Arcade Fire
Gross in 2010-11: $8.6 million from 23 shows
Rank on year-end Billboard Boxscore chart: N/A
2014 North American arena dates: 32
North American agent: David Viecelli, Billions Corp.
Arcade Fire caused a stir last November after it asked fans to wear “formal attire or costumes” to its upcoming North American arena tour. “I had people calling me, saying, ‘So are they going to turn people away?’ No, for chrissakes,'” recalls Billions Corp. president David Viecelli, Arcade Fire’s longtime booking agent. “They just have a lot of creative ideas about the kind of environment they want to create.” Since breaking out in 2004, Arcade Fire has primarily opted for playing intimate clubs and theaters. But now, after scoring its second No. 1 album with 2013’s “Reflektor,” the indie rock giant has significantly grown its live base and will make the jump to an all-arena tour for the first time. Produced by Live Nation, Arcade Fire’s North American trek begins in early March, after which the band will play festivals across the globe (including a headlining slot at Coachella) before returning stateside to finish the tour in late August.
One Direction
Gross in 2013: $78.3 million from 81 shows
Rank on year-end Boxscore chart: No. 12
2014 North American stadium dates: 30
North American agents: Mitch Rose and Brian Manning, Creative Artists Agency
Still called a boy band, One Direction has become a road monster, leaping from theaters to stadiums in less than two years. From April through October, 1D will tour behind its latest album, “Midnight Memories,” across South America, Europe and North America.
Luke Bryan
Gross in 2013: $45.5 million from 75 shows
Rank on year-end Boxscore chart: No. 24
2014 North American arena/amphitheater dates: 57
North American agent: Jay Williams, William Morris Endeavor
Luke Bryan has hip-shaken his way to becoming one of the top live country acts. He launched his Live Nation-promoted That’s My Kind of Night arena tour in January, and dates have already sold out through mid-March.
U2
Gross in 2009-11: $736.4 million
Rank on year-end Boxscore chart: No. 1
2014 North American dates: N/A
Promoter/producer: Live Nation Global Touring
With its first album since 2009 on the horizon, U2 is sure to hit the road in 2014. The band has a well-earned reputation for game-changing live experiences. This will mark the group’s first album and tour with new manager Guy Oseary. A veteran of big-scale productions, Oseary has managed Madonna for the past nine years.
Bruno Mars
Gross in 2013: $46.4 million from 48 shows
Rank on year-end Boxscore chart: No. 23
2014 North American arena dates: 43
North American agent: John Marx, William Morris Endeavor
Bruno Mars is proving to be an unstoppable force in live music. Three weeks after headlining this year’s Super Bowl he’ll head to Australia, New Zealand and several Asian markets to continue his successful Moonshine Jungle world tour. The second North American leg of the trek begins April 18 in his hometown of Honolulu.
Katy Perry
Gross in 2011: $48.8 million from 98 shows
Rank on year-end Boxscore chart: No. 13
2014 North American arena dates: 58
North American agents: Jbeau Lewis and Mitch Rose, Creative Artists Agency
Forget fireworks — this time she’s promising witchcraft. The North American leg of Katy Perry’s PRISMatic world tour touts a “truly magical experience from every angle in the arena.” Presented by AEG Live subsidiary Goldenvoice and sponsored by CoverGirl, the nearly 60-date trek launches June 22 with support on various dates by Capital Cities, Kacey Musgraves and Tegan & Sara.