Mass gatherings and big concert culture is as old as organized societies in ancient Africa, Greece and Rome. Fast forward to present dat when event ticketing is the main money maker North America’s main concert promoter Live Nation. The company who have reported their “Best Quarters Ever” over the last three years. Conversely, according to Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PWC), the global live music industry is projected to reach a value of $31 billion in 2022, with an annual growth rate of 3.3%. The revenue from live music and cultural events is expected to exceed the pre-pandemic peak of 2019 this year (2024). In April 2023, Tokyo hosted concerts featuring Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and local punk band the Starbems. Additionally, India inaugurated the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai during the same month, a pioneering cultural venue. The three-day launch event attracted major Indian and international celebrities, fashion icons, and acclaimed artists.
There’s perhaps no greater way to appreciate an artist’s talent and creativity than witnessing them perform live. Thousands flock to music festivals and concerts worldwide to experience their favorite musicians firsthand. The one thing massive concerts surpassing a million people have in common is they are free to the audience. Here’s a rundown of the ten largest and most attended music concerts of all time on a global scale.
1| Rod Stewart’s Copacabana New Year’s Eve Concert- 4.2 Million
Rod Stewart’s December 31, 1994 free Concert at the 4 kilometer long Copacabana Beach Rio De Janeiro, Brazil when 4.2 million people came out. This British singer holds the Guinness world record for largest rock concert of all time.
2| “Oxygene in Moscow” – 3.5 Million
Following Stewart is the 850th anniversary of the Moscow Concert headlined by Jean Michel Jarre in 1997. Dubbed “Oxygene in Moscow,” the concert was held at Moscow State University, becoming the second largest concert ever, drawing an estimated 3.5 million attendees. Organizers selected the venue for its ample capacity to accommodate the anticipated large crowd. French electronic musician Jean-Michel Jarre, is known for headlining massive gatherings, including the “Concert for Tolerance” in Paris two years earlier, which attracted 1.2 million people. “Oxygene in Moscow” was a spectacle with lasers, fireworks, and a moment of silence in honor of Princess Diana, who had recently passed away.
3| Jorge Ben’s Copacabana New Year’s Eve Concert 1993- 3 Million
Prior to Rod Stewart’s record-breaking concert attendance, Brazilian singer Jorge Ben drew 3 million attendees to his concert at the same venue. His free New Year’s Eve Concert spanned from December 31, 1993, to January 1, 1994.
4| “Paris La Defense – Une Ville En Concert”- 2.5 Million
In 1990, Paris La Defense hosted a concert in honor of Bastille Day, the French National Holiday. Officially titled “Paris La Defense – Une Ville En Concert,” the event received funding from the French Ministry of Culture and local business leaders. Renowned French superstar Jean-Michel Jarre headlined the concert, known for his record-breaking performances worldwide. A pyramid stage was erected in the La Defense district for the event, which attracted 2.5 million attendees, making it the largest concert ever held in Paris.
5| Diana Ross’ Worldwide From New York: For One and For All – 2 Million
Diana Ross’ Worldwide From New York: For One and For All concert in 1983 is the biggest concert headlined by a black performer with 1.2 million people in attendance. The event was held in Central Park on July 21, 1983, a month after she dropped her 14th studio album Ross (June 9). Even with the record audience attendance, the album only managed to peak at #32 on the US Billboard 200 Chart December 2.
6| Jean-Michel Jarre at Bastille Day Concert 1990- 2 Million
Before the 1990 Bastille Day Concert, La Defense in Paris primarily served as a business district. However, following Jean-Michel Jarre’s concert on July 14, 1990, the area gained recognition as a prominent concert venue. Bastille Day, celebrated on July 14th, commemorates the French Revolution of the 18th century. Jarre’s remarkable performance not only captivated French audiences but also garnered international acclaim, drawing nearly 2 million visitors to the free concert.
7| Madonna In Brazil 2024- 2 Million
Latin America’s largest bank, Itaú, brought Madonna to Brazil for a performance that drew approximately 2 million people at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. The event, part of Madonna’s ‘Celebration Tour,’ marked the final stop, with fans filling both inside and outside the beach venue. Madonna generously distributed free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis and the show, titled “Madonna In Brazil,” was streamed live on Globo, a local Brazilian channel. The concert featured special guest Brazilian star Anitta and included performances of her hits, including a rendition of Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul.” The event almost didn’t happen due to technical hurdles, but with the efforts of Itaú and producer Luiz Oscar Niemeyer, the show became a reality, making it the 7th biggest concerts in history.
8| The Monster of Rock Music Festival Moscow – 1.6 Million
The Monster of Rock music festival, an annual rock and heavy metal event, ran from 1980 until its conclusion in 1996. Each year, the festival featured top names in the rock and heavy metal genres. While the inaugural show took place in England, subsequent festivals were held in various locations worldwide. The most attended edition occurred in Moscow on September 28th, 1991. Despite political upheaval amidst the collapsing Soviet Union, the concert drew 1.6 million attendees seeking a much-needed distraction.
9| Love Parade in Dortmund, Germany (2008)- 1.6 Million
The electronic dance music festival in Germany reached new heights during its 2008 edition in Dortmund. Regrettably, this marked the penultimate edition of the festival due to the Crowd Crush Disaster in 2010. Originating on the streets of Berlin in 1989, the festival attracted an impressive 1.6 million attendees, featuring electrifying performances by renowned DJs like Armin Van Buren, David Guetta, and German outfit Digitalism, among others.
10| Paz Sin Fronteras II, Havana- 1.5 Million
Paz Sin Fronteras II took place in Havana, the Cuban capital, in 2009, as the second installment of a series aimed at promoting peace and unity in Latin America. Held in the Plaza de la Revolucion, the “Peace Without Borders” concert featured renowned pop music artists from across the region, headlined by Colombian artist Juanes. It set a regional record as the largest concert ever, drawing over 1.5 million attendees.
Honorable mention:
11| Live 8 Concert in Philadelphia, USA (2005)- 1-1.5 Million
The Live 8 Concert, held in 2005, was part of a series of ten benefit concerts staged exclusively in G8 states and South Africa. This global event was an immense success, featuring over 150 artists performing simultaneously worldwide. Unlike other concerts, the Philadelphia event was not ticketed, and official crowd numbers were not disclosed. However, presenters on stage repeatedly suggested that attendance exceeded 1 million, with estimates reaching up to 1.5 million. The star-studded lineup included performances by renowned artists such as Stevie Wonder, Maroon 5, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Kanye West, The Black Eyed Peas, Linkin Park, and Jay-Z, as well as appearances by hosts Will Smith, Natalie Portman, and many others.
