The Billboard Live Music Awards (previously known as the Billboard Touring Conference and Awards until 2018) is an annual meeting sponsored by Billboard magazine that honors the top international live entertainment industry artists and professionals. Established in 2004,[1] it has thus been described as "part industry conference, part awards show".[2]
The event logo for 2009
The last such annual event appears to have been in 2019; it is unclear if the conference and awards have, or will, continue past that year.
Many of the awards are based on Billboard ' s Boxscore chart tracking concert, comedy and other live entertainment attendance and gate receipts, and on real box office performance.[3] As a result, the awards often equate to commercial success.[2] The "top tour" superlative award is also given on the basis of fan polls. The "Legend of Live" and Humanitarian awards are given to individuals for their ongoing contributions to the live entertainment touring industry.[3]
The conference and awards are held in November of each year, traditionally at the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan in New York City but, since 2016, at hotels in the Los Angeles area. The conference usually takes place over two days and is attended by figures from the music and concert industry.[4] Each year features a keynote speaker from the performance industry, who in the past have included the likes of Gene Simmons of Kiss [5] and 3 Doors Down .[4]
While recorded music has an established awards structure headed by the Grammy Awards and also featuring the American Music Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards , live performance music has not had the same. The Billboard Touring Awards are an attempt to fill that gap. Billboard previously attempted to enter the awards arena for recorded music with the charts-based Billboard Music Award , which lasted from 1990 through 2006, returning in 2011. Those awards featured two slots for Concert Venue Award and Touring Venue Award, but were not otherwise live-performance-based.
Award names and awards given themselves have varied somewhat each year, with for example the Top Comedy Tour and Concert Marketing and Promotion Awards being added in 2007 and the Fans Choice being added in 2008, both being determined by fan vote.[6] There are typically three nominees in each category.[7]
Repeat winners in the awards have been common, with country artist Kenny Chesney winning Top Package Tour six consecutive years through 2009[8] and Bonnaroo Music Festival winning four times as well starting in 2004.[9]
2018
The fifteenth annual edition of the (newly named) awards took place on November 13, 2018, at the Montage Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, California , in proceedings hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr. [12]
Top World Tour: Ed Sheeran , ÷ Tour
Top U.S. Tour: Taylor Swift , Reputation Stadium Tour
Top Tour & Top Draw: Ed Sheeran , ÷ Tour
Top Package: not given
Breakthrough Artist: Post Malone
Top Comedy Tour: Kevin Hart
Top Festival: Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival
Top Promoter: Live Nation Entertainment
Top Independent Promoter (Worldwide): OCESA-CIE
Top Agency: CAA
Top Manager: Dre London, Post Malone
Top Boxscore: U2 , Estadio do Morumbi , Sao Paulo , October 19–25, 2017
Top Arena: Madison Square Garden , New York
Top Club: Brooklyn Steel , Brooklyn
Top Amphitheater: Hollywood Bowl , Los Angeles
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall , New York
Top Venue (Under 5,000 Seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace , Las Vegas
Concert Marketing and Promotion: Khalid and Hollister Co.
