U2 360 Boxscore Discussion Part II

[U2FanPeter]

These are Iron Maiden boxscores from countries U2 have never visited. I guess we can assume that U2 would beat them in all markets:

U2 would need to figure out a way to get a stadium or arena stage into those markets affordably. Stones Bigger Bang scaled down it's stadium stage to hit some far corners fo the globe. I still think some MJ did numbers in untapped international markets u2 can't approach.

Shocked to see Maiden doing recent shows for under 7,000 that weren't sold out.

 

[spookyz]

U2 would need to figure out a way to get a stadium or arena stage into those markets affordably. Stones Bigger Bang scaled down it's stadium stage to hit some far corners fo the globe. I still think some MJ did numbers in untapped international markets u2 can't approach.

Shocked to see Maiden doing recent shows for under 7,000 that weren't sold out.

U2 have played 37 countries in their career. I still can see that number rise to 50+ if they want.

They could do massive stadium shows in Estonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania. AC/DC, Madonna and the Stones have done so, I can't see why U2 couldn't. Then there's Peru und maybe Colombia. Not sure about Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia. I'm pretty sure they could draw stadium crowds there but I doubt they could be able to cover the costs for taking a U2 outdoor stage in these markets.

Then of course, there are also some arena markets for U2. In Europe they can still play arenas in Luxemburg, Latvia and even Iceland. In Asia they could easily do arenas in UAE, South Korea, Indonesia and Singapore, maybe even stadiums in the major cities of India. A lot of other artists have done so.

They could also try to do stadium shows in Egypt, Tunisia and Marocco in a future European leg if they have a cheaper production than the 360 stage. Crowds of 30,000+ might be realistic.

I agree that U2 probably couldn't do stadium shows in Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and the Phillippines. But then I think Bon Jovi did in 1995 and they have never been as popular as U2, so maybe they could give it a try by using a cheap and simple outdoor stage.

 

[U2FanPeter]

I agree that U2 probably couldn't do stadium shows in Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and the Phillippines. But then I think Bon Jovi did in 1995 and they have never been as popular as U2, so maybe they could give it a try by using a cheap and simple outdoor stage.

Glastonbury was solid proof U2 can pull off a stadium sized show with a more "skeleton" set of production.

It does blow me away that Beatles and Zeppelin played countries(3) that U2 have yet to visit as a group.

 

[CosmoKramer]

Glastonbury was solid proof U2 can pull off a stadium sized show with a more "skeleton" set of production.

It does blow me away that Beatles and Zeppelin played countries(3) that U2 have yet to visit as a group.

I think if/when U2 do a "fairwell" tour or they themselves know it's their last big tour, they will hit markets they have never been to before. This tour they hit Russia, which I thought they would never play.

 

[AndrewCowley]

They also mentioned that one fan went to 53 shows, yet someone on this board went to 88.

88. Holy crap. Is that true? Were they all GA's? Lol.

 

[Maoilbheannacht]

I still think some MJ did numbers in untapped international markets u2 can't approach.

Well, we can't really say that since it has not happened. Plus, even if that is the case, so what?

Glastonbury was solid proof U2 can pull off a stadium sized show with a more "skeleton" set of production.

Ever here of the Joshua Tree Tour?

It does blow me away that Beatles and Zeppelin played countries(3) that U2 have yet to visit as a group.

Just think about all the places that U2 have played that the Beatles and Zeppelin never did.

In terms of being blown away by concert tours, no one can top this:

U2 360 TOUR: TOTAL STATS TO DATE

GROSS: $736,421,584 (RECORD)
ATTENDANCE: 7,272,046 (RECORD)
Average Gross: $6,694,742 (RECORD)
Average Attendance: 66,110 (RECORD)
Average Ticket Price: $101.27
Shows: 110
Sellouts: 110

 

[Maoilbheannacht]

What about the New Meadowlands attendance? That must be a record!

It is for a single night. But when it comes to records, Billboard considers multiple nights at the same venue for both attendance and gross records.

