Summer Concert Tours

Summer's top concert acts will cost you — but there are some bargains around
on 06/4/06BY STEVE JONESUSA TODAY
Madonna will be queen of the road this summer.
With last year's top touring acts — the Rolling Stones, U2 and Paul McCartney — touring Europe or taking a break, Madonna's 15-week disco-themed Confessions Tour is likely to be the season's biggest-grossing and most heavily attended concert. It also will be among the priciest, with regular tickets going for as much as $375.
Several other headliners are expected to do blockbuster business, including Bruce Springsteen, coming to the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel June 24-25; Tim McGraw and Faith Hill; Red Hot Chili Peppers; Jimmy Buffett; Dave Matthews Band; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, coming to Holmdel Aug. 20; and Paul Simon, who will be at the Holmdel amphitheater on July 16 and at the Borgata in Atlantic City July 14-15.
Mariah Carey just announced her 31-city Adventures of Mimi: The Voice, the Hits, the Tour, which hits arenas starting Aug. 5 in Miami. Billboard's Ray Waddell says that while Carey has never been a huge draw, that could change on the heels of her multi-platinum, triple-Grammy-winning album, "The Emancipation of Mimi."
Another act that promoters will be closely watching is the Dixie Chicks, who just released their new "Taking the Long Way" album and hit the road for the first time since lead singer Natalie Maines' criticism of President Bush three years ago sparked a backlash. Their Accidents & Accusations Tour starts July 21 in Detroit. Other country stars such as Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley are surefire winners, and Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson are breaking out.
There will be plenty to satisfy fans of hard rock (Ozzfest, Slayer's Unholy Alliance Tour) and jam bands (Matthews, Phil Lesh & Friends).
Urban-music fans, on the other hand, will have a hard time finding live music. R&B sensation Chris Brown will headline an amphitheater package that includes Lil' Wayne, Ne-Yo, Dem Franchize Boyz and Juelz Santana.
Not much else is scheduled so far.
"There really aren't too many strong-enough headliners in hip-hop to carry a major tour," says Jeremiah "Ice" Younossi of A-List Talent Agency, who has worked with 50 Cent and Mob Deep.
The industry hopes to rebound after two years of decline. The first quarter saw North American grosses of $375 million, a 28 percent jump from last year, according to Billboard.
Those numbers were boosted by Bon Jovi (headed for Giants Stadium in July), Billy Joel, Coldplay and Aerosmith. But with high prices and heavy traffic, not every summer tour can win.
"Ticket prices eliminate the casual concertgoer," says Waddell. "Somebody who wants to experiment isn't going to do it for $50."
Average ticket prices jumped from about $25 in 1995 to $57 in 2005, according to Pollster.
Some tours offer a lot of bang for the buck. The Korn-led Family Values Tour gives concertgoers dozens of acts with lawn seats for $9.99. The Vans Warped Tour offers nearly 60 acts, while Ozzfest has a plethora of hard-rock acts.
High gas prices are a concern, but they could wind up helping the concert business.
"People will be taking fewer trips and staying closer to home," Waddell says. "They may rather spend $100 going to a concert than spend $300 going to the beach."


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