The biggest concerts in history. The biggest concerts in the world of different years The biggest rock concert

People at all times sought to obtain two invariable factors - bread and circuses. Despite the fact that this saying belongs to the ancient Roman satirist poet Juvenal, who lived already in the 1st century AD, it is still relevant in our time.

Concerts should be called the most important centers of attraction for spectacle lovers. Some performances take months of preparation, rehearsal and millions of dollars to organize. But if the concert went off with a bang, then the audience will not forget it for a long time. And if you are really lucky, then the performance will be included in the most iconic throughout the years. So let's take a look at the biggest concerts on our list.

When New Year's celebrations were in full swing in 1994, the biggest concert in history was held on the popular beach of the pearl of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. About 4 million people from all over the world gathered on the beach to listen to the legendary hits of the rock star Rod. As for the organizer, it was MTV. Due to its huge scale, the concert was included in the Guinness Book of Records.

The second place on our list is occupied by a concert of no less legendary people. The cult rock band is not forgotten after its collapse and is appreciated all over the world. A significant event took place in Sydney, the capital of Australia on April 26. About two million people came to enjoy musical masterpieces that day.

The third and honorable place in the list remains with the international rock festival. More precisely, his final concert in the capital of Russia. The concert tour of the popular festival was a musical tornado through a number of European countries throughout 1991. BIZ Enterprises organized the greatest event in the world of music. If you were there, you would see and hear on the stages the best hits of rock legends - Metallica, Black Crowes and others.

The final part of the event took place in Moscow at the Tushino airfield on 28 September. It was after the fateful coup in August. When tragic events broke out in the capital of Russia, it was very difficult for the inhabitants of the country, stunned by the barricades and tanks, to believe that an event of this magnitude would still take place in them. About 1.6 million people came to the performance. Today on the Internet you can watch the video and appreciate the full scale of this spectacle.

4. The Rolling Stones tour from 2006 to 2007

The illustrious team also does not lag behind and takes 4th place in the ranking. During their tour, the musicians were able to earn 558 million dollars. Because of this, the tour became the most successful in history. During this time, the group held free performances in Brazilian Rio de Janeiro. On the expanses of a four-kilometer beach, 20 immortal hits sounded. The world stage was just huge - 22 meters. But more than 1.5 million people wanted to take part in this event. The show was sponsored by the local mayor's office.

The musical celebration was organized in honor of the International Day of Peace. The show was called - World without borders. On that day, you could listen to your favorite stars, in the style of Silvio Rodriguez, Miguel Bose and others. More than 1.5 million people and fans of the Latin stage could be seen around the stage. This largest shock in Havana was created by the Cuban Institute of Music, as well as the Colombian musician Juanes. Venue: Revolution Square. Even the intense heat did not prevent people from enjoying the hits and rejoicing.

About 900 thousand people gathered to hear and see the country legend. The free show was held in New York's Central Park. Around 14 million fans enjoyed the live broadcast. The singer for all the years of his work has sold an incredible number of albums. Fans have sold over 120 million copies. Sales surpassed in 2001 the records of the king of rock Presley.

Steve Wozniak acted as sponsors of the great show. He is one of the founders of Apple. Such famous groups and singers as Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, Triumph and others delighted their ears at the concert of the public. The music show passed to the admiring applause and exclamations of the 600,000th audience.

At the famous Watkins Racecourse in 1973, the greatest concert of its time took place. The rock festival was such a success with people that 600,000 spectators came to watch it. After the festival got into the Guinness Book of Records. Their performances at the concert pleased the bands of those times - The Band, The Allman brothers band and others.

Every year, the popular festival pleases the inhabitants of foggy Albion and allows you to plunge into the world of music. The show takes place in the first days of summer. But the festival in 1970 still had the biggest success. Since 600 thousand people came there, the concert was an unheard of success. Still, the popular stars of that time had a tremendous success.

If we take into account our time, then here the rating was replenished with one of them. The German band was once a big success. The cult rock band was born at the beginning of the second millennium. Her biggest sensation occurred in 2010 in the world capital of romantics. If we talk about the number of spectators, then about 500 thousand people came to listen to their favorites. The festival was held on the grounds of the Eiffel Tower.

