Billboard Names Top 25 Tours of 2011

As 2011 inches nearer its final curtain call, annual review lists are pouring in a plenty. However, for many music enthusiasts, Billboard’s Top 25 Tours of the year tally proves the one to watch. Indeed, it clears the smoke and mirrors, giving true insight into who exactly is generating the big bucks and has real claim to the “superstar” status dished out all too generously these days.

So without further adieu, this year’s list awaits after the jump. Let’s just say it may surprise a few…

Billboard Top 25 Tours Of 2011

1
U2

Total Gross: $293,281,487 Number of Shows: 44
Total Attendance: 2,887,972 Number of Sell-Outs: 44

Setlist Essential: “Where The Streets Have No Name”

2
Bon Jovi

Total Gross: $192,947,951 Number of Shows: 68
Total Attendance: 1,851,385 Number of Sell-Outs: 68

Setlist Essential: “Wanted Dead Or Alive”

3
Take That

Total Gross: $185,175,360 Number of Shows: 29
Total Attendance: 1,806,473 Number of Sell-Outs: 29

Setlist Essential: “Kidz”
4
Roger Waters

Total Gross: $149,904,965 Number of Shows: 92
Total Attendance: 1,362,993 Number of Sell-Outs: 92

Setlist Essential: “Comfortably Numb”

5
Taylor Swift

Total Gross: $97,368,416 Number of Shows: 89
Total Attendance: 1,356,720 Number of Sell-Outs: 87

Setlist Essential: “You Belong With Me”

6
Kenny Chesney

Total Gross: $84,576,917 Number of Shows: 55
Total Attendance: 1,160,132 Number of Sell-Outs: 37

Setlist Essential: “Somewhere With You”

7
Usher

Total Gross: $74,954,681 Number of Shows: 73
Total Attendance: 922,327 Number of Sell-Outs: 58

Setlist Essential: “DJ Got Us Falling In Love”

8
Lady Gaga

Total Gross: $71,900,434 Number of Shows: 45
Total Attendance: 745,735 Number of Sell-Outs: 43

Setlist Essential: “Born This Way/Edge Of Glory”

9
André Rieu

Total Gross: $67,104,756 Number of Shows: 102
Total Attendance: 657,757 Number of Sell-Outs: 15

Setlist Essential: “Qué Será Será”

10
Sade

Total Gross: $53,178,550 Number of Shows: 59
Total Attendance: 588,693 Number of Sell-Outs: 21

Setlist Essential: “No Ordinary Love”

Chart Article
11
Michael Bublé

Total Gross: $49,856,921 Number of Shows: 57
Total Attendance: 520,242 Number of Sell-Outs: 36

Setlist Essential: “For Once In My Life”

12
Eagles

Total Gross: $49,759,190 Number of Shows: 24
Total Attendance: 286,684 Number of Sell-Outs: 3

Setlist Essential: “Long Road Out Of Eden”

13
Katy Perry

Total Gross: $48,851,454 Number of Shows: 98
Total Attendance: 1,002,656 Number of Sell-Outs: 54

Setlist Essential: “Firework”

14
Lil Wayne

Total Gross: $46,300,000 Number of Shows: 69
Total Attendance: 712,000 Number of Sell-Outs: 14

Setlist Essential: “How To Love”

15
Justin Bieber

Total Gross: $44,124,922 Number of Shows: 35
Total Attendance: 567,544 Number of Sell-Outs: 27

Setlist Essential: “One Less Lonely Girl”

16
Glee Live! In Concert!

Total Gross: $40,854,811 Number of Shows: 40
Total Attendance: 485,852 Number of Sell-Outs: 40

Setlist Essential: “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”

17
NKOTBSB

Total Gross: $40,415,307 Number of Shows: 51
Total Attendance: 609,426 Number of Sell-Outs: 22

Setlist Essential: “The Right Stuff/Larger Than Life”

18
Journey

Total Gross: $39,069,939 Number of Shows:73
Total Attendance: 688,871 Number of Sell-Outs: 17

Setlist Essential: “Don’t Stop Believin'”
19
Britney Spears

Total Gross: $37,100,000 Number of Shows: 39
Total Attendance: 396,000 Number of Sell-Outs:14

Setlist Essential: “Hold It Against Me”

20
Iron Maiden

Total Gross: $33,085,671 Number of Shows: 33
Total Attendance: 473,285 Number of Sell-Outs: 17

Setlist: Essential: “The Talisman”

21
Kylie Minogue

Total Gross: $32,559,439 Number of Shows: 41
Total Attendance: 307,135 Number of Sell-Outs: 2

Setlist Essential: “Closer/There Must Be An Angel/Love At First Sight”

22
Neil Diamond
Total Gross: $31,303,070 Number of Shows: 20
Total Attendance: 239,723 Number of Sell-Outs: 4

Setlist Essential: “Sweet Caroline”

23
Enrique Iglesias

Total Gross: $30,811,001 Number of Shows: 38
Total Attendance: 397,857 Number of Sell-Outs: 32

Setlist Essential: “Tonight”

24
Jason Aldean

Total Gross: $27,768,963 Number of Shows: 58
Total Attendance: 790,530 Number of Sell-Outs: 47

Setlist Essential: “See You When I See You”

25
Toby Keith

Total Gross: $27,313,132 Number of Shows: 52
Total Attendance: 673,668 Number of Sell-Outs: 19

Setlist Essential: “Made In America”

{Source}

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What a fascinating read; one which underscores many an important point. The most potent of which is that, while the US is the largest music market it in the world, it doesn’t mean acts outside that arena can’t make it rain elsewhere. Case, point, example Take That and Kylie Minogue – two acts whose main success is vested everywhere but the US and yet still made the list.

Also beyond the expected suspects, such as GaGa, Britney, and Sade, it was surprising to see Usher‘s latest trek place so high. For, despite his chart success, the tour seemed to go on in the background amidst minimal fanfare. Perhaps, it was just us who weren’t that interested?

In any case, love her or loathe her, Rihanna‘s omission is alo big news. For, the actress embarked on two heavily-backed tours within the catchment period (November 1st 2010 – November 8th 2011); treks which cast her as a “legit performer” and ones fans hoped would finally see her shed her “studio artist tag. And yet, just like the Forbes list, her nasal neigh is M.I.A. Clearly more proof that her “megastar” status is, at best, premature, and more realistically, non-existant. There’s always next year, ay?

Your thoughts?

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