Billboard reports that while the rest of the industry is in shambles, the concert business is far from the downer many clamored for. Attendance and box office revenues were up significantly globally, and managed to hold flat in North America:
Worldwide, a record $4.4 billion in box office revenues were reported to Boxscore, an 11.7% increase over last year and the second consecutive year of double-digit growth. Attendance of 73 million represents a 12.6% increase over 2008, an important trend for a sector of the business that is now considered the most important for the majority of artists.
For North America, the news isn’t as positive, but still far from the downer many forecasted. The $2.8 billion in box office is down 2% and the 50 million in paid attendance is down less 1.7%, but these numbers were generated from a 9% decrease in the number of shows reported.
A more positive indicator is a show-by-show analysis of the year. Worldwide, average gross and attendance per show are up 11.3% and 11.8%, respectively. In North America, average per-show gross and attendance are up 7.6% and 8%, respectively.
Meanwhile, it look’s like Live Nation’s bargain pricing antics worked, as the promoter reported a 25% increase in gross and a 19% increase in attendance while putting on 1.6% less shows.
So things aren’t great, but far from disastrous. Great success!(?)
