music industry these days, flat is good."

Maybe, but "flat" isn't entirely accurate.

Ticket sales actually fell 5.6 percent in the first half of 2008, though a 5.9 percent hike in ticket prices kept the gross revenue about the same as last year's.

"In other words, we're charging more for what people want to see. And that's all people want to see," industry observer Bob Lefsetz writes in his newsletter. "We've got a string of headliners, many ancient like Bon Jovi, Bruce [Springsteen] and Van Halen, and a ton of nobodies/wannabes."
Indeed, those three veterans topped the list of the 100 top-grossing tours. But they don't tour every year. Neither do the Spice Girls or the Police, who also landed in the top 10 (see the list below). The latter half of this year will feature tours by Madonna and Coldplay, but they don't go on the road every year either. How will the concert industry fare in 2009, when those outings are over or winding down?

There's another troubling piece here. As the Times notes, tickets for the most popular tours often go on sale far in advance of shows, which may not account for the recent spike in gas prices.

"There's been a delayed effect," Randy Phillips, the chief executive of AEG Live, which runs XL Center in Hartford, told the Times. "Most of these shows went on public sale in February, March and April, and it wasn't as dire as it got right after that."

So ticket sales are down, and ticket -- and fuel -- prices are up. The live-music business is OK for now, but it sounds like a matter of time before the bottom drops out.

Here are the top-10 grossing tours between Jan. 1-June 30, 2008, as compiled by Pollstar:

1. Bon Jovi, $56.3 million
2. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, $40.8 million
3. Van Halen, $36.8 million
4. Kenny Chesney, $35.3 million
5. Michael Buble, $32.5 million
6. Kanye West, $31.6 million
7. Jay-Z/Mary J. Blige, $30.7 million
8. Rascall Flatts, $25.4 million
9. Spice Girls, $23.3 million
10. The Police, $23.3 million

Note- These are US dates only. Some of these acts spent equal or more time out of the US.

God I'm embarrassed to be a part of my generation sometimes

The Spice Girls put on a good show for their intended audience (12 and up) with high production values. They sing harmonies together very well (and they do actually sing) so I'm not surprised they made this list .

They can sing, I'll give you that. They could try writing a fuckin song though.

My theory is that since people cut gas consumption by not going on big vacations this year, they used some of the cash they saved for local concerts. In other words, instead of dropping a couple grand on their annual trip to the beach, or some amusement park, they stayed home and spent a couple hundred on concert tix.

A lot of people stopped going to concerts over the years for many reasons, one of which is to save cash for kids and summer trips. Since most people stayed home this year, they figured treating themselves to a concert or two (nostalgia acts to boot) may be all the 'vacation' they get.

So, while ticket sales are still down, high gas prices indirectly influenced people to forking-out more cash for local/nearby shows, thereby propping-up the industry.


later~

Arkansas wrote:My theory is that since people cut gas consumption by not going on big vacations this year, they used some of the cash they saved for local concerts. In other words, instead of dropping a couple grand on their annual trip to the beach, or some amusement park, they stayed home and spent a couple hundred on concert tix.

A lot of people stopped going to concerts over the years for many reasons, one of which is to save cash for kids and summer trips. Since most people stayed home this year, they figured treating themselves to a concert or two (nostalgia acts to boot) may be all the 'vacation' they get.

So, while ticket sales are still down, high gas prices indirectly influenced people to forking-out more cash for local/nearby shows, thereby propping-up the industry.


later~

I think the concert industry feels the same pinch of home theater technology that the movie industry does, to a much smaller extent - with concert DVDs of pretty much every major act readily available and produced to the point where it can almost feel like you're there, at least aurally, an average music fan might be content to just watch the DVD from the comfort of their home theater system.

I think that hurts things a bit. Certainly not the only reason though.

I am actually a bit surprised the Journey /Heart tour is not in the top ten.

The Spice Girls are touring? Have no desire to see them or anything..not a fan of their music.. but I didn't even know that they got back together.

Rockindeano wrote:I am actually a bit surprised the Jpourney /Heart tour is not in the top ten.

The numbers are only through June. Journey et al. tour didn't start till July.

Ehwmatt wrote:

Arkansas wrote:My theory is that since people cut gas consumption by not going on big vacations this year, they used some of the cash they saved for local concerts. In other words, instead of dropping a couple grand on their annual trip to the beach, or some amusement park, they stayed home and spent a couple hundred on concert tix.

