We’ve all been to great rock shows in 2018 and some of our favorite bands are among the most profitable tours of the year.
See who they are:
20. Iron Maiden – $37.5 million
The legendary Iron Maiden with not many concerts on the Legacy of the Beast World Tour grossed about $37.5 million. The tour continues in the second half of 2019. We can’t wait for it!
19. Elton John – $37.5 million
On his farewell tour the master Elton John made a little bit more than Maiden with gross ticket sales also around $37.5 million. The average ticket price for his shows was $134.81.
18. Paul McCartney – $37.9 million
The former Beatle with 75 years old continues to play on stadiums with thousands of people and he just release his new studio album Egypt Stadium. The tour continues in 2019.
17. Phish – $38.9 million
Maybe the less known band from the list, the americans from Phish are making a lot of money touring in North America. The band was founded at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont in 1983. The band is known for musical improvisation, extended jams, blending of genres, and a dedicated fan base.
16. Queen + Adam Lambert – $39.7 million
Not only the bands biopic was successful but also the tour made by the group with Adam Lambert. They’ve played on Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The tour continues on 2019.
15. The Killers – $42.9 million
The Killers made another successful tour with “Wonderful Wonderful World Tour,” this time in support of their fifth studio album. They made 53 concerts.
14. Dead & Company – $46.3 million
It was more than 30 concerts in 29 cities in the USA. The tour that joins John Mayer and The Grateful Dead grossed over $46 million with the average ticket price of $76.82.
13. Dave Matthews Band – $47.7 million
With 67 shows made, the band played in 37 cities and had a total of 716,489 ticket sales grossing $47.7 million.
12. Trans-Siberian Orchestra – $53.7 million
We didn’t expect that. But with 94 shows a year the band grossed more than 53 million. The band founded in 1996 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O’Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli (both members of Savatage) and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel to form the core of the creative team.
11. Metallica – $67.3 million
James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo had a great success the WorldWired tour and it continues on 2019.
10. Billy Joel – $70.3 million
The pop-rock singer with only 23 shows grossed over $70 million, with an average ticket price of $122.80.
9. Phil Collins – $75.5 million
The Former Genesis drummer and singer made his comeback tour “Not Dead Yet Tou.”, grossing $75.5 million with 34 shows.
8. Guns N’ Roses – $82.4 million
With the “Not In This Lifetime Tour” Guns N’ Roses finally cameback with the almost original lineup with Axl Rose, Duff McKagan and Slash and made a very successful tour with more than $82.4 million only in 2018.
7. Foo Fighters – $87.3 million
With 70 shows in 2018, Foo Fighters made about 87 million with an average of over $2 million per show.
6. Bruce Springsteen (Springsteen on Broadway) – $88.3 million
Technically not a tour like all these others on the list since all of the Bruce Springsteen’s live dates here include only his residency at Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City, dubbed “Springsteen on Broadway.” But $88.3 million is still impressive and it’s been included in the report.
5. Journey + Def Leppard – $97.8 million
Journey joined forces with Def Leppard in this co-headlining run included 60 shows in total that grossed $97.8 million with an average ticket price of $97.79.
4. The Rolling Stones – $116.6 million
Believe it or not they are still touring, the Rolling Stones still plays in big stadiums around the world. they grossed $116.6 million in just 14 shows with the total ticket sale of 750,914.
3. U2 – $126.2 million
U2’s dubbed “Experience + Innocence,” gathered $126.2 million with over $4 million average gross per show.
2. Roger Waters – $131.3 million
The former Pink Floyd bassist, Roger Waters is on tour promoting his latest release “Is This the Life We Really Want?”. The tour continues in 2019
1. Eagles – $166 million
Even with Glenn Frey’s death the group continues with his son in his place. With 53 shows in 45 cities, accumulating $166 million. The average ticket price was rather high, $172.13, but this all earned them spot No. 6 in the general standing.
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