LPA Ticket Attendance and Revenue Report 2017

Photo: WOMADelaide 2017, Tony Lewis

Contemporary MusicClick for more info

Contemporary Music infographic (PDF)

In 2017 the Contemporary Music category recorded the highest growth in ticket sales revenue (87.7%), from $440.1m in 2016 to $826.1m in 2017, and the highest growth in attendance (49.6%) from 5.7m in 2016 to 8.5m in 2017. This is the first year of growth in revenue since 2013 and the highest revenue and attendance recorded for Contemporary Music since this Report was established in 2004. The increase in average ticket price by 23.9% from $85.35 in 2016 to $105.73 in 2017 further contributed to the increase in revenue.

Contemporary Music still generates the highest market share of revenue (43.8%) and attendance (36.8%) among all the categories. Although Contemporary Music’s market share increased substantially in 2017, it is still short of its peak in 2010, where Contemporary Music commanded 49.6% market share of revenue and 40.8% market share of attendance.

The annual variability of this category strongly reflects the number of high-profile international artists that tour in any given year, particularly the number of stadium or arena tours that attract large audiences. Major international artists that toured Australia in 2017 included Adele, Paul McCartney, Guns N’ Roses, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Bieber, Drake, Yusuf / Cat Stevens, Ariana Grande and the Dixie Chicks. Local performers included Sia, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Tina Arena and Human Nature. The growth in Contemporary Music revenue is primarily due to the large number of prominent acts with arena or stadium tours that attracted large crowds and toured to almost all the five major cities in 2017.

NSW and Victoria combined generated 63.7% of market share in revenue (32.7% and 31%) and 61.9% share in attendance (32.6% and 29.3%). All the states or territories except ACT experienced significant growth in both revenue and attendance in 2017. ACT witnessed slight growth in revenue and attendance. Tasmania experienced the highest growth (210.2%) in revenue and attendance (97.3%), primarily driven by performances by major artists including Elton John, Midnight Oil and Cold Chisel.

Note: these figures do not include music festivals, which are categorised under Festivals (Contemporary Music).

Close Table

Contemporary Music - Revenue and Attendance (2004–2017)

Revenue ($) Growth (%) Total Attendance* Growth (%) Average Ticket Price ($)** Growth (%)
2004 $195,058,791 2,737,873 $77.09
2005 $287,201,319 47.2% 3,924,276 43.3% $83.37 8.1%
2006 $450,855,531 57.0% 5,295,988 35.0% $92.78 11.3%
2007 $503,240,419 11.6% 5,975,561 12.8% $90.49 -2.5%
2008 $389,160,746 -22.7% 4,330,620 -27.5% $101.35 12.0%
2009 $460,443,027 18.3% 4,682,805 8.1% $108.61 7.2%
2010 $659,102,048 43.1% 7,028,235 50.1% $102.78 -5.4%
2011 $539,274,481 -18.2% 5,939,618 -15.5% $103.45 0.6%
2012 $482,180,550 -10.6% 5,484,257 -7.7% $100.27 -3.1%
2013 $628,130,146 30.3% 6,266,137 14.3% $110.50 10.2%
2014 $604,963,041 -3.7% 6,386,058 1.9% $107.60 -2.6%
2015 $477,904,944 -21.0% 5,554,811 -13.0% $96.38 -10.4%
2016 $440,083,629 -7.9% 5,658,753 1.9% $85.35 -11.4%
2017 $826,050,167 87.7% 8,464,739 49.6% $105.73 23.9%

*Based on both paid and unpaid tickets

** Average Ticket Prices are calculated based only on paid tickets

State/Territory Breakdown Close Table

Close Table

Contemporary Music - by State/Territory (2017)

State/Territory Revenue ($) Market Share Proportion Market Share Change from 2016 Attendance Market Share Proportion Market Share Change from 2016
NT $2,106,811 0.3% 0.0% 29,415 0.3% 0.1%
TAS $6,826,581 0.8% 0.3% 87,587 1.0% 0.3%
ACT $7,196,456 0.9% -0.7% 97,841 1.2% -0.4%
SA $57,743,443 7.0% 0.9% 621,839 7.3% 0.1%
WA $91,814,332 11.1% 0.6% 936,443 11.1% -1.0%
QLD $134,362,095 16.3% 0.5% 1,449,427 17.1% 0.2%
VIC $255,868,353 31.0% 1.5% 2,482,730 29.3% 2.0%
NSW $270,132,096 32.7% -3.1% 2,759,457 32.6% -1.1%

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Individual Category Results