Humanitarian: not given
Legend Of Live: John Mayer
2017
The fourteenth annual edition of the awards took place on November 15, 2017, at the Montage Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, California , in proceedings hosted by Hasan Minhaj .[13]
Top Tour: Guns N' Roses , Not in This Lifetime... Tour
Top Draw: Guns N' Roses
Top Package: not given
Breakout Artist: Lil Uzi Vert
Top Comedy Tour: Jerry Seinfeld
Top Festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Top Promoter: Live Nation Entertainment
Top Independent Promoter (Worldwide): Another Planet Entertainment
Top Agency: Paradigm Talent Agency
Top Manager: Pat Corcoran, Chance the Rapper
Top Boxscore: U2 , Stade de France , Saint-Denis , July 25–26, 2017[14]
Top Arena: T-Mobile Arena , Las Vegas
Top Club: House of Blues , Boston
Top Amphitheater: Hollywood Bowl , Los Angeles
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall , New York
Top Venue (Under 5,000 Seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace , Las Vegas
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Foo Fighters ' Cal Jam and North American Concrete and Gold Tour with Capital One
Humanitarian: Everytown for Gun Safety
Legend Of Live: Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
2015
The twelfth annual Billboard Touring Awards took place on a single day, November 19, 2015, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City .[16]
Top Tour: One Direction , On the Road Again Tour
Top Draw: One Direction
Top Boxscore: Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead – Soldier Field (July 3–5)
Top Comedy Tour: Kevin Hart
Top Package: Kenny Chesney , The Big Revival Tour
Breakthrough: Ed Sheeran
Top Festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Top Arena: O2 Arena , London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall , New York
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace , Las Vegas
Top Club: House of Blues , Boston
Top Amphitheater: The Gorge Amphitheatre , George, Washington
Top Promoter: Live Nation
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): Another Planet Entertainment , San Francisco
Top Independent Promoter (International): Frontier Touring Company , Australia and New Zealand
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Top Manager: Modest! Management
Humanitarian Award: Hugh Evans
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Imagine Dragons /Southwest Airlines
Legend of Live: Bob Seger
Golden Circle Award: Barbara Marx Hubbard
2014
The eleventh annual Billboard Touring Awards took place on over two days in November 19–20, 2014, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City .[17]
Top Tour: One Direction , Where We Are Tour
Top Draw: One Direction
Top Boxscore: The Rolling Stones – Tokyo Dome (February 26, March 4, 6)
Top Comedy Tour: Jeff Dunham
Top Package: Katy Perry's Prismatic Tour , featuring Capital Cities , Kacey Musgraves , Tegan & Sarah , Becky G
Breakthrough: Florida Georgia Line
Top Festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Top Arena: O2 Arena , London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall , New York
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace , Las Vegas
Top Club: House of Blues , Boston
Top Amphitheater: Molson Canadian Amphitheatre , Toronto
Top Promoter: Live Nation
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): C3 Presents , Austin, Texas
Top Independent Promoter (International): T4F , Sao Paulo, Brazil
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Top Manager: Modest! Management
Humanitarian Award: Light of Day Foundation
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Billy Joel /Citibank at Madison Square Garden
Legend of Live: Lionel Richie
Golden Circle Award: Ron Delsener
2013
The tenth annual Billboard Touring Awards took place on over two days in November 13 and 14, 2013, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City .[18]
Top Tour: Bon Jovi , Because We Can Tour
Top Draw: Bon Jovi
Top Boxscore: P!nk – Rod Laver Arena , Melbourne (July 7-August 26)
Top Comedy Tour: Jeff Dunham
Top Package: Taylor Swift's Red Tour , featuring Ed Sheeran , Joel Crouse , Brett Eldredge , Florida Georgia Line and Casey James
Breakthrough: One Direction
Top Festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Top Arena: O2 Arena , London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall , New York
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace , Las Vegas
Top Club: House of Blues , Orlando, Florida
Top Amphitheater: The Gorge , George, Washington
Top Promoter: Live Nation
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): C3 Presents , Austin, Texas
Top Independent Promoter (International): T4F , Sao Paulo, Brazil
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Top Manager: Bon Jovi Management
Humanitarian Award: Marcie Allen (President of MAC Presents )
Eventful Fans' Choice Award: Bon Jovi
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: The Rolling Stones , 50 & Counting Tour
Legend of Live: George Strait
Hauler of the Decade Award: Vans Warped Tour
2012
The ninth annual Billboard Touring Awards again took place on over two days in November 2012 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City , despite the aftereffects of Superstorm Sandy .[19] [20] [21] [22]
Top Tour: Roger Waters , The Wall Live
Top Draw: Bruce Springsteen , Wrecking Ball Tour
Top Package: Brothers of the Sun Tour , featuring Kenny Chesney , Tim McGraw , Grace Potter & the Nocturnals , and Jake Owen
Breakthrough: Lady Antebellum
Top Comedy Tour: Jeff Dunham
Top Boxscore: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival , April 13–22
Top Festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Top Arena: O2 Arena , London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall , New York
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace , Las Vegas
Top Club (Based on attendance): 9:30 Club , Washington, D.C.
