Top Albums, Tours of 2008

Bruce Springsteen finishes 2nd to Irish superstars, and it's not even close

(NEWSER) - The news that U2 was the top moneymaker in music in 2009 is no surprise, but what may come as a bit of a shock is the gap between No. 1 and No. 2. The Irish rockers brought in $108.6 million lat year, nearly twice as much as runner-up Bruce Springsteen's $57.5 million. Extending the greatest hits of the '80s theme, the next two acts in the Billboard rankings are Madonna and AC/DC, with Britney Spears somewhat unexpectedly rounding out the top 5. More»

Big-name acts, up-and-comers see modest rise in attendance

(NEWSER) - Concert tours remained surprisingly strong this year despite the weak economy, with slightly more people heading out to see their favorite acts than in 2008. Gross revenue held steady at $1 billion for the period from May 1 to Sept. 1, matching earnings a year earlier. Big-name acts like Kenny Chesney, the Dave Matthews Band, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, and Coldplay all enjoyed strong tours. More»

Viva la Vida the year's bestselling album

(NEWSER) - Coldplay’s Viva La Vida was the best-selling album in the world last year, the BBC reports, selling 6.8 million copies. Coldplay was one of four British acts to crack the top 10. Here’s the rest of the list:

2. AC/DC: Black Ice
3. The Mama Mia! soundtrack

(NEWSER) - When it comes to overall revenues in 2008, all other musicians took a back seat to Madonna. Billboard notes that the top 20 earners all toured, a move that is bringing in more and more money as record sales tank. The top moneymakers:

1. Madonna: With more than $242 million, the Material Girl's 'Sticky and Sweet" tour tops the list, even though her album had middling sales.

Dem indeed Born in the USA , but is he Livin' on a Prayer ?

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday evening will be music to our ears—or will at least be accompanied by it, the Rocky Mountain News reports. Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen will perform acoustic songs during the star-studded festivities in Denver—though sources wouldn’t divulge which. Livin’ on a Prayer, perhaps? Born in the USA? More»