 

[U2FanPeter]

Ever here of the Joshua Tree Tour?

Just think about all the places that U2 have played that the Beatles and Zeppelin never did.

U2 couldn't even make South America work on the Joshua Tree. Bowie/Tina/Macca/Sinatra/Queen played shows on the continent around that time. The JT tour may have been minimal in "showiness" it still had lots of scaffolding.

Including McCartney/Plant solo shows I challenge you to name one region U2 has played they haven't. Plant's even played middle eastern shows.

 

[spookyz]

Plant hasn't played Bosnia, Israel, South Africa

McCartney hasn't played Bosnia, South Africa, Poland, Greece, Turkey, Northern Ireland.

 

[Maoilbheannacht]

U2 couldn't even make South America work on the Joshua Tree.

Uh, U2 did not play South America until POPMART. They made no attempt to play South America on the Joshua Tree tour. So to say that they couldn't make it work is inaccurate.

Finally, if you want to know who owns South America, just look at 360's gross down there.

The JT tour may have been minimal in "showiness" it still had lots of scaffolding.

Most stadium shows that have proper lighting and sound do.

Including McCartney/Plant solo shows I challenge you to name one region U2 has played they haven't. Plant's even played middle eastern shows.

So? Who Cares? There are bands that have played North Platte Nebraska, but McCartney and Plant have never been there.

The only thing that is relevant is that McCartney and Plant can't do the following:

U2 360 TOUR: TOTAL STATS TO DATE

GROSS: $736,421,584 (RECORD)
ATTENDANCE: 7,272,046 (RECORD)
Average Gross: $6,694,742 (RECORD)
Average Attendance: 66,110 (RECORD)
Average Ticket Price: $101.27
Shows: 110
Sellouts: 110

Only a handful of artist can do 1/3 of what U2 did on this tour.

 

[U2FanPeter]

Uh, U2 did not play South America until POPMART. They made no attempt to play South America on the Joshua Tree tour. So to say that they couldn't make it work is inaccurate.

The stadium show shot R&H was originally planned to have happened in Buenos Aires.

 

[U2FanPeter]

Plant hasn't played Bosnia, Israel, South Africa

McCartney hasn't played Bosnia, South Africa, Poland, Greece, Turkey, Northern Ireland.

Plant played SPLIT Croatia which is close to the Bosnian border plus several other eastern European regions.

McCartney played Belfast November 8th 1963.

 

[The_acrobat]

It's true, the Joshua Tree tour was supposed to finish on Dec 20 & 21 in Buenos Aires, where the stadium shows were supposed to be filmed.

 

[Maoilbheannacht]

The stadium show shot R&H was originally planned to have happened in Buenos Aires.

Source?

I think the Sun Devil Stadium show was planned in the summer of 1987. By September, 1987, MTV was advertising their fan contest to win a free trip to see the last show in Arizona.

Also, on July 4, 1987 when U2 played Paris, McGuinness and the Edge were interviewed before the show. McGuinness talked about the success of the tour to that point, the fact that the Joshua Tree had sold 7 million copies already at that point and the Island Records anniversy. McGuinness discussed the rest of the tour at that point. He said they planned to play stadiums through out North America in the fall and then the tour would wrap up with shows in Australia and Japan in January and February 1988.

No mention of South America at all and that was July 4, 1987.

Another interesting fact is that in Brazil, the first U2 album ever released for sale there was the Unforgettable Fire which had an early 1985 release date. So prior to 1985 you couldn't even buy a U2 album in Brazil unless you some how got it as an import. Not sure was the situation was for Argentina, but it may have been similar to Brazil.

 

[Maoilbheannacht]

It's true, the Joshua Tree tour was supposed to finish on Dec 20 & 21 in Buenos Aires, where the stadium shows were supposed to be filmed.

Source?

 

[U2FanPeter]

Source?