Top Amphitheater: Nikon at Jones Beach Theater , Wantagh, New York
Top Promoter: Live Nation Entertainment
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): C3 Presents , Austin, Texas
Top Independent Promoter (International): T4F , Sao Paulo, Brazil
Top Agency: William Morris Endeavor Entertainment
Top Manager: Mark Fenwick
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Demi Lovato /Hallmark
Humanitarian Award: Apollo Theater
Eventful Fan's Choice: Lady Gaga
Creative Content: Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil
Road Warrior: Kenny Chesney
Legend of Scribe: Ray Waddell
Legend of Live: Neil Diamond
2011
The eighth annual Billboard Touring Awards took place on over two days in November 2011 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City .[23]
Top Tour: U2 , 360° Tour
Top Draw: U2 , 360° Tour
Top Package: Kenny Chesney's Goin' Coastal Tour , with Zac Brown Band , Uncle Kracker , Billy Currington
Breakthrough: Jason Aldean
Top Comedy Tour: Jeff Dunham
Top Boxscore: Take That , Wembley Stadium , London , June 30 – July 9
Top Festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Top Arena: O2 Arena , London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall , New York
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace , Paradise, Nevada
Top Club (Based on attendance): 9:30 Club , Washington, D.C.
Top Amphitheater: Comcast Center , Mansfield, Massachusetts
Top Promoter: Live Nation Entertainment
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): C3 Presents , Austin, Texas
Top Independent Promoter (International): SJM Concerts , London
Top Agency: William Morris Endeavor Entertainment
Top Manager: Front Line Management Group
Apple Award: Perry Farrell
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Taylor Swift 's Speak Now World Tour 2011 sponsored by CoverGirl
Humanitarian Award: Coran Capshaw
Eventful Fan's Choice: Bon Jovi
Legend of Live: Journey
2010
The seventh annual Billboard Touring Awards took place on November 3 and 4, 2010, at the Sheraton Hotel in New York City, NY .[24]
Top Tour: U2 , 360° Tour
Top Draw: U2 , 360° Tour
Top Package: Taylor Swift with Kellie Pickler and Gloriana
Breakthrough: Lady Gaga
Top Comedy Tour: Dane Cook
Top Boxscore: AC/DC , ANZ Stadium , Sydney , Feb. 18, 20, 22
Top Festival: Download Festival , Donington Park , Castle Donington , U.K. June 11–13
Top Arena: O2 Arena , London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall , NYC
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace , Paradise
Top Club (Based on attendance): 9:30 Club , Washington, D.C.
Top Amphitheater: Hollywood Bowl , Los Angeles
Top Promoter: Live Nation
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): C3 Presents , Austin, Texas
Top Independent Promoter (International): T4F , Sao Paulo, Brazil
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Top Manager: Creative Artists Agency
Creative Content Award: Yo Gabba Gabba Live!
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Lady Gaga /Virgin Mobile
Humanitarian Award: Jack Johnson
Eventful Fan's Choice: Metallica [25]
Legend of Live: Rush
2009
The sixth annual Billboard Touring Awards took place November 4 and 5, 2009, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.[26] The winners were:[8]
Top Tour: Madonna , Sticky & Sweet Tour
Top Draw: Madonna , Sticky & Sweet Tour
Top Package: Kenny Chesney , Sun City Carnival Tour with Miranda Lambert , Lady Antebellum , Sugarland and Montgomery Gentry
Breakthrough: Il Divo
Top Comedy Tour: Dane Cook , Globo Thermo Tour 2009
Top Boxscore: U2 360° Tour at Croke Park in Dublin
Top Festival: Oxegen at Naas , County Kildare , Ireland
Top Arena: O2 arena , London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall , New York City
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace , Paradise
Top Club: 9:30 Club , Washington, D.C.
