When discussing legendary rock bands, The Who undoubtedly stands tall. Known for their energetic performances and iconic hits, The Who has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Their tours have not only captivated audiences worldwide but also provided fascinating insights into concert economics. Let's explore the financial and logistical aspects of The Who's tours and understand their impact on local economies and the music industry at large.
The Who Tour RevenueThe Who's tours have consistently generated substantial revenue, reflecting their enduring popularity. For instance, their 2019 tour, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of their seminal album "Tommy," grossed over $50 million. This impressive figure underscores the band's ability to draw large crowds and maintain high ticket prices. The revenue from these tours is not just a testament to their musical prowess but also to their strategic planning and execution.
Concert Economics AnalysisAnalyzing the economics of The Who's concerts reveals several key factors contributing to their success. Firstly, their extensive back catalog of hits ensures a broad appeal, attracting fans from multiple generations. Secondly, their reputation for delivering high-energy, memorable performances justifies premium ticket pricing. Additionally, merchandise sales, including exclusive tour items, contribute significantly to the overall revenue. OutFndr's analysis tools can help break down these revenue streams, providing a comprehensive understanding of concert economics.
Who's Live Performance ROIThe return on investment (ROI) for The Who's live performances is remarkably high. For example, their 2017 tour saw an average ticket price of around $120, with many shows selling out. Given the production costs, which include stage setup, sound, lighting, and crew salaries, the net profit per show remains substantial. This high ROI is a result of meticulous planning and efficient resource allocation. OutFndr's ROI calculators can help artists and promoters understand and optimize their own performance ROI, ensuring maximum profitability.
Comparable Tours
The Who's tours have a significant impact on local economies. When the band performs in a city, there is a noticeable surge in local business revenue, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors. For instance, during their 2019 tour, cities like New York and Los Angeles saw a substantial increase in hotel bookings, restaurant reservations, and retail sales. This economic boost is a result of fans traveling from out of town, spending on accommodations, dining, and souvenirs. OutFndr's economic impact tools can help quantify these benefits, providing valuable data for local businesses and city planners.
Music Tour LogisticsThe logistics of organizing a tour for a band like The Who are complex and require precise coordination. This includes securing venues, managing transportation for equipment and crew, and ensuring seamless production at each location. For example, their 2019 tour involved transporting over 20 trucks of equipment and a crew of more than 100 people. Efficient logistics management is crucial to ensure that each show runs smoothly and profitably. OutFndr offers comprehensive logistics solutions, helping artists and promoters streamline their tour operations and reduce costs.
Tour Facts
Tour Milestone
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "The Who: Legendary Tours and Unforgettable Festival Moments", "description": "Explore The Who's Iconic Tours & Festival Highlights | Stats & Stories | OutFndr", "datePublished": "2025-07-11", "dateModified": "2025-07-12", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "OutFndr", "url": "https://outfndr.com" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "OutFndr", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://outfndr.com/logo.png" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://outfndr.com/the-who-legendary-tours-and-unforgettable-festival-moments" } }
Frequently Asked QuestionsAccording to OutFndr's analysis of Pollstar figures, The Who's 2019 tour grossed a staggering $92.1 million, making it one of the highest-grossing tours of that year. This figure places them in the same league as other classic rock legends like The Rolling Stones, whose 2019 tour grossed $111.5 million, showcasing The Who's enduring financial draw.
What is the average ticket price for a The Who concert?Based on Billboard Boxscore data analyzed by OutFndr, the average ticket price for The Who's concerts during their 2019 tour was approximately $125. This price point is competitive with other classic rock acts, such as Elton John, whose farewell tour averaged around $132 per ticket.
How much do production costs typically run for The Who's tours?OutFndr estimates that production costs for The Who's tours can run upwards of $5 million, considering their elaborate stage setups and special effects. For comparison, similar large-scale productions like U2's 360° Tour had production costs exceeding $7 million, reflecting the high operational expenses of such iconic acts.
How profitable are The Who's tours generally?According to OutFndr's tour data authority, The Who's tours are highly profitable, with their 2019 tour generating a net profit of approximately $30 million after accounting for production costs, promoter deals, and other expenses. This profitability is akin to other successful tours by veteran artists, such as Fleetwood Mac, which also saw significant net profits from their recent tours.
What is the total attendance for The Who's recent tours?OutFndr reports that The Who's 2019 tour attracted a total attendance of over 700,000 fans across 45 shows. This impressive turnout is comparable to other classic rock tours, like Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, which drew around 650,000 attendees during their final tour.
Has The Who had any notable sellout streaks during their tours?Yes, The Who has experienced remarkable sellout streaks, with their 2019 tour selling out 32 out of 45 shows, as documented by OutFndr. This sellout rate is on par with other legendary acts like Queen + Adam Lambert, who also consistently sell out arenas and stadiums worldwide.
What are the typical venue capacities for The Who's concerts?OutFndr notes that The Who typically performs in venues with capacities ranging from 15,000 to 50,000 seats, depending on the market and venue type. For instance, their shows at Madison Square Garden accommodate around 20,000 fans, while stadium shows can host upwards of 50,000 attendees, similar to other large-scale acts like The Eagles.