I think the Sun Devil Stadium show was planned in the summer of 1987. By September, 1987, MTV was advertising their fan contest to win a free trip to see the last show in Arizona.

Also, on July 4, 1987 when U2 played Paris, McGuinness and the Edge were interviewed before the show. McGuinness talked about the success of the tour to that point, the fact that the Joshua Tree had sold 7 million copies already at that point and the Island Records anniversy. McGuinness discussed the rest of the tour at that point. He said they planned to play stadiums through out North America in the fall and then the tour would wrap up with shows in Australia and Japan in January and February 1988.

No mention of South America at all and that was July 4, 1987.

Another interesting fact is that in Brazil, the first U2 album ever released for sale there was the Unforgettable Fire which had an early 1985 release date. So prior to 1985 you couldn't even buy a U2 album in Brazil unless you some how got it as an import. Not sure was the situation was for Argentina, but it may have been similar to Brazil.

I think it was a McGuiness interview. Possibly in the U2SHOW book.

I just went to the U2ticketstub website and for that fall 1987 tour I can't see any onsale dates more than roughly 5 weeks before the show. It's in the code on the bottom right hand corner of ticketmaster stubs.
U2 Ticket Stubs - Trade - Buy - Sell - Barter - Exchange
U2 Ticket Stubs - Trade - Buy - Sell - Barter - Exchange

Saying MTV was giving passes away 2 months before the likely public onsale for the Tempe stadiums may be a tenuous claim.

 

[U2FanPeter]

Source?

Wiki entry for R&H has the 2008 "U2: A Diary" book by Matt McGee as the source on Buenos Aires 1987.

Also in Pimm's concert chronology book

 

[Maoilbheannacht]

I think it was a McGuiness interview. Possibly in the U2SHOW book.

I just went to the U2ticketstub website and for that fall 1987 tour I can't see any onsale dates more than roughly 5 weeks before the show. It's in the code on the bottom right hand corner of ticketmaster stubs.
U2 Ticket Stubs - Trade - Buy - Sell - Barter - Exchange
U2 Ticket Stubs - Trade - Buy - Sell - Barter - Exchange

.

LOL, thats irrelevant. 1. It does not prove when the initial on sale date was.
2. The announcement of the show as well as planning for it can come well before the actual public on sale date.

Saying MTV was giving passes away 2 months before the likely public onsale for the Tempe stadiums may be a tenuous claim

Its NOT MTV giving away passes. IT WAS A CONTEST with only one winner! MTV advertised it nearly every day during the fall. The winner of the contest would have their group of friends flown to the show in Arizona from their home with tickets to see the show. I may actually have recorded the commercial but I'll have to look.

Pimm seems to be the original source of this information about Argentina. Where he got it though is unknown. So again, when McGuinness was interviewed on July 4, 1987 about U2's plans for the rest of the tour, Argentina was not brought up at all. By fall, you have U2 confirming that the final show of the American leg would be in Arizona.

Based on this, its possible, but I would say unlikely that U2 ever planned to play Argentina in December 1987.

 

[fedeu2]

LOL, thats irrelevant. 1. It does not prove when the initial on sale date was.
2. The announcement of the show as well as planning for it can come well before the actual public on sale date.



Its NOT MTV giving away passes. IT WAS A CONTEST with only one winner! MTV advertised it nearly every day during the fall. The winner of the contest would have their group of friends flown to the show in Arizona from their home with tickets to see the show. I may actually have recorded the commercial but I'll have to look.

Pimm seems to be the original source of this information about Argentina. Where he got it though is unknown. So again, when McGuinness was interviewed on July 4, 1987 about U2's plans for the rest of the tour, Argentina was not brought up at all. By fall, you have U2 confirming that the final show of the American leg would be in Arizona.

Based on this, its possible, but I would say unlikely that U2 ever planned to play Argentina in December 1987.

Back in 1987 I remember this argentinian promoter, Daniel Grinbank, stating that he was negotiating the first visit of U2 to Argentina and he even mentioned a december date for the concerts. Obviously, the negotiations didn´t succeed but based on this and other info provided by others here I would say that at some point U2 did plan to visit Argentina as part of the JT tour.

