The Most Popular Concert, Ranked

Choose the concert you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:33
Picture a bustling city alive with the sound of music, where concert-goers rush to see their favorite performers light up the stage. Within this sea of musical showcases, it can be tough to decide which concert to attend. A clear, crowd-sourced ranking of concerts helps fans see which events are striking the right chord with audiences, ensuring they never miss out on a top-notch live performance. This dynamic ranking is shaped entirely by your votes, the fans who attend and breathe life into these concerts. By participating, you not only get to share your experiences but also guide others to the performances that truly stand out. Each vote brings clarity to the vibrant concert scene, helping everyone make an informed choice about where to spend their evening.

What Is the Most Popular Concert?

  1. 1
    25
    votes
    The Woodstock Music & Art Fair, held in August 1969, is considered one of the most iconic and influential concerts in history, featuring legendary performances by Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, and many others.
    Woodstock is a small town located in the Catskill Mountains of New York. It is widely known for its cultural significance and natural beauty, making it one of the most charming and idyllic destinations in the state. The town is characterized by its picturesque landscapes, historic architecture, and vibrant arts scene.
    • Population: Approximately 6,000 residents
    • Location: Situated in Ulster County, New York
    • Artistic Community: Known for attracting artists, musicians, and creative individuals
    • Woodstock Festival: Famous for hosting the legendary 1969 Woodstock Festival
    • Surrounding Nature: Nestled amidst scenic hills, forests, and streams
  2. 2
    34
    votes
    Live Aid
    Squelle · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Live Aid

    Bob Geldof
    The 1985 benefit concert, organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, raised over $127 million for famine relief in Africa and featured performances by Queen, U2, David Bowie, and more.
    Live Aid was a pioneering dual-venue concert held on July 13, 1985, in London, England, and Philadelphia, USA. The event aimed to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, specifically addressing the Ethiopian famine crisis that occurred from 1983 to 1985. With an estimated audience of 1.9 billion people across 150 countries, Live Aid is widely regarded as one of the most significant and iconic concerts in history.
    • Date: July 13, 1985
    • Venues: Wembley Stadium in London, England and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, USA
    • Audience: Approximately 1.9 billion people
    • Goal: Raising funds for Ethiopian famine relief
    • Artists: Over 75 artists and bands performed, including Queen, U2, David Bowie, Madonna, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Paul McCartney, and many more
  3. 3
    25
    votes
    The Beatles' August 1965 concert at Shea Stadium in New York City was one of the first massive stadium shows and set new standards for live music performance.
    The Beatles at Shea Stadium was a historic concert held on August 15, 1965, at Shea Stadium in New York City. It was the first-ever stadium concert and is considered one of the most iconic and influential performances in music history. The event drew a crowd of over 55,000 fans, breaking all previous records at the time.
    • Date: August 15, 1965
    • Venue: Shea Stadium, New York City
    • Attendance: Over 55,000
    • Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
    • Performers: The Beatles
  4. 4
    12
    votes
    The 1980-81 tour, featuring Pink Floyd's iconic album The Wall, was a groundbreaking multimedia experience that combined music, theater, and animation.
    Pink Floyd's The Wall Tour was a concert tour by the British rock band Pink Floyd. It was based on the band's eleventh studio album, The Wall, released in 1979. The tour took place in 1980 and 1981 and was renowned for its monumental stage setup and theatrical presentation.
    • Tour Dates: February 7, 1980 – June 17, 1981
    • Total Shows: 31
    • Touring Personnel: Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Richard Wright, and additional musicians
    • Stage Setup: Giant wall built progressively throughout the show
    • Setlist: Primarily focused on The Wall album with additional songs from Pink Floyd's discography
  5. 5
    17
    votes
    Queen's 1986 concert at Wembley Stadium in London, part of their Magic Tour, is considered one of the greatest live performances in rock history.
    Queen at Wembley Stadium was a historic rock concert held by the legendary British band Queen at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The concert took place on July 12, 1986, as part of their Magic Tour. It is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and memorable live performances in rock music history.
    • Date: July 12, 1986
    • Venue: Wembley Stadium
    • Location: London, England
    • Tour: Magic Tour
    • Attendance: Over 72,000 people
  6. 6
    4
    votes
    The 1989-90 tour, in support of the Stones' Steel Wheels album, was one of the highest-grossing tours in history and featured the band's classic hits as well as new material.
    The Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels Tour was a highly popular concert tour by the iconic rock band The Rolling Stones. It took place from August 1989 to August 1990 and was in support of their album 'Steel Wheels'. The tour marked a significant comeback for the band after a seven-year hiatus from large-scale touring.
    • Tour duration: August 1989 - August 1990
    • Album supported: 'Steel Wheels'
    • Hiatus duration: 7 years
    • Number of concerts: 115
    • Total attendance: over 6.3 million
  7. 7
    8
    votes

