Concerts have been an integral part of the music industry since the 1960s, and over the years, some of the biggest events in music history have taken place in front of massive crowds. From legendary rock bands to pop icons, the world’s biggest concerts have attracted millions of fans and generated billions of dollars in revenue.
Some of the biggest concerts in history include the 1985 Live Aid concert, which featured performances by numerous iconic artists and raised over $125 million for famine relief in Africa. Another significant concert was the 1991 Monsters of Rock festival in Moscow, which attracted over a million people and marked a significant moment in the end of the Cold War.
In this post, we will take a look at some of the biggest concerts in history and explore the impact they had on music and culture.
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Table Of Contents show
Biggest Concert Ever (Largest)
The biggest concert ever recorded was held in 1994 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and featured performances by numerous Brazilian and international artists, including Rod Stewart, Guns N’ Roses, and Neil Young. The event, known as the Rod Stewart concert, attracted an estimated 3.5 million people and was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest concert ever held.
Biggest Concerts In History
- Live Aid (1985): The Live Aid concert, organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, was held on July 13, 1985, and featured performances by numerous iconic artists, including Queen, U2, and David Bowie. The concert was held simultaneously in London and Philadelphia and raised over $125 million for famine relief in Africa.
- Monsters of Rock (1991): The Monsters of Rock festival was held on September 28, 1991, in Moscow, Russia, and featured performances by numerous heavy metal bands, including AC/DC, Metallica, and Pantera. The event attracted over a million people and marked a significant moment in the end of the Cold War.
- Isle of Wight Festival (1970): The Isle of Wight Festival was held from August 26-31, 1970, and featured performances by numerous legendary rock bands, including The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and The Doors. The festival attracted an estimated 600,000 people, making it one of the largest concerts in history at the time.
- Summer Jam at Watkins Glen (1973): The Summer Jam at Watkins Glen was held on July 28, 1973, and featured performances by The Grateful Dead, The Band, and The Allman Brothers Band. The event attracted an estimated 600,000 people, making it one of the largest concerts in history at the time.
- Woodstock (1969): The Woodstock festival, held on August 15-18, 1969, in Bethel, New York, featured performances by numerous iconic artists, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Who. The event attracted an estimated 400,000 people and is considered a defining moment in the counterculture movement of the 1960s.
Biggest Concert Attendance
The biggest concert attendance in history was the Rod Stewart concert held in 1994 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event attracted an estimated 3.5 million people, making it the largest concert ever held. The concert was free and was held on Copacabana Beach as part of the New Year’s celebrations in Rio de Janeiro.
Biggest Concert Tours Ever
- U2 360° Tour (2009-2011): The U2 360° Tour is the highest-grossing concert tour in history, having generated over $736 million in ticket sales. The tour spanned three years and featured 110 shows in 30 countries, with a total attendance of over 7 million people.
- The Rolling Stones A Bigger Bang Tour (2005-2007): The Rolling Stones A Bigger Bang Tour is the second-highest-grossing concert tour in history, having generated over $558 million in ticket sales. The tour spanned two years and featured 147 shows in 32 countries, with a total attendance of over 4.6 million people.
- Ed Sheeran Divide Tour (2017-2019): The Ed Sheeran Divide Tour is the third-highest-grossing concert tour in history, having generated over $429 million in ticket sales. The tour spanned two years and featured 255 shows in 43 countries, with a total attendance of over 8.9 million people.
- Guns N’ Roses Not in This Lifetime… Tour (2016-2019): The Guns N’ Roses Not in This Lifetime… Tour is the fourth-highest-grossing concert tour in history, having generated over $563 million in ticket sales. The tour spanned three years and featured 160 shows in 41 countries, with a total attendance of over 5.5 million people.
- Coldplay A Head Full of Dreams Tour (2016-2017): The Coldplay A Head Full of Dreams Tour is the fifth-highest-grossing concert tour in history, having generated over $523 million in ticket sales. The tour spanned two years and featured 114 shows in 76 cities, with a total attendance of over 5.4 million people.
Biggest Concert Stadium In The World
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, located in Pyongyang, North Korea, is currently the biggest concert stadium in the world, with a seating capacity of 114,000 people. The stadium was originally built for sporting events but has since been used for concerts and other large-scale performances.
Other notable large concert stadiums include Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan (USA), which has a seating capacity of 107,601, and Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania (USA), which has a seating capacity of 106,572.