 

[Dragonfave]

Top 20 Concert Tours from Pollstar

The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America.

1. (1) U2; $7,427,630; $91.67.

2. (2) Taylor Swift; $2,035,634; $73.47.

3. (3) Kenny Chesney; $1,621,106; $71.29.

4. (4) Bon Jovi; $1,465,605; $91.21.

5. (5) "Glee Live! In Concert!"; $1,427,019; $82.25.

 

[spookyz]

Interesting...


Barcelona

U2
June 30, July 2, 2009
Barcelona, Spain
Camp Nou
GROSS: $19,825,497 (RECORD)
ATTENDANCE: 182,055 (RECORD)
SHOWS: 2
SELLOUTS: 2
Average Ticket Price: $108.90

Bon Jovi
Estadio Olimpico
Barcelona, Spain
July 27, 2011
$3,021,325
39,992 /
39,992
1 /
1
$387.32, $133.80, $105.63, $28.17
Doctor Music/AEG Live

San Sebastian

U2
September 26, 2010
San Sebastián Spain
Estadio de Anoeta
GROSS: $4,956,464
ATTENDANCE: 47,721
SHOWS: 1
SELLOUTS: 1
Average Ticket Price: $103.86

Bon Jovi
Estadio de Anoeta
San Sebastian, Spain
July 29, 2011
$2,806,226
34,798 /
34,798
1 /
1
$387.32, $133.80, $105.63, $28.17
Doctor Music/AEG Live


Munich

U2
September 15, 2010
Munich Germany
Olympiastadion
GROSS: $7,624,367
ATTENDANCE: 76,150
SHOWS: 1
SELLOUTS: 1
Average Ticket Price: $100.12

Bon Jovi
Olympiastadion
Munich, Germany
June 12, 2011
$5,450,997
68,025 /
68,025
1 /
1
$414.63, $196.77, $80.11, $64.65
United Promoters AG/AEG Live


Paris

U2
July 11-12, 2009
Paris, France
Stade De France
GROSS: $20,902,760 (RECORD)
ATTENDANCE: 186,544 (RECORD)
SHOWS: 2
SELLOUTS: 2
Average Ticket Price: $112.05

U2
September 18, 2010
Paris France
Stade de France
GROSS: $10,175,248
ATTENDANCE: 96,540
SHOWS: 1
SELLOUTS: 1
Average Ticket Price: $105.40

Bon Jovi
Palais Omnisports Bercy
Paris, France
16-Jun-10
$1,395,370
15,906 /
15,906
1 /
1
$150.60, $102.41, $78.31, $39.10
Concerts West/AEG Live


Vienna

U2
August 30, 2010
Vienna Austria
Ernst-Happel-Stadion
GROSS: $6,866,065
ATTENDANCE: 69,253
SHOWS: 1
SELLOUTS: 1
Average Ticket Price: $99.15

Bon Jovi
Ernst Happel Stadion
Vienna, Austria
July 22, 2011
$4,950,762
56,280 /
56,280
1 /
1
$309.86, $267.61, $121.13, $69.01
Novamusic/Showconnection/AEG Live

Zurich

U2
September 11-12, 2010
Zurich Switzerland
Letzigrund Stadium
GROSS: $9,152,209
ATTENDANCE: 90,349
SHOWS: 2
SELLOUTS: 2
Average Ticket Price: $101.30

Bon Jovi
Stadion Letzigrund
Zurich, Switzerland
July 14, 2011
$5,324,955
37,125 /
37,125
1 /
1
$258.96, $219.78, $153.85, $57.25
Good News Productions AG/AEG Live

Horsens
U2
August 15-16, 2010
Horsens Denmark
CASA Arena Horsens
GROSS: $7,809,611
ATTENDANCE: 69,886
SHOWS: 2
SELLOUTS: 2
Average Ticket Price: $111.75