    Michael Jackson's Bad Tour

    Michael Jackson
    The 1987-89 tour, in support of Jackson's Bad album, was a massive spectacle featuring elaborate stage sets, choreography, and pyrotechnics.
    The Michael Jackson's Bad Tour was a highly acclaimed concert tour by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. It was launched in support of his seventh studio album, Bad, released in 1987. The tour spanned from September 12, 1987, to January 27, 1989, with shows in 15 countries. It was Jackson's first solo tour as a solo artist and showcased his incredible talent, energetic performances, and groundbreaking stage production.
    • Tour Dates: September 12, 1987, to January 27, 1989
    • Number of Shows: 123
    • Countries Visited: 15
    • Album Supported: Bad
    • Tour Gross: Over $125 million
  8. 8
    4
    votes
    The 2009-11 tour, in support of U2's No Line on the Horizon album, featured a massive 360-degree "claw" stage and set new records for attendance and revenue.
    The U2's 360° Tour was a highly successful concert tour by the Irish rock band U2, which took place from 2009 to 2011. It was named after the unique stage design that allowed for a 360-degree view for the audience, allowing them to experience the show from all angles. The tour featured spectacular visuals, massive video screens, and a highly immersive audio experience. It is considered one of the most popular and highest-grossing concert tours of all time.
    • Years: 2009-2011
    • Stage Design: 360-degree layout
    • Visuals: Spectacular and immersive
    • Video Screens: Massive
    • Audio Experience: Highly immersive
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    The 2008-10 tour, in support of AC/DC's Black Ice album, was one of the most successful tours of all time, grossing over $441 million worldwide.
    AC/DC's Black Ice World Tour was a concert tour by Australian rock band AC/DC in support of their fifteenth studio album, Black Ice. The tour was one of the most popular concert tours of all time, attracting millions of fans worldwide.
    • Tour duration: 2008-2010
    • Number of shows: 168
    • Total attendance: 5.1 million
    • Highest-attended show: 7 June 2009 at River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Gross revenue: $441 million
  10. 10
    8
    votes
    The 2009-11 tour, in support of Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster album, was a massive theatrical production that cemented Gaga's status as a pop icon.
    Lady Gaga's The Monster Ball Tour was a highly successful concert tour by American singer Lady Gaga. It began on November 27, 2009, and ended on May 6, 2011. The tour was in support of her debut album 'The Fame Monster' and included various extravagant stage setups, choreography, and costume changes. Lady Gaga's unique style and energetic performances made The Monster Ball Tour one of the most popular concerts of that time.
    • Tour duration: November 27, 2009 - May 6, 2011
    • Album supported: The Fame Monster
    • Stage setups: Various extravagant setups
    • Choreography: Energetic and elaborate dance routines
    • Costume changes: Multiple outfit changes throughout the show

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Ranking factors for popular concert

  1. Ticket sales
    The number of tickets sold for the concert is a crucial indicator of its popularity. High ticket sales usually indicate a strong demand from fans and a well-liked artist or band.
  2. Venue capacity and attendance
    The size and capacity of the concert venue, as well as the actual attendance, can also be important factors. A sold-out concert in a large venue signifies greater popularity than a concert with poor attendance in a small venue.
  3. Artist/band popularity
    The artist or band performing at the concert plays a significant role in its popularity. Well-known and highly respected artists tend to attract larger audiences and generate more hype around their concerts.
  4. Social media engagement
    The amount of interaction and discussion about the concert on social media platforms can be a good indicator of popularity. This includes factors like the number of likes, shares, comments, and event RSVPs.
  5. Critical reception
    The reviews and ratings given by critics and publications to a concert can also impact its overall popularity.
  6. Media coverage
    The amount of media coverage surrounding the concert, including previews, live broadcasts, interviews, and post-concert reports, can contribute to its popularity.
  7. Tour success
    If the concert is part of a larger tour, the overall success and popularity of the tour can be reflective of the popularity of individual concerts.
  8. Fan response
    The reaction and satisfaction of fans who attended the concert can also be a driving factor in its popularity. Positive word-of-mouth and long-lasting memories can contribute to the perception of a concert's success.
  9. Awards and recognition
    Concerts that receive awards or honors, such as "Concert of the Year" or "Best Live Performance," can gain increased popularity as a result.
  10. Historical significance
    Some concerts become popular due to their historical or cultural significance, such as a landmark performance, a reunion of a legendary group, or the final concert of an iconic artist.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular concert. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or concert is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1580 views
  • 142 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each concert once every 24 hours. The rank of each concert is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular concert

Concerts have been a popular form of entertainment for decades, bringing together music lovers from all walks of life. From rock to pop to classical, there's a concert for everyone. But with so many options, which concert is the most popular? It's a tough question to answer, as popularity can be measured in different ways - ticket sales, social media buzz, critical acclaim, or simply the number of fans who attend. Nonetheless, we've gathered data from our polls and rankings to come up with a list of the most popular concerts of all time. Whether you're a diehard fan or just curious, read on to discover which concerts have stood the test of time and continue to draw crowds today.

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