Concert tours have always been monumental events in the music industry that show the star power of artists. Women, in particular, have headlined some of the most successful tours in history. Here’s a look at some of the highest-selling concert tours led by women.
Taylor Swift’s (The Eras Tour)
One of the most talked-about tours recently has been Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour.” This tour began in 2023 and continued into 2024. With 60 shows, it is recorded to have amassed a total gross of $2,539,263,762. Some media outlets have dubbed it the “greatest hits” tour of an artist still at the peak of her commercial success.
Beyoncé (Renaissance World Tour)
Another artist who has made waves with her tours is Beyoncé. Her “Renaissance World Tour” in 2023 was one event that drew attention. Beyoncé is known for putting on shows with complex dance routines, and this tour was no exception. The Renaissance tour raked in $579 million across 56 shows.
Tina Turner (Twenty Four Seven Tour)
While some recent tours have received considerable attention, it’s worth noting that women have been putting on successful tours for many years. Tina Turner’s $122.5 million “Twenty Four Seven Tour” in 2000 was very successful and is still remembered today. Reports say the tour saw 2.4 million spectators from 108 shows.
Cher (Living Proof: The Farewell Tour)
Cher’s “Living Proof: The Farewell Tour” from 2002 to 2005 is a classic example of women dominating the live tour business. The tour had 325 shows and earned he a Guinness world record for “Highest Grossing Tour by a Female Artist” at the time, with over $200 million in revenue.
Madonna (Sticky & Sweet Tour)
Often called the Queen of Pop, she went on her “Sticky & Sweet Tour” from 2008 to 2009. This tour supported her album “Hard Candy” and was very successful. Madonna performed both new songs and old favorites in 85 shows and even became the highest-grossing tour by a solo artist in 2008.
Pink (Beautiful Trauma World Tour)
In 2018, Pink took her “Beautiful Trauma World Tour” worldwide. Pink is known for acrobatic moves during her concerts, often singing while suspended. Her March 2018 tour ran through November 2019 and was named the “highest-grossing tour by a female artist” in the 2010s, making over $397 million.
Celine Dion’s (Taking Chances World Tour)
Celine Dion’s “Taking Chances World Tour,” from 2008 to 2009, made $279.2 million. Famous for her powerful voice, Celine performed in 131 shows across five continents during this tour. Dion and her band rehearsed around 60 tracks in both English and French, with about 27 songs selected for live performances, tailored to each market they visited.
Lady Gaga’s (The Monster Ball)
The Monster Ball tour by Lady Gaga took place between 2009 and 2011. This tour was meant to happen earlier but was delayed due to global events. When it finally took place, 2.5 million fans showed up to see Gaga across a reported over 200 shows, and tickets were in high demand.
The Spice Girls (Spice World Tour)
Popular in the 1990s, they came back together for their “Spice World Tour” in 2019. While not all members of the original group took part, the tour remained a big hit with fans who remembered their music from years ago. It grossed over $78 million from ticket sales alone.
Barbra Streisand (Timeless Tour)
Talk about a $70 million concert tour: Barbra Streisand’s “Timeless Tour.” Known for her powerful voice, Barbra’s Timeless Tour ran from 1999 to 2000. Even though this tour didn’t have many shows, it can still be regarded as successful. Streisand’s fans were eager to see her perform live.
Ariana Grande (Sweetener World Tour)
In 2019, Ariana Grande took her “Sweetener World Tour” to many countries. Grande’s shows were praised for her strong singing and the emotional connection she made with her audience. This tour supported two of her albums and saw an audience of 1.3 million fans in 97 shows.
Janet Jackson (State of the World Tour)
Janet Jackson returned to touring in 2017 with her “State of the World Tour.” She performed songs from all through her long career. Her shows combined entertaining performances with messages about social issues and grossed over $44 million at the box office.
Shakira (El Dorado World Tour)
Shakira’s “El Dorado World Tour” in 2018 brought her energetic performances to fans around the world. The tour spanned four continents and featured 54 shows. An estimated $75 million was reported to have been made from electrifying performances by Shakira.
Britney Spears (The Circus Starring Britney Spears)
“The Circus Starring Britney Spears” tour, performed by the talented Britney Spears in 2009, was a significant event in pop music. Elaborate dance routines were featured, with 1.4 million fans in attendance. This tour recorded over $131 million (over $187 million in 2023 dollars) in revenue.
