Money Matters, Simplified.
U2 named most successful artists of American tour 2009
by Ishita Sood - January 1, 2010 - comments
U2, which consists of members Bono (vocals and rhythm guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums and percussion) topped Pollstar's ratings for the most successful artists of 2009 American tour
New York, January 1 -- Irish rock band U2 have been named the most successful artists of the North American tour of 2009, according to concert tracking publication Pollstar.
The publication, a member of the Associated Press, said there was an average of 82,000 fans during their performances.
U2’s 360 degree tour, which is organized in support of their album ‘No Line on the Horizon’, started on June 8, 2009. During this tour, the rock band visited 16 cities and sold 1.3 million tickets in U.S. and Canada alone.
U2’s tour fifth most successful in America
U2's tour has been rated as the fifth most successful tour ever held in North America, according to Pollstar. This annual list is based on data provided by concert promoters and venue managers.
“It does appear that overall gross revenue is up,” said Pollstar editor Gary Bongiovanni.
“The No. 1 tour came in higher than last year's No. 1 tour, the No. 25 tour was higher and the No. 50 tour was higher.”
U2, which consists of members Bono (vocals and rhythm guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums and percussion), did 20 shows in their 2009 world tour.
The rock band, formed in 1976, charged approximately $93.77 per ticket. U2 was the only band to have crossed the $100-million mark at the box office in 2009.
It grossed $844 million from its past ten year trips and will continue its successful spree with the second leg of the 360 degree tour starting in the summer of 2010.
The top twenty
After U2, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band bagged the No. 2 in Pollstar's ranking. Elton John and Billy Joel’s joint tour got them the No. 3 spot, grossing $88 million at the box office.
Britney Spears and AC/Dc stood at No. 4 and 5 respectively. Spears made close to $83 million in the box office, while AC/DC made $78 million.
In addition to the above, Chesney came in sixth while the Jonas Brothers finished at No. 7 spot. The Dave Matthews Band landed at No. 8 spot and Fleetwood Mac was at No. 9.
Canadian rock band Nickelback, which is named as the top group of the decade by Billboard, finished at No. 11. Trailing behind them was heavy metal band Metallica.
Other artists which made to the top 20 was Miley Cyrus (No. 13), the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (No. 14), Rascal Flatts (No. 18) and Coldplay (No. 19, $40.8 million).
Overall, the total attendance in concert business went up by 13 percent from the previous year.