Despite Tough Times, U.S. Tour Biz Up Slightly In 2001

Lucrative arena tours and an 11% increase in the number of shows reported helped the U.S. concert business weather difficult times and post more than $1.5 billion in box-office revenues, up 2.4% from 2000. The figures are based on reports to Billboard and sister publication Amusement Business. International revenues were up 3% to $1.8 billion.

On a show-by-show comparison, the news is less positive. Average gross per show in the U.S. was $190,000, down 8.3% from 2000. Per-show attendance fell 10% to 4,834. The likely culprit in these downturns is a convergence of high ticket prices and high touring volume, which forced consumers to be selective in light of uncertain economic times.

There is no question that the industry was affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Many dates were cancelled and never rescheduled, and a bevy of European runs, including outings by Dave Matthews Band and Janet Jackson, were scrapped.

Surprising no one, Clear Channel Entertainment (CCE) continued its reign as king of the concert world. With total reported revenues of more than $1 billion worldwide ($979 million in the U.S.), CCE-promoted shows accounted for 66.4% of the U.S. concert industry and 63.5% of all numbers reported worldwide. CCE reported almost 5,000 shows, nearly double the 2,724 concerts it reported last year.

While CCE's numbers were up in virtually every category, most other promoters saw declines in 2001, particularly in terms of gross revenue. House of Blues (HOB) Concerts, a distant but highly active second to CCE, saw overall numbers decrease from $194 million to $173 million; of that, solo promotions accounted for $116 million, down from $154 million last year. HOB Concerts reported involvement in 1,219 shows.

Chicago-based Jam Productions saw its numbers for co-promotes drop from $61 million to $52 million, with solo promotions down from $34.7 million to $28.3 million. Jam reported 429 shows. Southern California-based Nederlander did well, notching an increase in business to $60.5 million from $56 million, with $12.3 million coming from solo promotions.

New York/New Jersey promoter Metropolitan Entertainment saw reported revenues drop from $61 million to $52 million for all promotions and from $34.7 million to $28.3 million for solo promotions. Concerts West acquired SoCal promoter Goldenvoice; the companies' combined grosses reported for the year were about $39 million.