Rolling Stones, Harry Styles Were Top-Grossing Tours Of 2021

Topline

After a year off because of the coronavirus pandemic, live music returned in 2021, and acts like The Rolling Stones and Harry Styles were leaders in bringing fans out into stadium seats—here are the most popular, and most profitable, tours of the year.

Harry Styles performs onstage during the tour opener for Love On Tour at MGM Grand Garden Arena on … [+] September 04, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

via Getty Images

Key Facts

According to data from Pollstar, the Rolling Stones had the highest-grossing tour of the year, earning over $115 million and selling over 516,000 tickets for 12 shows across 11 cities, charging an average of roughly $223 per ticket.

Harry Styles’ show “Love On Tour” was the most popular concert of the year and the second highest-grossing, selling over 669,000 tickets and earning nearly $87 million for 39 shows across 30 cities, charging an average of roughly $129 per ticket.

Surprising Fact

Despite the fallout from Dave Chappelle’s Netflix special, which many criticized as being transphobic, his tour grossed $22 million, more than any other comedian this year.

Big Number

$330.73. That’s how much the average ticket cost for Bruno Mars’ tour, the highest of any act this year.

Lists

Highest-grossing tours:

The Rolling Stones — $115.5 million
Harry Styles — $86.7 million
Weezer, Fall Out Boy and Green Day — $67.3 million
Eagles “Hotel California Tour” —$59.2 million
Dead & Company — $50.2 million
Lou Bukis — $49.7 million
Guns N’ Roses — $47.3 million
Dave Matthews Band — $46 million
Phish — $44.4 million
Jonas Brothers — $42.5 million

Key Background

The Rolling Stones’ drummer Charlie Watts was noticeably absent from the stage this year—he was replaced on the tour in order to receive a medical procedure before he died in August. Last year’s highest-grossing tour was Elton John, which earned $87 million, according to Pollstar. The year’s most-popular show was the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which sold over 885,000 tickets. More than 83 million attendees’ plans to go to shows, sporting events or conferences were affected last year when lockdowns were put in place to curb the spread of the virus.