Biggest Concert Venue in the US
The biggest concert venue in the US is the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which has a seating capacity of up to 100,000 people for concerts. The stadium, which is home to the Dallas Cowboys football team, has hosted numerous concerts and music festivals over the years, including performances by Beyoncé, U2, and Taylor Swift. Other notable large concert venues in the US include MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has a seating capacity of 82,500, and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, which has a seating capacity of 90,888.
Biggest Concert Venue in Australia
The biggest concert venue in Australia is the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), located in Melbourne, Victoria. The MCG has a seating capacity of 100,024 people and has hosted numerous concerts by artists such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, and U2. The stadium is primarily used for cricket and Australian rules football, but also hosts other large-scale events, including music festivals and cultural events. Other notable large concert venues in Australia include the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, New South Wales (seating capacity of 83,500) and the Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia (seating capacity of 60,000).
Biggest Concert Venue in Germany
The biggest concert venue in Germany is the Olympiastadion in Berlin, with a seating capacity of up to 74,475 people for concerts. The stadium, which was built for the 1936 Summer Olympics, has hosted numerous concerts by major artists, including The Rolling Stones, U2, and Coldplay. Other notable large concert venues in Germany include the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt (seating capacity of up to 60,000), and the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen (seating capacity of up to 54,740).
Biggest Concert Venue in the UK (United Kingdom)
The biggest concert venue in the UK is the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, with a seating capacity of up to 74,500 people for concerts. The stadium, which is primarily used for rugby union, has also hosted numerous concerts by major artists, including Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, and Coldplay. Other notable large concert venues in the UK include Wembley Stadium in London (seating capacity of up to 90,000), and Manchester Arena in Manchester (seating capacity of up to 21,000).
Biggest Concert Venue in Canada
The biggest concert venue in Canada is the Rogers Centre, located in Toronto, Ontario. The venue has a seating capacity of up to 55,000 people for concerts and has hosted numerous concerts by major artists, including The Rolling Stones, U2, and Taylor Swift. The Rogers Centre is primarily used as a sports stadium, hosting events such as baseball games and Canadian football, but also hosts concerts and other large-scale events throughout the year. Other notable large concert venues in Canada include the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec (seating capacity of up to 21,000), and the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta (seating capacity of up to 19,000).
Biggest Concert Promoters
- Live Nation Entertainment: Live Nation Entertainment is the largest concert promoter in the world, with operations in over 40 countries. The company promotes thousands of concerts and events each year, with a roster of artists that includes some of the biggest names in music.
- AEG Presents: AEG Presents is the second-largest concert promoter in the world, with operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company promotes concerts and events across a wide range of genres, including pop, rock, hip-hop, and electronic music.
- CTS Eventim: CTS Eventim is a German-based company that operates in over 20 countries and is one of the largest ticketing and live entertainment companies in Europe. The company promotes concerts, festivals, and other live events across a wide range of genres.
- Dainty Group: Dainty Group is a leading concert promoter based in Australia, with operations in Asia and Europe as well. The company promotes concerts and events across a wide range of genres, including rock, pop, and classical music.
- FKP Scorpio: FKP Scorpio is a German-based company that operates in Europe and is one of the largest concert promoters in the region. The company promotes concerts and festivals across a wide range of genres, including rock, pop, and electronic music.
What is the largest attended concert of all time?
The largest attended concert of all time was the Rod Stewart concert held in 1994 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event attracted an estimated 3.5 million people, making it the largest concert ever held. The concert was free and was held on Copacabana Beach as part of the New Year’s celebrations in Rio de Janeiro.
If you want to find out what my recommended guitar gear is, then here is what I recommend on Amazon:
- Ashethorpe Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Bundle (MY FAVORITE GUITAR)
- Snark SN-8 Super Tight All Instrument Tuner (Easiest Tuner I’ve Used)
- 6 String Acoustic Guitar Capo (Best CAPO for quick changes)
- Dunlop Max Grip 1.0mm Nylon Picks (Thick Guitar Pick So You Don’t Lose Grip!)
- Universal Guitar Stand (Cheap & Minimalist Guitar Stand I Recommend)
- Levy’s 2″ Wide Quick Adjust Guitar Strap (Best Guitar Strap For Any Level)
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FAQs
What is the largest attended concert of all time? ›
Rod Stewart holds the current world record for the largest concert performance. He performed on Copacabana Beach on New Year's Eve in 1994 for 3.5 million people.
Which concert has the biggest crowd in the world? ›Related to highest crowd in live concert in world
1. Rod Stewart's New year's Eve concert – 3.54 million. On January 26, 1980, the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro hosted a massive crowd of 175,000 people. The occasion was Frank Sinatra's live concert.
