U2 Top Ticket Sales For 2001

Happy 2002! As with the beginning of every new year, this one comes with a hefty list of statistics and numbers that are meant to sum up the events of 2001. No publication can resist the temptation to analyze the winners and losers of those 12 months gone by and our Irish friends U2 have made a dent in at least one poll. Pollstar magazine has just released the list of the top 40 highest grossing North American concert tours of 2001 and the results aren’t that surprising.

While Pollstar’s rankings are completely based on ticket sales, we’re pleased to announce that the highest grossing tour of 2001 also turned out to be one of the highest quality travelling rock shows of the year. That’s right — U2’s Elevation tour raked in over 109 million bucks, putting them ahead of both *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys who come in at #2 and #3 respectively. Maybe it’s because of all of U2’s confident posturing, maybe it’s because they’ve finally started playing rock ‘n’ roll again or maybe it’s just because they stayed on the road for so damn long (80 shows, baby) — but more of you put your money down on U2 than any other band.

The highest Canadian entry on the list is Barenaked Ladies, who come in at #22. Making over $17 million over the span of 74 shows ain’t too shabby. Other noteworthy acts that fared well include Tool who come in at #20 (over $20 million for 63 shows), Blink-182 who stand at #31 ($13 million for 63 shows) and Depeche Mode at #25 (over $16 million for 40 shows). You kiddies also dug into the festival scene — Ozzfest ranked #15 with over $26 million made over 31 shows and the Warped Tour scored the #34 position with $12 million in 46 shows.

The rest of the list is mainly comprised of golden oldies (Elton John appears twice — at #5 for his co-headlining run with Billy Joel and at #28 for his own tour) and pop princesses (Britney, Madonna, Janet… need we go on?). It just goes to show you who can afford to charge $80 a ticket and who can’t. I just have one request for those of you who shelled out over $13 million to see Michael Flatley’s "Feet Of Flames" — don’t punish yourself again this year. Blow your dough on something else — this insanity has to come to an end.