You can probably guess what at least 2 of the top selling country tours of the past year were. But, what you may not know is large difference between the #1 and #2 acts. It wasn’t even close. Still, country music has an incredible fan base that shows up for all the shows! And we can’t get enough of it in New England. Fun fact, 3 of the top 5 grossing country tours of 2023 came through the Boston area!
Kenny Chesney is usually at the top of the list, but he didn’t tour here last year. Luke Bryan didn’t come through Boston either. And country Eric Church among the missing. Despite that, Church did manage to land in the top 5 grossing country tours of 2023. I had to drive to Saratoga Springs, New York to see the Chief!
I don’t know what it was about 2023, but we seemed to be missing our annual favorites in the Greater Boston area, like Chesney, Church and Dierks Bentley. We did get 3 nights of Morgan Wallen at Fenway. Wallen brought in a large pot of gold from 2023 touring revenues. He grossed over $260 million, primarily from his One Night at a Time Tour!
According to year-end data shared from Billboard Boxscore to Taste of Country, the numbers weren’t even close between the #1 and #2 acts. Here, you will find out what the top 5 selling country music tours of the year are.. And 3 of the top 5 grossing country tours of 2023 came through Boston. Newer country stars prevailed but longtime favorite acts also showed up big. Were you at any of these Boston area shows?
1. Morgan Wallen
Total Gross Earnings: $260,355,870
You likely guessed it was Morgan Wallen who brought home the most bacon in 2023. Wallen’s gross earnings came in at nearly double the No. 2 top touring artist. He holds the #1 spot by a longshot! His tour also won a Peoples Choice Award. Morgan Wallen and his cast of country friends from Hardy, to Ernest, Bailey Zimmerman, Parker McCollum and more entertained us for 3 nights at Fenway Park. It was a night (or 3) to remember.
Carolyn KrusePhoto By Carolyn Kruse
2. Luke Combs
Total Gross Earnings: $133,512,495Luke’s 2023 World Tour was his biggest to date. And weren’t we lucky to have him for 2 nights at Gillette Stadium this past summer? It didn’t hurt that he had Lainey Wilson and Riley Green on the bill. He kicked it off in March, doing primarily stadium shows, and worked it through October. He did not disappoint when he hit New England. His voice is as good live as his recordings. He interacts with fans and delivered a solid, fun show.
3. George Strait
Total Gross Earnings: $107,521,444By George, it was a good year for Mr. Strait, despite the fact that he only played 11 shows! The King of country doesn’t need to span the globe. He”s super efficient. With the 3rd top grossing tour and only 11 dates, that comes out to about $10 million per show! But no shows in New England this past year. Please come to Boston, in 2024 George.
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ATLive)
