Touring Business Boomed in 2013

The North American touring business hit an all-time high last year, bringing in $5.1 billion in revenue, according to new data from Pollstar. This is a significant boost from $1.7 billion in 2000.
The touring trade magazine ranked the Top 100 tours in North America last year. Compared to 2012, the number of tickets sold on those outings was up 9.2 percent since 2012, or 3.37 million, for a total of 40.07 million. Those tours brought in a record high of $2.79 billion, a 10.3 percent increase year over year. The average price of a ticket was $69.52, up only 1.1 percent.
Taylor Swift beat her own 2011 record to become the top grossing Country tour in history, raking in $112.7 million in 2013. Her outing, promoted by The Messina Group, was also the top grossing North American tour last year.
Below is a list of Country stars and their 2013 concert gross totals, from Pollstar’s Top 200 list. For the full list and details including ticket price, tickets sold, number of shows and agency, visit pollstarpro.com.
In related news, Pollstar Live is being held outside L.A. or Las Vegas for the first time when it takes place in Nashville from Feb. 19-21 at the Omni.
Taylor Swift— 112.7 million
Kenny Chesney— 90.9
Jason Aldean— 51
Luke Bryan— 44.4
Zac Brown Band— 43.1
George Strait— 40.9
Miranda Lambert— 34.2
Rascal Flatts— 29.8
Tim McGraw— 27.2
Carrie Underwood— 26.3
Brad Paisley— 25.3
Keith Urban— 20.4
Blake Shelton— 19.5
Willie Nelson— 14.2
Toby Keith—12.9
Florida Georgia Line— 8.3
Alabama— 6.5
Eric Church— 6.1
Brantley Gilbert— 5.3
Darius Rucker— 5.2
Reba— 4.9