1 Grateful Dead - 107,019
The concert drew 107,019 fans making it the largest ticketed single concert in American history.
In 2023, with 278 reported dates, the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour by Elton John became the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, unadjusted for inflation.
What concert was bigger than Woodstock? ›The Summer Jam at Watkins Glen, the Grand Prix racetrack in New York state, took place on July 28, 1973. It was attended by a mind-boggling (and record-breaking) total of 600,000 people, who enjoyed hours and hours of music provided by just three acts, the Allman Brothers Band, the Grateful Dead, and The Band.
What was the largest music festival in history? ›The Woodstock Festival was a three-day pop and rock concert that turned out to be the most popular music event in history. It became a symbol of the hippie movement of the 1960s.
What is the world's most attended venue? ›Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre was deemed the most attended concert venue throughout the whole world for 2021. Billboard's Boxscore has named the iconic outdoor amphitheatre as the top-grossing, most attended concert venue of any size, anywhere in the world for 2021.
Which concert sold out the fastest? ›3. 2015 Concert (South Korea) - EXO Planet #2 - The EXO'luxion sold out (67,040 tickets) in 0.4 seconds, which was a record-breaking and at a time was the fastest sold-out concert in the world, though EXO breaks the world record again in 2017 with their new concert tour. 4.
Who has the most beautiful concert in the world? ›- Theatre Du Chatelet (Paris, France) ...
- Cidade das Artes (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) ...
- Wiener Musikverein (Vienna, Austria) ...
- Teatro La Scala (Milan, Italy) ...
- Royal Albert Hall (London, UK) ...
- Carnegie Hall (New York, USA) ...
- 7. Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, USA)
Deep Purple was recognised by The Guinness Book of World Records as the "globe's loudest band" for a concert at the London Rainbow Theatre, during which the sound reached 117 dB and three members of the audience fell unconscious.
When was the first big concert? ›
The first known public concerts for which admission was charged were given in London by the violinist John Banister at his home in Whitefriars in 1672.
Who is the highest paid music performer? ›This may come as a bit of a surprise, but Bruce Springsteen made it to the top of Forbes' list of highest-earning musicians in 2021 at an incredible $435 million. He became the highest-earning musician in 2004, at $92 million, and 1987 as well, at $134 million.
Who is the highest paid singer per concert? ›Who is the highest paid singer per concert? As the No. 1 live touring revenue generator for 2020, that amounts to $17 million in take-home pay, which puts Dion at the top of the concert earnings ranking and accounted for over 98% of her overall 2020 income.
What was the big concert in the 70s? ›Billed as "an Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music" and alternatively referred to as the Woodstock Rock Festival, it attracted an audience of more than 400,000 attendees. Thirty-two acts performed outdoors despite sporadic rain. It was one of the largest music festivals held in history.
How many arrests were at Woodstock 1969? ›At the conclusion of the event, now known by all as Woodstock, the State Police was able to report that the music festival, which was billed as an event of peace and music, was simply that. No use of force was shown by State Police and only 109 arrest were made on the property.
Why did Woodstock get so big? ›In 1969, the country was deep into the controversial Vietnam War, a conflict that many young people vehemently opposed. It was also the era of the civil rights movement, a period of great protest and unrest. Woodstock was an opportunity for people to escape into music and spread a message of unity and peace.
What was the largest rock concert in history? ›Music legend Rod Stewart holds the current world record for the biggest gig of all time — in 1994, he also performed on Copacabana Beach to to a staggering 3.5 million people celebrating New Year's Eve.
Where is the biggest concert? ›Copacabana beach also proved itself to be an excellent concert location. British rock singer Rod Stewart proved that better than anyone else on New Year's Eve 1994/1995. His free New Year's Eve concert attracted a bit more than 3.5 million people that year, making it the biggest concert of all time.
How many people attended Woodstock 99? ›Like the previous festivals, it was held in upstate New York, this time at the former Griffiss Air Force Base roughly 100 miles (160 km) from the original Woodstock site. The attendance was approximately 220,000 over four days. Griffiss Air Force Base (Rome, New York, U.S.)
Where is the most famous concert hall? ›New York City: Carnegie Hall
America's most famous concert hall officially opened in 1891 with a concert conducted in part by Tchaikovsky.
Where is the biggest concert arena? ›
With a capacity of 55,000, Philippine Arena in Bulacan, Philippines, is the world's largest indoor arena.
