Who Are the Singers Behind History's Most Sold-out Tours?

When we talk about sold-out tour singers who've shaken the rafters of history, names like U2, The Rolling Stones, and Madonna come to mind. These legends have not only packed arenas and stadiums but also caused a seismic shift in the world of live music, leaving audiences spellbound and gasping for more.

The Rock 'n Roll Titans: U2

The Eternal Showmen: The Rolling Stones

The Queen of Pop: Madonna

The Country Trailblazer: Garth Brooks

The Eclectic Maestro: Elton John

The Powerhouse Vocalist: Celine Dion

The Rap Mogul: Jay-Z

The New Pop Sensation: Taylor Swift

The Latin Music Star: Shakira

The K-Pop Phenomenon: BTS

The Timeless Diva: Barbra Streisand

The Metal Legends: Metallica

The Jazz Virtuoso: Diana Krall

The EDM King: Calvin Harris

The Australian Phenom: Tame Impala

Final Encore

FAQs

THE ROCK 'N ROLL TITANS: U2

U2's 360° Tour

The Irish rock band, U2, led by the charismatic Bono, conquered the world with their 360° Tour. In 2009, they embarked on what would become the highest-grossing tour of all time, raking in a staggering $736 million. With a colossal, spaceship-like stage, U2 offered fans a unique, 360-degree viewing experience, proving that innovation can quite literally pay off.

THE ETERNAL SHOWMEN: THE ROLLING STONES

The A Bigger Bang Tour

When it comes to The Rolling Stones, words like 'retirement' seem utterly irrelevant. Their 2005-2007 A Bigger Bang Tour amassed a monumental $558 million, making it one of the highest-grossing tours in history. Mick Jagger, with his electrifying stage presence, and Keith Richards, with his iconic guitar licks, showed us that age is just a number when you're rock royalty.

THE QUEEN OF POP: MADONNA

Sticky & Sweet Tour

Madonna, the unassailable Queen of Pop, held court in her 2008-2009 Sticky & Sweet Tour. With a gross of $408 million, she set a new record for a solo artist. Mixing sultry choreography with a career-spanning setlist, Madonna proved that she still reigns supreme, elevating the spectacle of live performance to stratospheric heights.

THE COUNTRY TRAILBLAZER: GARTH BROOKS

Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood

While country music may not traditionally dominate the lists of top-grossing tours, Garth Brooks is a significant exception. His World Tour with Trisha Yearwood (2014-2017) is among the most successful tours ever, with Brooks re-emerging from retirement to give fans a taste of his iconic twang and relatable lyrics.

THE ECLECTIC MAESTRO: ELTON JOHN

Farewell Yellow Brick Road

Never one to shy away from the flamboyant or the fabulous, Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour is the stuff of legends. Aimed to be his final global tour, it not only celebrates his illustrious 50-year career but also serves as a poignant goodbye to his fans. With ticket sales going through the roof, it's a touching tribute to the eclectic maestro's enduring appeal.

THE POWERHOUSE VOCALIST: CELINE DION

Taking Chances World Tour

Known for her unparalleled vocals and emotional delivery, Celine Dion is a force to be reckoned with in the world of live performances. Her 2008-2009 Taking Chances World Tour grossed over $280 million and showcased her inimitable range, from pop and rock to timeless ballads. While the Las Vegas residencies have been a significant part of her career, this world tour reminded us that Celine is a global phenomenon, capable of selling out arenas anywhere and everywhere.

THE RAP MOGUL: JAY-Z

On The Run II Tour with Beyoncé

Let's not forget about the realms of hip-hop and R&B, where Jay-Z reigns as a bona fide mogul. His On The Run II Tour with Beyoncé in 2018 amassed a staggering $253.5 million. Offering a dual spectacle of rap and R&B, complete with cinematic visuals and a setlist packed with hits from both artists, this tour is a testament to their standing as music industry titans.

THE NEW POP SENSATION: TAYLOR SWIFT

Reputation Stadium Tour

The world of pop has seen many stars, but few shine as brightly as Taylor Swift. Her 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour grossed over $345 million, breaking records for a female artist's tour in the United States. Taylor's knack for storytelling, coupled with her connection with the audience, makes her shows more than just concerts—they're cultural events.

THE LATIN MUSIC STAR: SHAKIRA

El Dorado World Tour

Latin music has a global appeal that's hard to deny, and Shakira's El Dorado World Tour showed just that. The tour, which took place in 2018, was a sold-out success, grossing over $75 million. With her signature belly dancing and a setlist that traversed multiple genres, Shakira proved that language is no barrier when it comes to delivering an exhilarating live music experience.

