Bon Jovi‘s Lost Highway Tour, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band’s Magic Tour and The Police‘s Reunion Tour are the finalists for Top Tour (highest grossing act) and Top Draw (most ticket sales) in the 2008 Billboard Touring Awards.
They might not be the biggest of the year though, since Billboard‘s calendar year goes from October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008, and the 2008 year totals are released at the end of the year. Madonna will undoubtedly top both charts. However, Billboard needs to cut off its awards to prepare its numerous charts for its year-end issue.
The winners will be announced at the fifth annual Billboard Touring Conference & Awards in New York on November 19-20. Billboard‘s touring awards are objectively based upon gross receipts rather than the subjectively based awards of Pollstar that will be announced early next year.
Billboard will present Widespread Panic with the first-ever Road Warrior Award, conceived to recognize the group’s commitment to touring year after year and dedication to the art of live performance. Bon Jovi and Philadelphia Soul will receive the 2008 Humanitarian Award, which recognizes philanthropic efforts within the music industry.
“Widespread Panic and Bon Jovi have been important contributors to the touring business for years, and we’re excited to honor their work at the 2008 Billboard Touring Awards,” said Ray Waddell, Billboard’s executive director of content and programming for touring and live entertainment, in a statement. “This event is a celebration of the year in touring and we’ve got a great line up for our attendees.”
Billboard’s 2008 Legends of Live honoree is The Allman Brothers Band, which has long been regarded as one of the most compelling and popular live bands in the world. Billboard’s Legend of Live Award recognizes a touring professional who has had a significant and lasting impact on the concert industry.
Some of the other Billboard touring award finalists are Top Package (Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Dream; Journey, Heart, Cheap Trick; and Kenny Chesney, with Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, Gary Allan, others); Breakthrough (Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers and Michael Buble); Top Comedy Tour (Chris Rock, Dane Cook and Katt Williams); and Top Boxscore (Celine Dion, Bell Centre, Montreal, QUE August 15-September 1, 8 shows; Madonna, Stade de France, Paris, FRA September 20-22, two shows; and Spice Girls, O2 Arena, London, ENG December 15-January 22, 17 shows).
In the venue categories: Top Festival (Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN; Coachella, Indio, CA; and Lollapalooza, Chicago, IL); Top Arena (Bell Center, Montreal, QUE; Madison Square Garden, NY; and O2 Arena, London, ENG); Top venue–under 10,000 seats (Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City, MEX; Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY; and The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden); Top Venue–under 3,00 seats (Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tamp, FL; Fox Theatre, Atlanta. GA; and The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV); Top Club (House Of Blues Dallas, TX; House Of Blues Chicago, IL; and The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA: and Top Amphitheater Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA; Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ; and Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY).
In the promoter categories: Top Promoter (AEG Live, Live Nation and 3A Entertainment); Top Independent Promoter Jam Productions, C3 Presents and Outback Concerts; and Top Independent Promoter–international (Frontier Touring Company, Australia/New Zealand; Michael Coppel Presents, Australia/New Zealand; and 3A Entertainment).