Who is the fastest selling artist of all time? ›Top-selling artists worldwide as of 2022. Perhaps unsurprisingly, British rock band The Beatles are top of the list for best-selling artists worldwide, with 183 million units certified sales. Second is Garth Brooks with over 157 million units sales, followed by Elvis Presley with 139 million units.
What was the shortest concert? ›The White Stripes made history on July 16th in 2007 when they played the shortest live set of all time. Playing just a single note before leaving the stage the group delivered a record-breaking performance, one which is, undoubtedly, the achievement that the seminal group will be most proud of from their iconic career.
Who sold most concert tickets in 2000? ›While Turner took home the most cash from her tour, 'N Sync actually sold more tickets than any other act, with 1.65 million sold.
Who is the best live performer of all time? ›Any list of the greatest live performers in music today rightfully begins with the legends — the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2, Neil Young, and my vote for the greatest live performer of all time, Bruce Springsteen.
Who is the most recognizable singer in the world? ›| Popularity ranking | Artist | Tour dates |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Drake | 5 concerts |
| 02 | Rihanna | 0 concerts |
| 03 | Coldplay | 52 concerts |
| 04 | Eminem | 0 concerts |
Who knew that was even a thing? The Shaft Bottom Boys played for nearly an hour more than 6,000 feet below sea level. The venue was the Creighton Mine in Sudbury, Ontario, a community with a deep history in mining.
Who is the loudest rock band ever? ›Deep Purple Concert – 117 dB
This 70s hard rock quintet can really blow the roof off a venue with its chunky guitar riffs and thunderous drum beats. At one point, it was recognized as the loudest band of all time by the Guinness Book of World Records after playing a famously noisy show at the Rainbow Theater in London.
In 1972, The Guinness Book Of Records crowned Deep Purple the world's loudest band after 117 decibels were registered at London's Rainbow Theatre. Drummer Ian Paice said: “Rock'n'roll went to a different level. The volume leapt up incredibly.”
What was the loudest sound ever heard by humans? ›The Krakatoa volcanic eruption: Not only did it cause serious damage to the island, the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 created the loudest sound ever reported at 180 dB. It was so loud it was heard 3,000 miles (5,000 km) away.
Who was the first big hit? ›
Their first single as the Who, "I Can't Explain" (1965), reached the UK top ten, and was followed by a string of hit singles including "My Generation" (1965), "Substitute" (1966) and "Happy Jack" (1966).
Who had the first big band? ›One of the first popular big bands was the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, a New York-based band that employed musicians like trumpeter Louis Armstrong as well as saxophonists Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins.
When was America's deadliest concert? ›Overview. On February 20, 2003, the deadliest rock concert in U.S. history took place at a roadhouse called The Station in West Warwick, Rhode Island. That night, in the few minutes it takes to play a hard-rock standard, the fate of many of the unsuspecting nightclub patrons was determined with awful certainty.
What song has made the most money ever? ›According to Guinness World Records, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" (1942) as performed by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single worldwide, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies.
Who is the highest paid female singer? ›Taylor Swift is the highest-paid female entertainer in the world, earning a cool $92 million in 2022 following the success of her 10th studio album “Midnights,” according to a new report from Forbes.
What female singer has the most number one hits? ›Mariah Carey (USA) has topped the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on 19 different occasions.
Which singer has sold the most tickets? ›| Rank | Artists | Tickets sold |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Rolling Stones | 28 million |
| 2 | U2 | 28.3 million |
| 3 | Elton John | 19.9 million |
| 4 | Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band | — |
...
Speak Yourself extension.
| Box office | $116 million |
| BTS concert chronology | |
|---|---|
Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, Pyongyang
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, also known as the Rungrado May Day Stadium, is the largest stadium in the world. It can officially accommodate 150,000 spectators.
They've also both swept up a vast number of awards, BTS with a staggering 407, The Beatles with 12, bearing in mind a lot more award shows exist now compared to when The Beatles were active. In 2019, BTS became the first group since The Beatles to earn three No.
How many tickets did BTS sell in one day? ›
BTS Makes History By Earning $33.3 Million And Selling Over 200,000 Tickets During 4-Day LA Concert.
What is the biggest venue in the US? ›| Stadium | capacity | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Narendra Modi Stadium | 132,000 |
| 2 | Rungrado May Day Stadium | 114,000 |
| 3 | Michigan Stadium | 107,601 |
| 4 | Beaver Stadium | 106,572 |