Bon Jovi
CASA Arena Horsens
Horsens, Denmark
June 19, 2011
$3,044,795
30,803 /
30,803
1 /
1
$469.11, $130.67, $111.87, $93.07
Horsens and Friends/AEG Live

Helsinki

U2
Helsinki Finland
Olympic Stadium
GROSS: $10,642,517
ATTENDANCE: 106,360
SHOWS: 2
SELLOUTS: 2
Average Ticket Price: $100.06

Bon Jovi
Olympiastadion
Helsinki, Finland
June 17, 2011
$4,863,623
45,219 /
45,219
1 /
1
$497.91, $208.04, $123.44, $95.70
Live Nation/AEG Live

Dublin

U2
Dublin, Ireland
Croke Park
GROSS: $28,815,352 (RECORD)
ATTENDANCE: 243,198
SHOWS: 3
SELLOUTS: 3
Average Ticket Price: $118.49

Bon Jovi
RDS Arena
Dublin, Ireland
June 29-30, 2011
$6,496,433
68,144 /
68,144
2 /
2
$351.58, $140.63, $119.54, $84.38
Aiken Promotions/AEG Live

Istanbul

U2
September 6, 2010
Istanbul Turkey
Atatürk Olympic Stadium
GROSS: $3,775,662
ATTENDANCE: 54,278
SHOWS: 1
SELLOUTS: 1
Average Ticket Price: $69.56

Bon Jovi
Turk Telekom Arena
Istanbul, Turkey
July 8, 2011
$2,775,566
35,723 /
35,723
1 /
1
$341.94, $164.52, $72.90, $52.26
Puco Concerts Organizasyon/European Concert Agency/AEG Live

Athens

U2
September 3, 2010
Athens Greece
Olympic Stadium
GROSS: $7,321,356
ATTENDANCE: 82,662
SHOWS: 1
SELLOUTS: 1
Average Ticket Price: $88.57

Bon Jovi
Olympic Stadium
Athens, Greece
July 20, 2011
$6,594,404
60,652 /
60,652
1 /
1
$486.11, $347.22, $208.33, $69.44
Eleven Concerts/AEG Live

Zagreb

U2
August 9-10, 2009
Zagreb, Croatia
Maksimir Stadium
GROSS: $12,700,784 (RECORD)
ATTENDANCE: 124,012 (RECORD)
SHOWS: 2
SELLOUTS: 2
Average Ticket Price: $102.42

Bon Jovi
Stadion Maksimir
Zagreb, Croatia
June 8, 2011
$2,245,935
33,698 /
33,698
1 /
1
$384.20, $153.68, $84.52, $33.62
Adria Entertainment/Lupa Promotion/AEG Live

Auckland

U2
November 25-26, 2010
Auckland New Zealand
Mt Smart Stadium
GROSS: $8,819,418
ATTENDANCE: 93,519
SHOWS: 2
SELLOUTS: 2
Average Ticket Price: $94.31

Bon Jovi
Mt Smart Stadium
Auckland, New Zealand
Dec. 5, 2010
$1,756,427
10,755 /
10,755
1 /
1
$487.52, $289.64, $141.30, $91.85
Dainty Consolidated Entertainment

Perth

U2
December 18-19, 2010
Perth Australia
Subiaco Oval
GROSS: $13,910,989
ATTENDANCE: 108,706
SHOWS: 2
SELLOUTS: 2
Average Ticket Price: $127.97

Bon Jovi
Patersons Stadium
Perth, Australia
Dec. 7, 2010
$4,620,178
29,644 /
29,644
1 /
1
$479.61, $380.99, $183.94, $51.82
Dainty Consolidated Entertainment

Brisbane

U2
December 8-9, 2010
Brisbane Australia
Suncorp Stadium
GROSS: $11,031,839
ATTENDANCE: 85,745
SHOWS: 2
SELLOUTS: 2
Average Ticket Price: $128.66

