NEAR TRUTHS: A TOUR OF '24 (PART THREE)

TOUR DE FORCE: The live sector had an excellent year, though top players in the space note that the latter half of 2024 has seen a return to what’s being described as a “more normal” marketplace and that the outlook for 2025 more closely resembles pre-pandemic stability than the euphoric highs of the post-COVID comeback. The latter glow was surprisingly sustained, but most agree that what we’re seeing now is more plateau than peak. Grosses are coming back to earth after several years of meteoric rises.

Though the biggest stadium acts continue to perform well, softness is detectable in some parts of this crowded tier, especially for artists who’ve newly switched from arenas to stadiums and/or have been touring constantly since venues reopened. As the stadium experience lacks the intimacy of an arena show, fans are being a bit more selective about springing for those tix.

Nonetheless, global growth is expected to continue. A touring boom here and in Latin America is the big story in the Latin-music world, despite reduced prominence on the streaming charts for these acts compared to preceding years. Michael Rapino’s Live Nation, Jay Marciano’s AEG and the other usual suspects are still compiling their box-office numbers, but there's no doubt that 2024’s smashing receipts owe much to massive tours by Travis Scott, Morgan Wallen, CAA-repped Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, Madonna, UTA's Bad Bunny, Zach Bryan, Olivia Rodrigo and Ed Sheeran—plus Jonathan Dickins-managed, WME-booked Adele's first-of-its-kind, purpose-built residency in Munich.

To wit, Live Nation had its most active summer concert season ever (144m tickets sold) and is looking at double-digit AOI growth. While we’re on the subject of residencies, the first year of Sphere has hugely expanded the possibilities for extended engagements thanks to the venue’s state-of-the-art sound and infinitely customizable but consistently eye-popping visuals. (L.A.’s 2024-inaugurated Intuit Dome, meanwhile, is a tech-forward venue for arena-level bands as well as the new home of the Clippers.)

And, of course, Taylor Swift's 21-month Eras Tour broke all manner of records, including $2b-plus at the box office and an astounding 10.1m total audience at 149 stadiums. More than 20 major 2025 tours will have a stadium component, including Oasis' hotly anticipated reunion for the first time in 16 years—improbably, the biggest North American shows of the band's career.

Likewise spending the warmer months in large outdoor venues are Kendrick Lamar with SZA, Dua Lipa, Stray Kids, Sheeran, Linkin Park, Shakira, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Bruce Springsteen, Robbie Williams, Lana Del Rey, Billy Joel, AC/DC, Green Day, Metallica, Zach Bryan, Post Malone and My Chemical Romance. As for arenas, those in the U.S. and Europe will be loaded with acts like Carpenter, Eilish, Tyler, the Creator, Gracie Abrams, Pearl Jam, Brandon Creed-managed Charli xcx, Ron Laffitte-repped USHER, Tate McRae and Kylie Minogue.

Wonderers are wondering about 2025 plans for The Weeknd, Lady Gaga and WME-repped Bruno Mars, who will all have new music out.

Finally, it’s interesting to note that EDM became a bigger draw than ever this year and will likely continue its expansion in 2025. Fred again.. and other top acts in the genre draw vast crowds and command huge guarantees. They’re also favorites on the festival circuit.