Concert tour

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Taylor Swift performing at the Eras Tour, the highest-grossing concert tour of all time Eras Tour - Minneapolis, Minnesota - Midnights act 1.jpg
Taylor Swift performing at the Eras Tour, the highest-grossing concert tour of all time

A concert tour (or simply tour) is a series of concerts by an artist or group of artists in different cities, countries or locations. Often, concert tours are named to differentiate different tours by the same artist and to associate a specific tour with a particular album or product. Especially in the popular music world, such tours can become large-scale enterprises that last for several months or even years, are seen by hundreds of thousands or millions of people, and bring in millions of dollars in ticket revenues. A performer who embarks on a concert tour is called a touring artist. [1] [2]

Contents

Different segments of longer concert tours are known as "legs". [3] The different legs of a tour are denoted in different ways, dependent on the artist and type of tour, but the most common means of separating legs are dates (especially if there is a long break at some point), countries and/or continents, or different opening acts. In the largest concert tours, it has become more common for different legs to employ separate touring production crews and equipment, local to each geographical region.[ citation needed ] Concert tours are often administered on the local level by concert promoters or by performing arts presenters. Usually, small concert tours are managed by a road manager whereas large concert tours are managed by a tour manager.

Logistics

David Bowie's Glass Spider Tour stage (1987), then the largest touring set. Reportedly, it took 43 trucks to move the set. BowieRaR87-stage.jpg
David Bowie's Glass Spider Tour stage (1987), then the largest touring set. Reportedly, it took 43 trucks to move the set.

The main challenge in concert tours is how to move the performance's logistics from one venue to another venue, especially for a transcontinental tour. Tour logistics should be very organized and everything has to happen on time and in the right order as planned. [5] Autoweek magazine estimated 30 to 50 trucks were required by Taylor Swift's The 1989 World Tour to bring all the stage, sound equipment, instruments, props, and clothes. [6]

When Beyoncé visited the United Kingdom with her 2016 The Formation World Tour, it took seven Boeing 747 air freighters and a fleet of more than 70 trucks to get her stage set and other gear to the venues. The logistics phase of that tour did not include transportation of the backstage staff, musicians, performers, and the singer herself. [7]

Themes

The majority of concert tours are part of a promotional campaign to support an album release. [8] [9] Hence, new songs from the respective album are included on its tour's setlist. [10] Some tours are known as "greatest hits tours" or "reunion tour" without any new material or specific album release, [11] [12] such as Fleetwood Mac's 2009 Unleashed tour and No Doubt's 2009 Summer Tour. [13] [14] Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour (2023–2024) is a retrospective of her career to that point, where each act of the concert represents one of her albums. [15] In another case, artists embark on a concert tour to celebrate the anniversary of their past albums, such as U2's 2017 tour to mark the 30th anniversary of The Joshua Tree (1987) and Janet Jackson's 2019 tour to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). [16] [17]

Farewell tour

A farewell tour is a concert tour intended to signal the retirement of a singer, the disbanding of a band, or the end of a show's run. Many of the tours end up not being the last tour, with frequent regroupings, or revivals of shows. [18] [19] [20] Luciano Pavarotti's 2004 tour and Kenny Rogers's 2015–2017 tour are examples of farewell tours which were the last to be staged before their deaths. [21] [22]

Revenue

Taylor Swift The Eras Tour Lover Set (53109888928).jpg
ColdplayManch030623 (92 of 118) (52950415874).jpg
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and Coldplay's Music of the Spheres World Tour are the only concert tours in history to yield over $1 billion in revenue

As of October 2024, the highest-grossing concert tour of all time is Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, with $2.089 billion earned from 149 shows. [23] It was the first run to collect over $1 and $2 billion in revenue. [24] Coldplay's Music of the Spheres World Tour ranks at second place, being the first tour by a group and male act to reach $1 billion. [25] At third is Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road, with a total gross of $939 million from 2018–2023. [26] At fourth place is Ed Sheeran's ÷ Tour, with a gross of $776.2 million. [27] [28] On fifth place is U2's 360° Tour, with $736.4 million. [29]

Global touring revenue reported to Billboard Boxscore exceeded $5.5 billion in 2016. [30] Due to the collapse of record sales in the 21st century, concert tours have become a major source of income for recording artists. [31] Besides the tickets, touring also generates money from the sales of merchandise and meet-and-greet packages. [32] [33] However, the touring business suffered in the early 2020s because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pollstar estimated the total lost revenue for the industry in 2020 at more than $30 billion. [34]

Response

The mobility of concert tours requires a lot of costs, time, and energy. It is very common for musicians to not see family members for over a year during their touring. [35] British singer Adele expressed her unhappiness of concert tours, saying "Touring is a peculiar thing, it doesn't suit me particularly well. I'm a real homebody and I get so much joy in the small things." [35] A concert residency concept is offered as an alternative to performers who just need to stay in one venue and the fans come to see them. [36] The concept has been revitalized in the 21st century by Canadian superstar Céline Dion with the success of her A New Day... residency (2003–2007). Her residency introduced a new form of theatrical entertainment, a fusion of song, performance art, innovative stage craft, and state-of-the-art technology. She managed to popularize the Las Vegas residency as a desirable way for top artists to essentially tour in place, letting their fans come to them. [37] American singer Lady Gaga, who cancelled the 2018 European leg of her Joanne World Tour, signed for a Las Vegas residency to help manage her fibromyalgia illness, which can be exacerbated by touring. [38]

