2023 has been filled with amazing live music and record-breaking tours, but what are the best cities to see them all? From stadium singalongs with Taylor Swift to intimate club gigs with Alkaline Trio, America’s concert pulse is beating strong. The data has been revealed with Pollstar unveiling their second annual Concert Market Rankings, crunching the numbers to show where the live music action is hottest. While you can likely predict some places like New York City and Chicago, there are a few surprises on the list.
New York City takes the crown for 2023, with a jaw-dropping $796.6 million in ticket sales. Think sold-out shows by Harry Styles, Billy Joel, and every band your parents ever loved. But hold on, because the music map doesn’t end there! Las Vegas, LA, Chicago, and the Bay Area keep the party going in the top ten.
But the real buzz is in the rising stars like Dallas – Ft. Worth, Green Bay-Appleton, Spokane, and Des Moines, cracking top of the list. These hidden gems are proving that big tunes aren’t just for megacities anymore. We were able to attend some shows in the Dallas – Ft. Worth region. We attended the Dickies Arena in downtown Ft. Worth where they hosted 2 sold out shows by Pearl Jam back in September. Opening in 2019, the arena has a modern design with a distinctive exterior featuring vertical metal fins and a glass atrium and white marble interior concourse. The venue has been in the top 10 for total tickets sold since opening.
And it’s not just new kids on the block! Cities like Charleston, Little Rock, and Knoxville are rocking double-digit ranking jumps, showing their passion for live music is only getting louder.
This isn’t just a list, it’s an invitation. A call to artists and fans to explore new stages, discover hidden gems, and join the chorus in more corners of the country than ever before. So grab your lighters, dust off your dancing shoes, and get ready to make some new memories. The show’s just getting started.
| Rank | City | Gross Revenue | Attendance | Avg. Ticket Price | % Change | Events | Rank Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $796,613,879 | 7,568,956 | $105.25 | 27% | 3,240 | 1 – 2 |
| 2 | Las Vegas | $518,813,927 | 3,420,314 | $151.69 | -21% | 966 | 40 – 3 |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $515,075,052 | 4,458,618 | $115.52 | 17% | 841 | 2 – 1 |
| 4 | Chicago | $295,681,068 | 3,291,100 | $89.84 | 12% | 1,207 | 3 – 1 |
| 5 | San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose | $276,405,667 | 3,029,716 | $91.23 | -7% | 803 | 6 – 1 |
| 6 | Boston | $241,196,035 | 3,007,936 | $80.19 | 25% | 1,756 | 9 1 |
| 7 | Miami | $207,883,962 | 1,812,116 | $114.72 | 16% | 399 | 16 2 |
| 8 | Dallas-Ft. Worth | $206,799,956 | 2,252,572 | $91.81 | 3% | 394 | 5 – |
| 9 | Seattle-Tacoma | $199,495,942 | 2,377,347 | $83.92 | 27% | 1,137 | 14 – 2 |
| 10 | Washington | $194,070,404 | 2,642,273 | $73.45 | -17% | 1,789 | 7 2 |
| 11 | Atlanta | $170,879,598 | 2,088,706 | $81.81 | -19% | 748 | 10 – 3 |
| 12 | Nashville | $168,859,507 | 2,074,789 | $81.39 | 6% | 896 | 29 – |
| 13 | Philadelphia | $164,812,261 | 2,013,176 | $81.87 | 7% | 811 | 4 – |
| 14 | Detroit | $164,665,824 | 2,140,552 | $76.93 | 6% | 430 | 13 2 |
| 15 | Houston | $138,209,762 | 1,374,414 | $100.56 | 20% | 439 | 8 – |