Bon Jovi
Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane, Australia
Dec. 13, 2010
$6,113,852
39,424 /
39,424
1 /
1
$479.11, $281.97, $134.19, $37.29
Dainty Consolidated Entertainment

Melbourne

U2
December 1, 3, 2010
Melbourne Australia
Etihad Stadium
GROSS: $13,460,407
ATTENDANCE: 105,312
SHOWS: 2
SELLOUTS: 2
Average Ticket Price: $127.82

Bon Jovi
Etihad Stadium
Melbourne, Australia
Dec. 11, 2010
$8,139,185
54,414 /
54,414
1 /
1
$479.22, $143.99, $85.03, $36.61
Dainty Consolidated Entertainment

Bon Jovi
Rod Laver Arena
Melbourne, Australia
Dec. 10, 2010
$3,558,135
14,723 /
14,723
1 /
1
$433.50, $384.14, $286.01, $139.80
Dainty Consolidated Entertainment

Sydney

U2
December 13-14, 2010
Sydney Australia
ANZ Stadium
GROSS: $13,695,929
ATTENDANCE: 107,155
SHOWS: 2
SELLOUTS: 2
Average Ticket Price: $127.81

Bon Jovi
Football Stadium
Sydney, Australia
Dec. 17-19, 2010
$15,502,107
103,843 /
103,843
3 /
3
$480.79, $283.65, $89.01, $42.86
Dainty Consolidated Entertainment

Sao Paulo

U2
April 9, 10, 13, 2011
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Estádio do Morumbi
GROSS: $32,754,065 (RECORD)
ATTENDANCE: 269,491 (RECORD)
SHOWS: 3
SELLOUTS: 3
Average Ticket Price: $121.54

Bon Jovi
Estadio do Morumbi
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Oct. 6, 2010
$5,537,022
55,833 /
55,833
1 /
1
$196.72, $57.38, $40.98, $26.23
T4F-Time For Fun


Buenos Aires

U2
March 30, April 2-3, 2011
La Plata Argentina
Estadio Ciudad de La Plata
GROSS: $20,550,302 (RECORD)
ATTENDANCE: 172,029 (RECORD)
SHOWS: 3
SELLOUTS: 3
Average Ticket Price: $119.46

Bon Jovi
River Plate
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Oct. 3, 2010
$4,222,698
37,633 /
37,633
1 /
1
$568.92, $112.78, $75.19, $31.33
T4F-Time For Fun

Santiago

March 25, 2011
Santiago Chile
Estadio Nacional de Chile
GROSS: $7,550,446
ATTENDANCE: 77,765
SHOWS: 1
SELLOUTS: 1
Average Ticket Price: $97.09

Bon Jovi
Estadio Nacional
Santiago, Chile
Oct. 1, 2010
$3,069,075
46,983 /
46,983
1 /
1
$218.46, $92.42, $67.22, $26.89
T4F-Time For Fun

Mexico City

U2
May 11, 14, 15, 2011
Mexico City Mexico
Estadio Azteca
GROSS: $22,866,542
ATTENDANCE: 282,978
SHOWS: 3
SELLOUTS: 3
Average Ticket Price: $80.81

Bon Jovi
Foro Sol
Mexico City, Mexico
Sept. 24, 2010
$2,972,317
44,124 /
44,124
1 /
1
$157.48, $45.67, $19.69, $10.24
OCESA/CIE-Mexico

 

[The_acrobat]

The only market where Bon Jovi could beat U2 is probably the NY/NJ/Philly area, which is their home turf. Also probablyl Japan.

I can't believe those numbers for the 360 tour! Such a great contrast to Popmart, when I was first into U2.

 

[Globo14]

Those numbers are predictable. Being the Bon Jovi fan I am, I can honestly say that U2 are the bigger band (not necessarily better). Many Bon Jovi fans have trouble accepting that fact.