A lot of people stopped going to concerts over the years for many reasons, one of which is to save cash for kids and summer trips. Since most people stayed home this year, they figured treating themselves to a concert or two (nostalgia acts to boot) may be all the 'vacation' they get.

So, while ticket sales are still down, high gas prices indirectly influenced people to forking-out more cash for local/nearby shows, thereby propping-up the industry.


later~

I think the concert industry feels the same pinch of home theater technology that the movie industry does, to a much smaller extent - with concert DVDs of pretty much every major act readily available and produced to the point where it can almost feel like you're there, at least aurally, an average music fan might be content to just watch the DVD from the comfort of their home theater system.

I think that hurts things a bit. Certainly not the only reason though.

When these concerts start getting remastered and put on BlueRay, it will be game over. I love watching well produced concerts on my Home Theater system.

Gunbot wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:

Arkansas wrote:My theory is that since people cut gas consumption by not going on big vacations this year, they used some of the cash they saved for local concerts. In other words, instead of dropping a couple grand on their annual trip to the beach, or some amusement park, they stayed home and spent a couple hundred on concert tix.

A lot of people stopped going to concerts over the years for many reasons, one of which is to save cash for kids and summer trips. Since most people stayed home this year, they figured treating themselves to a concert or two (nostalgia acts to boot) may be all the 'vacation' they get.

So, while ticket sales are still down, high gas prices indirectly influenced people to forking-out more cash for local/nearby shows, thereby propping-up the industry.


later~

I think the concert industry feels the same pinch of home theater technology that the movie industry does, to a much smaller extent - with concert DVDs of pretty much every major act readily available and produced to the point where it can almost feel like you're there, at least aurally, an average music fan might be content to just watch the DVD from the comfort of their home theater system.

I think that hurts things a bit. Certainly not the only reason though.

When these concerts start getting remastered and put on BlueRay, it will be game over. I love watching well produced concerts on my Home Theater system.

I love it too. But, nothing will ever beat being there for me. But we who post here are much bigger music nuts than most, and paying 50$/ticket + $8/beer vs $15 for a DVD and $10 for a good 6-pack just isn't palatable to an average music fan/potential concertgoer. For these people, the cost/benefit just isn't there like it was when you could see a great show for $10.

We won't even get into the crowds, parking, walking, standing etc elements that tire people out at concerts.

Rockindeano wrote:I am actually a bit surprised the Journey /Heart tour is not in the top ten.

It's GOT to be in the top 20.

Ehwmatt wrote:

Gunbot wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:

Arkansas wrote:My theory is that since people cut gas consumption by not going on big vacations this year, they used some of the cash they saved for local concerts. In other words, instead of dropping a couple grand on their annual trip to the beach, or some amusement park, they stayed home and spent a couple hundred on concert tix.

A lot of people stopped going to concerts over the years for many reasons, one of which is to save cash for kids and summer trips. Since most people stayed home this year, they figured treating themselves to a concert or two (nostalgia acts to boot) may be all the 'vacation' they get.

So, while ticket sales are still down, high gas prices indirectly influenced people to forking-out more cash for local/nearby shows, thereby propping-up the industry.


later~

I think the concert industry feels the same pinch of home theater technology that the movie industry does, to a much smaller extent - with concert DVDs of pretty much every major act readily available and produced to the point where it can almost feel like you're there, at least aurally, an average music fan might be content to just watch the DVD from the comfort of their home theater system.

I think that hurts things a bit. Certainly not the only reason though.

When these concerts start getting remastered and put on BlueRay, it will be game over. I love watching well produced concerts on my Home Theater system.

I love it too. But, nothing will ever beat being there for me. But we who post here are much bigger music nuts than most, and paying 50$/ticket + $8/beer vs $15 for a DVD and $10 for a good 6-pack just isn't palatable to an average music fan/potential concertgoer. For these people, the cost/benefit just isn't there like it was when you could see a great show for $10.

We won't even get into the crowds, parking, walking, standing etc elements that tire people out at concerts.

For some groups like BSG, this is the only way to see them since they don't tour the states. I will spring for certain shows; Kenny Loggins, Heart, Celtic Woman and the Moody Blues. You're right though, Ticket prices and all the tacked on fees are killing most people.

