Billboard Touring Awards

Billboard Touring Awards
Name	Billboard Touring Awards
Awarded for	Achievements in concert touring and live performance
Presenter	Billboard (magazine)
Country	United States
First awarded	1990s
Website	Billboard

Billboard Touring Awards The Billboard Touring Awards recognize excellence in live concert touring, honoring promoters, talent, and production teams in the live music sector. Established by Billboard (magazine), the awards intersect with the touring activities of artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, U2, Beyoncé, and The Rolling Stones, and engage industry stakeholders including Live Nation Entertainment, AEG Presents, and venues like Madison Square Garden and Hollywood Bowl.

History

The creation of the Billboard Touring Awards drew on Billboard's longstanding charts such as the Billboard 200 and Billboard Hot 100 while responding to the rising influence of live revenues tied to tours by artists like Elton John and Billy Joel. Early ceremonies acknowledged promoters from firms including Clear Channel Communications (predecessor to Live Nation Entertainment) and production crews for tours by Pink Floyd and The Police. Over time the awards paralleled industry developments seen at entities such as Pollstar Awards and events like the Concert Industry Consortium, reflecting shifts exemplified by tours from Madonna, Metallica, and Guns N' Roses.

Award Categories

Categories have evolved to cover metrics and creative achievement, including distinctions similar to Artist, Promoter, Venue, and Production awards. Typical categories honor Touring Artist of the Year with nominees like Coldplay, Adele, Eagles, and Jay-Z, while Promoter of the Year recognizes outfits such as Live Nation Entertainment, AEG Presents, and CAA talent divisions. Venue awards spotlight arenas and amphitheaters such as Wembley Stadium, Staples Center, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Production and technical categories highlight teams behind stage design and touring productions for acts such as Radiohead, Kiss, and Nine Inch Nails. Special honors mirror career awards given to industry legends including David Geffen, Clive Davis, and artist-entrepreneurs like Bono.

Selection and Criteria

Selection integrates data from Billboard's boxscore reporting, which compiles ticket sales, gross revenue, and attendance for tours by acts including Garth Brooks, Kiss, Phish, and Grateful Dead. Eligibility and ranking use metrics akin to those on the Billboard Touring charts and draw on reports submitted by promoters such as Ticketmaster and Ticketek. Committees may consider creative and production achievements demonstrated on tours by Cirque du Soleil, Florence and the Machine, and Lady Gaga, while lifetime recognitions reflect contributions comparable to those of Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder.

Notable Winners and Records

Historic winners have included mega-tours by The Rolling Stones, whose grosses rival those of U2 and Bruce Springsteen. Acts like Madonna and Bon Jovi set early benchmarks in international routing similar to later achievements by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. Promoters such as Live Nation Entertainment and venue operators like MSG Entertainment have been recurrent honorees. Individual records have been associated with high-grossing engagements at venues such as Tokyo Dome, O2 Arena, and Rose Bowl Stadium, comparable to record-setting residencies by artists including Celine Dion and Elvis Presley.

Ceremony and Presentation

Ceremonies typically take place in conjunction with major industry gatherings and festivals, situating awards within conferences like SXSW, MIDEM, and panels hosted alongside trade shows such as NAMM Show. Presentations feature industry leaders from Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment and have included keynote addresses by executives like Ira Robbins and artists such as Sting. Trophies and plaques are presented at gala events often staged at landmark venues like Radio City Music Hall and The Wiltern with production companies including PRG and TAIT managing staging and audiovisuals.

Impact and Industry Reception

The awards influence reputation and market positioning for artists, promoters, and venues, affecting negotiations with agencies such as Wasserman Music and talent buyers at institutions like House of Blues and Hallenstadion. Coverage from trade outlets including Variety, Pollstar, and Rolling Stone shapes public perception, while academic studies of live music economics refer to Billboard data alongside reports from International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and Statista. Critics and insiders debate metrics and transparency in ways seen in discussions involving Ticketmaster, secondary market dynamics exemplified by StubHub, and regulatory scrutiny reminiscent of inquiries involving Federal Trade Commission.

Category:Music awards