Bon Jovi probably couldn't beat U2 in Japan anymore. They only played 2 shows in Japan (both at the Tokyo Dome) all tour, a land where they used to play upwards of 10 shows (and in stadiums) over the course of a tour.

 

[prbiker15]

I think the numbers above show that more people are willing to pay more $$ for U2 than for Bon Jovi anywhere in the globe, and I agree that the Philly/NY/NJ area is a very strong market for Bon Jovi. U2 only did one show in Philadelphia and three shows in East Rutherford. Over the past two years, Bon Jovi did 4 shows in East Rutherford, 3 shows in New York City, 3 shows in Philadelphia, and 1 show in Uniondale (Long Island).

It took me a while to put these stats together - boxscore searching but here's the totals:

Bon Jovi -- The Circle Tour / Bon Jovi Live -- Philly/NY/NJ Metropolitan Area
TOTAL GROSS: $35,275,342
TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 330,777
AVERAGE: $106.64
SHOWS / SELLOUTS: 11 / 11

U2360 -- Philly/NY/NJ Metropolitan Area
TOTAL GROSS: $31,592,320
TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 322,690
AVERAGE: $97.90
SHOWS / SELLOUTS: 4 / 4

U2 attracting 322,690 people in 4 shows is better than Bon Jovi attracting 330,777 people in 11 shows.

 

[Globo14]

That is true. A thing to consider is that Bon Jovi can't sell out the entire stadium with the normal type stage they use, and the fact that they played 7 arenas. Regardless, they still played 4 nights at the New Meadowlands Stadium (including one godawful performance last July).

It also doesn't help that Bon Jovi tickets have sky-high prices.

 

[CosmoKramer]

(not necessarily better).

On behalf of all U2 fans in this forum:

 

[Globo14]

On behalf of all U2 fans in this forum:

Hey, I've got no problem saying Bon Jovi are my favorite band. They've got some great songs. But U2 are a close second. And the way it's looking, U2 just may take over that top spot eventually. MAYBE.

Keep the Faith and These Days are two brilliant albums. The title tracks from both are awesome musically and lyrically.

 

[The_acrobat]

U2 attracting 322,690 people in 4 shows is better than Bon Jovi attracting 330,777 people in 11 shows.

Which is why I doubt U2 will NOT do arenas on their next tour (or ever again). If they can sell out stadiums, why do arenas? Why do 8 shows at the Boston Fleet Center when they could play to the same amount of people by doing 2 shows at Gillette Stadium?

By 2014-15 (which I think is safe to assume when the next tour will be), the worldwide demand for U2 concerts will have rebuilt itself after 360 tour, and they'll be able to do stadiums again. They'll probably find a way to improve upon the 360 stadium format.

 

[The_acrobat]

I realize my previous post has a double negative in it. I don't think U2 will play arenas anymore is the point I'm making.

 

[U2FanPeter]

Sydney

U2
December 13-14, 2010
Sydney Australia
ANZ Stadium
GROSS: $13,695,929
ATTENDANCE: 107,155
SHOWS: 2
SELLOUTS: 2
Average Ticket Price: $127.81

Bon Jovi
Football Stadium
Sydney, Australia
Dec. 17-19, 2010
$15,502,107
103,843 /
103,843
3 /
3
$480.79, $283.65, $89.01, $42.86
Dainty Consolidated Entertainment

The only figure where BJ outgrossed U2 away from home. BJ ticket average is $149 vs. U2's $127. Obvious u2 outstrip BJ in all the other numbers.

While U2 promoter/fans will correctly cite too many major act saturating down under that season, why did BJ do so relatively "well" in Sydney while playing the same week? BJ trucks must have been waiting outside the venue for the last 360 truck to leave the dates are so close.

Did the 6 weeks headstart in announcing Aussie dates give that much of an advantage to Bon Jovi?(early July for BJ, late August for U2). Without Bono's injury stuff and if U2 announced before BJ would they have done even bigger number throughout the continent? Is saying u2 lost upwards of $10mil potential gross with late(ish) tour announcement out of line?