That Full Circle DVD kicks ass.

Gunbot wrote: ... When these concerts start getting remastered and put on BlueRay ...

That's when we'll hear from Steve Perry again.


later~

Arkansas wrote:

Gunbot wrote: ... When these concerts start getting remastered and put on BlueRay ...

That's when we'll hear from Steve Perry again.


later~

I'm fine with that.....

Michigan Girl wrote:

Arkansas wrote:

Gunbot wrote: ... When these concerts start getting remastered and put on BlueRay ...

That's when we'll hear from Steve Perry again.


later~

I'm fine with that.....

He is going to be known as the remaster king. Maybe he can pimp himself out to some other acts that need some of their older catalog cleaned up a bit.

conversationpc wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:I am actually a bit surprised the Journey /Heart tour is not in the top ten.

It's GOT to be in the top 20.

Billboard's list of top tours had Journey at #20. They also have their album at #20 under top rock albums.

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/ ... ours.shtml

Suzanne wrote:

conversationpc wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:I am actually a bit surprised the Journey /Heart tour is not in the top ten.

It's GOT to be in the top 20.

Billboard's list of top tours had Journey at #20. They also have their album at #20 under top rock albums.

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/ ... ours.shtml

Hmmm...They are 13th on that list when you look at actual capacity. Does that mean actual attendees or capacity of all the venues they played at?

conversationpc wrote:

Suzanne wrote:

conversationpc wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:I am actually a bit surprised the Journey /Heart tour is not in the top ten.

It's GOT to be in the top 20.

Billboard's list of top tours had Journey at #20. They also have their album at #20 under top rock albums.

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/ ... ours.shtml

Hmmm...They are 13th on that list when you look at actual capacity. Does that mean actual attendees or capacity of all the venues they played at?

Capacity is just that. The capacity of all venues played by Journey was that number. The only bogus capacity numbers on the list are Bruce and maybe Jovi. They played stadiums, and the seats behind the band were unsold or roped off, but either way, they counted them. So when Bruce played Olympia Stadium in Helsinki, the attendance was 72,000 but capacity was 94,000. I don't think Journey played anything in the round did they? Nonetheless, good solid numbers. What I want to see are the bands listed ticket prices.

conversationpc wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:I am actually a bit surprised the Journey /Heart tour is not in the top ten.

It's GOT to be in the top 20.

It's old data - the article is from July.

This link has money made, total attendance, total capacity, number of shows, and number of sold out shows from Nov 07 to Nov 08.

Journey at #20 - $35.7 million along with 30 sellouts from a total of 57 shows.

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/ ... ours.shtml

Gunbot wrote:This link has money made, total attendance, total capacity, number of shows, and number of sold out shows from Nov 07 to Nov 08.

Journey at #20 - $35.7 million along with 30 sellouts from a total of 57 shows.

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/ ... ours.shtml

Staggering numbers all things considered. All 3 acts should be proud. They put on a heck of a show.

If they don't get smart and lower ticket prices, 2009 is gonna see a LOT of empty houses.

A few artists like Bruce do a different show every time...I'd go see him every month if he played in my town that often, but with Bon Jovi touring heavily in '02, '03, '05-'06, and 2008, if they go out again next year at $100+ a ticket, I don't know who's going to be able to afford to go since just about everybody in the universe has seen them at least once or twice this decade.


I love how there's less people paying more money and I'm sure no one in the industry knows or cares about that fact. But someday it will catch up with them.

Geez- # of shows,size of venue, who was the opening act????? All this gives me a headache. I wonder if Elton & Billy will top their Billboard totals ?

squirt1 wrote:Geez- # of shows,size of venue, who was the opening act????? All this gives me a headache. I wonder if Elton & Billy will top their Billboard totals ?

Depends on if a certain guy retires next year, in which if it is a retirement tour, will be the biggest of all time. I have heard from real people connected, that you will see up to 10 night stays in LA, Chicago and Boston, and up to a staggering 20 nights in Madison Square Garden, NYC.

Deano- Are you talking about Bruce?

Rockindeano wrote: 5. Michael Buble, $32.5 million

Who the fuck is Michael Buble? Never heard of him.

squirt1 wrote:Deano- Are you talking about Bruce?

Turn the light on did you Genius?