Pollstar’s 2013 North American Numbers

Pollstar estimates the total size of the North American concert business hit a new record high of $5.1 billion. That’s a particularly surprising number in light of the fact that in 2000 the total was only $1.7 billion.

Photo: Evan Agostini / Invision / AP

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, 69th Regiment Armory, New York City

The Top 100 Tours of North America hit a new record high at $2.79 billion. That represents a 10.3% increase over 2012.

Total tickets sold by the Top 100 was up 9.2% at 40.07 million. That is 3.37 million more tickets than in 2012.

Average ticket prices remained stable increasing a modest 1.1% to $69.52.

Taylor Swift did the top tour of North America grossing $112.7 million, just edging out Bon Jovi’s $107.3 million. That makes Swift’s tour the most lucrative ever produced by a country music artist, beating her own record of $97.7 million in 2011.

Swift also headlined 21 of the Top 200 grosses reported in North America. Kenny Chesney added 17 of his shows to the list making it a very good year for the house of Messina that produced both tours.

After years of worrying about who will replace all the aging baby boomer bands, the answers are starting to appear in the charts as new acts make their mark. One Direction, Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band, and Bruno Mars all made the Top 20 for the first time and each is expected to do even bigger business in 2014.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Performing at The Chelsea located in The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

Click here for Pollstar’s Top 2013 200 North American Tours.

Want more numbers? Check out Pollstar’s 2013 Top 100 Worldwide Tours.