As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to assess which artists dominated the concert scene financially. Among the standout names are Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, and Metallica, whose tours ranked among the most profitable of the year. Pollstar’s annual study reveals the numbers behind their success, offering a clear picture of how these rock legends fared.
Bruce Springsteen Leads Rock Revenue
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band claimed the title of the highest-earning rock act, securing fifth place overall with $251 million in gross revenue from 44 concerts held between November 16, 2023, and November 13, 2024. With an average ticket price of $150.69, Springsteen sold a total of 1.667 million tickets, drawing an average crowd of 37,900 and grossing $5.7 million per show.
The Rolling Stones Deliver Premium Performances
Close behind, The Rolling Stones ranked sixth with $235 million from their Hackney Diamonds Tour 2024. While the band performed only 18 concerts (out of a total of 20), their higher ticket prices—averaging $277.28—brought in an impressive $13 million per show. Each performance attracted 47,100 fans on average, with a total of 847,800 tickets sold. This made the Stones the top-grossing North American tour of the year.
Metallica Packs Arenas with Record Attendance
Metallica claimed ninth place, earning $179 million from 24 concerts. Though their average ticket price of $119.64 was the lowest among the three rock bands, their large audiences averaged 62,512 per show. With a total of 1.5 million tickets sold, Metallica grossed $7.48 million per night.
Taylor Swift Reigns Supreme
Despite the impressive numbers from these rock icons, the year’s top-grossing tour belonged to Taylor Swift. Her Eras Tour shattered records, earning a staggering $1.043 billion across 80 concerts. Swift sold an average of 65,126 tickets per show at a price of $200.27, generating $13 million in nightly revenue. The Eras Tour not only topped 2024 but cemented its place as the most lucrative tour in history.
These figures underscore the enduring popularity of rock giants while highlighting the unstoppable force that is Taylor Swift in the world of live music.