The 2015 study by charity Help Musicians found that over 60% of musicians suffered from depression or other psychological issues, with touring an issue for 71% of respondents. [39]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U2</span> Irish rock band

U2 are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1976. The group comprises Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.. Initially rooted in post-punk, U2's musical style has evolved throughout their career, yet has maintained an anthemic quality built on Bono's expressive vocals and the Edge's chiming, effects-based guitar sounds. Bono's lyrics, often embellished with spiritual imagery, focus on personal and sociopolitical themes. Popular for their live performances, the group have staged several elaborate tours over their career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concert</span> Live performance of music

A concert is a live music performance in front of an audience. The performance may be carried by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, choir, or band. Concerts are held in a wide variety and size of settings, from private houses and small nightclubs, dedicated concert halls, amphitheatres and parks, to large multipurpose buildings, such as arenas and stadiums. Indoor concerts held in the largest venues are sometimes called arena concerts or amphitheatre concerts. Informal names for a concert include show and gig.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Swift</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1989)

Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her biographical songwriting, artistic reinventions, and cultural impact, Swift is a leading figure in popular music and the subject of widespread public interest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">México En La Piel Tour</span> 2005–07 concert tour by Luis Miguel

México En La Piel Tour was a concert tour performed by Luis Miguel in support of his studio albums México en la Piel and later Navidades during 2006–2007. On this tour, Luis Miguel performed his recent pop songs, his newest mariachi songs, and also his back-catalogue. Two press conferences were held to present the album México en la Piel – one in the National Art Museum (MUNAL) of Mexico City and another in Madrid. In late 2006, Luis Miguel presents his album Navidades in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celine (concert residency)</span> Las Vegas concert residency by Céline Dion

Celine was the second concert residency by the Canadian singer Celine Dion. It was performed at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, beginning 15 March 2011, with an estimated 70 performances per year. The residency ranked 26th in Pollstar's "Top 50 Worldwide Tour (Mid-Year)", earning over $20 million. Being seen by over 200,000 people, the residency became the number one show in 2011. It made Dion the top earner in Vegas, earning $500,000 a show, and made her the "most profitable music act in Las Vegas" since Elvis Presley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speak Now World Tour</span> 2011–2012 concert tour by Taylor Swift

The Speak Now World Tour was the second concert tour by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who embarked on it to support her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). It began on February 9, 2011, visiting Asia and Europe before kicking off in North America on May 27, 2011. It concluded on March 18, 2012, in Oceania. In total, the tour covered 110 shows across 19 territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concert residency</span> Run of an artists concerts at one location

A concert residency is a series of concerts, similar to a concert tour, but only performed at one location. Pollstar Awards defined residency as a run of 10 or more shows at a single venue. An artist who performs on a concert residency is called a resident performer. Concert residencies have been the staple of the Las Vegas Strip for decades, pioneered by singer-pianist Liberace in the 1940s and Frank Sinatra with the Rat Pack in the 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The 1989 World Tour</span> 2015 concert tour by Taylor Swift

The 1989 World Tour was the fourth concert tour by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who embarked on it to support her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Swift announced the tour's first dates in North America, Europe, Japan, and Oceania in November and December 2014. She announced additional dates for Singapore and China in June 2015, and a final announcement of the third show in Melbourne was made the following month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Joshua Tree Tours 2017 and 2019</span> Concert tours by U2 in 2017 and 2019

The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 and The Joshua Tree Tour 2019 were two worldwide concert tours by rock band U2 commemorating the 30th anniversary of their 1987 album The Joshua Tree. The 2017 tour visited stadiums over four legs: North America from May to July and in September, Europe from July to August, and Latin America in October. The 2019 tour visited Oceania and Asia in November and December, marking the band's first ever concerts in South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, and India. The band played the whole Joshua Tree album during the concerts, which included their first live performances of the song "Red Hill Mining Town". It was the first time the group toured in promotion of an album from their back catalogue, rather than a new release. As part of the tour, U2 headlined the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, in June 2017.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reputation Stadium Tour</span> 2018 concert tour by Taylor Swift

The Reputation Stadium Tour was the fifth concert tour by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who embarked on it to support her sixth studio album, Reputation (2017). Her first all-stadium tour, it began on May 8, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona, and concluded on November 21, 2018, in Tokyo, Japan. The tour encompassed 53 shows and visited 7 countries in total.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Eras Tour</span> 2023–2024 concert tour by Taylor Swift

The Eras Tour was the sixth concert tour by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It began in Glendale, Arizona, on March 17, 2023, and concluded in Vancouver, British Columbia, on December 8, 2024. Consisting of 149 shows across five continents, the Eras Tour had a broad cultural and socioeconomic impact, becoming the highest-grossing tour of all time and the first to earn over US$1 billion in revenue.

U2:UV <i>Achtung Baby</i> Live at Sphere 2023–2024 concert residency by U2

U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere was a concert residency by the Irish rock band U2 that took place at Sphere in Paradise, Nevada, in the Las Vegas Valley. Consisting of 40 concerts from 29 September 2023 to 2 March 2024, the residency inaugurated the venue, with each show featuring a full performance of the group's 1991 album Achtung Baby along with a mix of other songs from their catalogue. The shows leveraged Sphere's immersive video and sound capabilities, which include a 16K resolution wraparound LED video screen measuring 160,000 square feet (15,000 m2), and speakers with beamforming and wave field synthesis technologies.

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