THE K-POP PHENOMENON: BTS

Love Yourself World Tour

No list of sold-out tour singers would be complete without mentioning the K-Pop sensation that is BTS. The boy band has captured hearts worldwide, and their Love Yourself World Tour in 2018-2019 was proof of their global appeal. With fan clubs organizing mass ticket purchases and shows selling out in minutes, BTS has certainly entered the annals of touring history.

THE TIMELESS DIVA: BARBRA STREISAND

Barbra: The Music, The Mem'ries, The Magic

Barbra Streisand, an icon in every sense, showed the world that her vocal prowess and stage presence have only improved with time. Her 2016 tour, "Barbra: The Music, The Mem'ries, The Magic," was a stunning display of vocal range, emotional depth, and nostalgia. With numerous sold-out dates, this tour allowed fans both young and old to witness the allure of a timeless diva.

THE METAL LEGENDS: METALLICA

WorldWired Tour

When it comes to metal, few bands have as expansive and loyal a following as Metallica. Their WorldWired Tour from 2016 to 2019 proved that they still dominate the heavy metal scene, with the tour grossing over $450 million. Thrashing guitars, gut-pounding drumbeats, and pyrotechnics galore, this tour had everything a metalhead could dream of, making it an electrifying spectacle from start to finish.

THE JAZZ VIRTUOSO: DIANA KRALL

Turn Up the Quiet World Tour

Though jazz is often considered a niche genre, Diana Krall has made it mainstream without losing its intrinsic sophistication. Her "Turn Up the Quiet World Tour" mesmerized audiences with its elegance and artistry, proving that jazz has a rightful place among the list of top-grossing tours. While she may not generate the same revenue as pop or rock artists, her sold-out shows speak volumes about the genre's enduring allure.

THE EDM KING: CALVIN HARRIS

Greater Than Tour with Tiësto

In the era of electronic dance music, DJs are the new rockstars, and Calvin Harris is the epitome of this trend. Teaming up with Tiësto for the "Greater Than Tour," Harris turned his performances into electric carnivals, each set an audio-visual feast. The tour grossed millions and affirmed the selling power of EDM in the modern age of live performances.

THE AUSTRALIAN PHENOM: TAME IMPALA

The Slow Rush Tour

Rounding out this list is Tame Impala, the psychedelic music project led by Australian musician Kevin Parker. Their "The Slow Rush Tour" showcased a heady mix of psychedelic rock and modern electronic influences. With hypnotic visuals and intricate musical layers, Tame Impala provided a unique concert experience that attracted a diverse fanbase, resulting in numerous sold-out shows.

FINAL ENCORE

Sold-out tour singers come from diverse musical landscapes, and their appeal transcends age, language, and geographical boundaries. What they offer is more than just a night of entertainment; it's a unifying experience that brings together fans from all walks of life. These tours have defined and redefined live music, serving as a testament to the artists' extraordinary talents and their uncanny ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level. So, here's to the artists who've set the stage ablaze and to the fans who've made these tours legendary—may the show go on, and may the tickets continue to sell out!

FAQS

Q1: What makes a tour "sold-out"?

A sold-out tour means that all the tickets for a concert or series of concerts have been purchased. This indicates a high level of popularity and demand for the artist.

Q2: How do artists benefit from sold-out tours?

Apart from the obvious financial gains, sold-out tours elevate an artist's reputation and can lead to further opportunities in their career, such as endorsements, collaborations, and more.

Q3: Are these tours only successful in certain countries?

While some artists have strong regional followings, many of the tours mentioned have global appeal, attracting fans from various countries and cultures.

Q4: How do fans contribute to the success of these tours?

Fans contribute not just by buying tickets, but through merchandise purchases, social media engagement, and word-of-mouth promotion, which can all enhance an artist's popularity and tour success.

Q5: Can lesser-known artists achieve sold-out tours?

Yes, lesser-known artists can achieve sold-out tours, especially if they have a dedicated fan base or niche appeal. Success in the music industry isn't always about mainstream popularity.

Q6: How has technology impacted these tours?

Technology has significantly enhanced the concert experience through advanced sound systems, lighting, special effects, and stage design. It's also made purchasing tickets more accessible and has allowed for live streaming of concerts.

Q7: Are there environmental concerns with large tours?

Yes, large tours can have environmental impacts, such as carbon emissions from travel and energy use. However, many artists and tour organizers are increasingly aware of this and are implementing eco-friendly practices.

Q8: What's the future of sold-out tours post-pandemic?

While the pandemic affected live music, the industry is rebounding with artists resuming tours. There's a pent-up demand for live performances, suggesting a bright future for sold-out tours in the post-pandemic era.