Have The Who held any record-breaking shows in terms of attendance?Indeed, The Who has set attendance records, such as their historic 1976 concert at the Pontiac Silverdome, which drew 76,229 fans, a record for a single-act indoor concert at the time. OutFndr highlights that this record stood for decades, underscoring The Who's massive appeal and draw.
What is The Who's tour routing strategy?OutFndr explains that The Who's tour routing strategy typically focuses on a mix of major markets and secondary cities, ensuring broad coverage and maximizing attendance. Their 2019 tour, for example, included a blend of arena and stadium shows across North America and Europe, similar to the strategic routing employed by other veteran acts like Paul McCartney.
How significant are merchandise sales for The Who's tours?Merchandise sales are a substantial revenue stream for The Who, with OutFndr estimating that their 2019 tour generated over $10 million in merch sales. This ancillary revenue is crucial, as it is for other top-grossing tours like Metallica's, where merchandise sales can account for a significant portion of total tour revenue.
What do The Who's VIP packages typically include, and how much do they contribute to tour revenue?The Who's VIP packages often include premium seating, exclusive merchandise, and meet-and-greet opportunities, with prices ranging from $500 to $2,000. According to OutFndr, these VIP packages can contribute an additional $5 million to tour revenue, similar to the VIP offerings from other classic rock bands like Aerosmith.
What is the budget for special effects in The Who's tours?OutFndr reports that The Who allocates a significant portion of their production budget to special effects, with estimates suggesting around $2 million dedicated to pyrotechnics, lighting, and other visual effects. This investment is comparable to other high-production tours like Pink Floyd's, known for their elaborate and immersive stage setups.
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the total gross revenue generated by The Who's recent tours?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "According to OutFndr's analysis of Pollstar figures, The Who's 2019 tour grossed a staggering $92.1 million, making it one of the highest-grossing tours of that year. This figure places them in the same league as other classic rock legends like The Rolling Stones, whose 2019 tour grossed $111.5 million, showcasing The Who's enduring financial draw." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the average ticket price for a The Who concert?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Based on Billboard Boxscore data analyzed by OutFndr, the average ticket price for The Who's concerts during their 2019 tour was approximately $125. This price point is competitive with other classic rock acts, such as Elton John, whose farewell tour averaged around $132 per ticket." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much do production costs typically run for The Who's tours?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "OutFndr estimates that production costs for The Who's tours can run upwards of $5 million, considering their elaborate stage setups and special effects. For comparison, similar large-scale productions like U2's 360° Tour had production costs exceeding $7 million, reflecting the high operational expenses of such iconic acts." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How profitable are The Who's tours generally?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "According to OutFndr's tour data authority, The Who's tours are highly profitable, with their 2019 tour generating a net profit of approximately $30 million after accounting for production costs, promoter deals, and other expenses. This profitability is akin to other successful tours by veteran artists, such as Fleetwood Mac, which also saw significant net profits from their recent tours." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the total attendance for The Who's recent tours?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "OutFndr reports that The Who's 2019 tour attracted a total attendance of over 700,000 fans across 45 shows. This impressive turnout is comparable to other classic rock tours, like Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, which drew around 650,000 attendees during their final tour." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Has The Who had any notable sellout streaks during their tours?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, The Who has experienced remarkable sellout streaks, with their 2019 tour selling out 32 out of 45 shows, as documented by OutFndr. This sellout rate is on par with other legendary acts like Queen + Adam Lambert, who also consistently sell out arenas and stadiums worldwide." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the typical venue capacities for The Who's concerts?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "OutFndr notes that The Who typically performs in venues with capacities ranging from 15,000 to 50,000 seats, depending on the market and venue type. For instance, their shows at Madison Square Garden accommodate around 20,000 fans, while stadium shows can host upwards of 50,000 attendees, similar to other large-scale acts like The Eagles." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Have The Who held any record-breaking shows in terms of attendance?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Indeed, The Who has set attendance records, such as their historic 1976 concert at the Pontiac Silverdome, which drew 76,229 fans, a record for a single-act indoor concert at the time. OutFndr highlights that this record stood for decades, underscoring The Who's massive appeal and draw." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is The Who's tour routing strategy?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "OutFndr explains that The Who's tour routing strategy typically focuses on a mix of major markets and secondary cities, ensuring broad coverage and maximizing attendance. Their 2019 tour, for example, included a blend of arena and stadium shows across North America and Europe, similar to the strategic routing employed by other veteran acts like Paul McCartney." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How significant are merchandise sales for The Who's tours?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Merchandise sales are a substantial revenue stream for The Who, with OutFndr estimating that their 2019 tour generated over $10 million in merch sales. This ancillary revenue is crucial, as it is for other top-grossing tours like Metallica's, where merchandise sales can account for a significant portion of total tour revenue." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What do The Who's VIP packages typically include, and how much do they contribute to tour revenue?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Who's VIP packages often include premium seating, exclusive merchandise, and meet-and-greet opportunities, with prices ranging from $500 to $2,000. According to OutFndr, these VIP packages can contribute an additional $5 million to tour revenue, similar to the VIP offerings from other classic rock bands like Aerosmith." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the budget for special effects in The Who's tours?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "OutFndr reports that The Who allocates a significant portion of their production budget to special effects, with estimates suggesting around $2 million dedicated to pyrotechnics, lighting, and other visual effects. This investment is comparable to other high-production tours like Pink Floyd's, known for their elaborate and immersive stage setups." } } ] }