Top Amphitheatre: Comcast Center , Mansfield, Massachusetts
Top Promoter: Live Nation
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): Jam Productions , Chicago
Top Independent Promoter (International): Time For Fun , Sao Paulo , Brazil
Top Manager: Guy Oseary (Madonna's manager)
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Keith Urban , Escape Together World Tour 2009 with KC Masterpiece & Kingsford
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Humanitarian: Kevin Lyman , creator of the Warped Tour
Eventful Fans' Choice Award: Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009
Legend of Live: Ozzy Osbourne
2008
The fifth annual Billboard Touring Awards took place November 20, 2008 in New York City.[6] [9] [27]
Top Tour: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band , Magic Tour
Top Draw: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band , Magic Tour
Fans Choice: Kenny Chesney , Poets and Pirates Tour
Top Package: Kenny Chesney , Poets and Pirates Tour
Breakthrough: Miley Cyrus , Hannah Montana /Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Tour
Top Boxscore: Spice Girls , Return of the Spice Girls , O2 arena , London, December 15 – January 22 (17 shows)
Top Comedy Tour: Katt Williams
Top Festival: Bonnaroo Music Festival
Top Arena: Madison Square Garden
Top Amphitheater: Comcast Center in Mansfield, Mass.
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall , New York City
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
Top Club: House of Blues, Dallas
Concert Marketing & Promotion: Jonas Brothers /Burger King , Burning Up Tour
Creative Content: Walking with Dinosaurs – the Live Experience Tour
Humanitarian: Jon Bon Jovi /Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation
Road Warrior: Widespread Panic
Legend of Live: The Allman Brothers Band
2007
The 2007 awards were held on November 15, 2007. Awards were based on box office performance from January 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007.[28]
Top Tour
Top Draw
Top Package
Breakthrough Artist
Top Boxscore
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award
Top Arena
Top Amphitheatre
Top Club
Top Festival
Top Venue Under 10,000 Seats (Resident)
Top Venue Under 10,000 Seats (Non-Resident)
Top Comedy Tour
Top Agency
Top Promoter
Top Independent Promoter
Humanitarian Award
Legend of Live
2006
The 2006 awards were held on November 9, 2006, in New York City.[4]
Top Tour
Top Draw
Top Package
Top Boxscore
Breakthrough Act
Top Comedy Tour
Top Arena
Top Amphitheater
Top Small Venue (Resident)
Top Small Venue (Non-Resident)
Top Club
Top Festival
Top Manager
Top Agency
Top Promoter
Top Independent Promoter
Creative Content Award
Humanitarian Award
Legend of Live
2005
The 2005 awards were termed the Billboard Roadworks '05 Touring Awards.[7] [29]
Top Tour
Top Draw
Top Package
Top Small Venue Tour
Breakthrough Act
Top Boxscore
Top Arena
Top Amphitheater
Top Small Venue (non-resident booking)
Top Small Venue (resident booking)
Top Club
Top Festival
Top Manager
Top Promoter
Top Promoter
Top Agency
Humanitarian Award
Legend of Live Award
2004
The first annual Billboard Touring Awards were held November 8–9, 2004, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City,[1] [30] as the culmination of the first Billboard Backstage Pass Conference.[31] The winners were announced in advance of the awards ceremony.[31] The awards were not well known or publicized much during this time.
Top Tour: Madonna , Re-Invention World Tour
Top Draw Award: Prince , Musicology Tour
Top Small Venue Tour: Josh Groban
Breakthrough: Linkin Park
Top Boxscore: Red Hot Chili Peppers , By the Way tour , Hyde Park, London
Top Arena: Madison Square Garden , New York City
Top Amphitheater: Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts , Mansfield, Massachusetts
Top Club: House of Blues , Chicago
Top Festival: Bonnaroo Music Festival , Manchester, Tennessee
Top Manager: Caresse Henry (for Madonna)
Top Promoter: Clear Channel Entertainment
Top Indy Promoter: Jam Productions
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Humanitarian: Clear Channel Entertainment
Legend of Live: Michael Cohl