Video: Top 10 Largest Concerts in History


Today in the world there are a huge number of concert halls that amaze the audience with their beauty, high-quality light and acoustics. And when all these important components are combined in one building, it cannot go unnoticed. Our review presents 25 of the most stunning concert halls from around the world that every theatergoer should visit.





The family of Walt Disney, the creator of the cartoon empire, has long wanted to build a building worthy of the highest marks in his honor and donated $ 50 million for its construction. As a result, with the opening of another masterpiece from Frank Gehry in 2003, the main city of California found its new symbol. It is worth noting that in addition to external expressiveness, this concert hall has acoustic properties that are in many ways superior to other well-known venues in the world.





After numerous failures and freezing of construction at the design stage, China's main theater was finally built in the early 2000s. Resembling either a huge drop of water, or a flying saucer that landed in the Chinese capital, this incredible structure immediately fell in love with most local residents and guests of the Celestial Empire. The theater is a domed structure 212 meters long and about 47 meters high, made entirely of metal and glass. The building is located on the surface of an artificial lake, and underwater tunnels with a transparent ceiling serve as an entrance to it.





The ultra-modern opera house in the center of Oslo was designed by the world-renowned architectural firm Snohetta in 2007. The main task of the architects was to organically fit the building into the urban development, the rocks of the Oslofjord and the coastal territory of the seaport, while linking the historic city center with modern quarters. The main hall of the theater is designed for 1364 seats and has a classic horseshoe shape, which ensures the highest acoustic performance. The main feature of the theater was the sloping roof, smoothly descending to the ground. It was quickly chosen by locals, especially cyclists and skateboarders.

4. Concert Hall "Albert Hall" in London, UK


Albert Hall, London, UK



Concert Hall "Albert Hall" in London: the interior of the hall


Britain's most prestigious concert hall, London's Albert Hall, was built in honor of Prince Albert in 1871. The popularity of this venue is most eloquent in numbers - every year the Albert Hall hosts about 350 cultural events, including classical music concerts, opera and ballet performances, charity concerts, award ceremonies and banquets. The façade of the red brick building, elliptical in plan, is decorated with a frieze with 16 sculptures, each of which symbolizes a certain area of ​​science and art. This beautiful monument of Victorian architecture is crowned by a huge glass dome on an openwork frame made of cast iron.





The official opening of the new concert hall in the capital of Denmark took place in 2009. As conceived by the author of the project, the Frenchman Jean Nouvel, the Copenhagen Concert Hall is not only the theater building itself, but a whole musical town with special recreation areas - open terraces, bars and restaurants. Inside a large glass volume there are four studio halls equipped with the latest technology, each of which is decorated in its own unique style. The largest hall with a capacity of 1800 spectators is located on top of the cube. Today, the Copenhagen Concert Hall is considered the most expensive music venue in the world.

6. Auditorio de Tenerife Opera House in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain


Opera House Auditorio de Tenerife in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain



Opera House "Auditorio de Tenerife" in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: the interior of the hall


One of the most recognizable buildings in Spain, the Auditorio de Tenerife Opera House is the result of the creative process of Santiago Calatrava. One of the most significant and famous works of modern architecture was completed in 2003. The scale of this building is simply amazing - the roof alone reaches 100 meters in length and weighs about 350 tons. The theater building includes two halls - organ (1616 seats) and chamber (424 seats). It is curious that you can enter the theater from two sides. Also "Auditorio de Tenerife" gives its visitors the opportunity to spend time in harmony with nature on special terraces with sea views.





The construction of the theater and concert hall in Taiwan was completed in 1987. The appearance of such important cultural objects served as a turning point in the history of not only Taiwan, but the whole of China. The theater complex includes directly two buildings of the theater and a concert hall, as well as art galleries, shops, restaurants, a library and a large memorial square. The program of events of this cultural center is an incredible variety - from Kabuki theater to Shakespearean drama, from Verdi's opera to African dances, from American jazz to Latin dance, etc. Also on the territory of the Taipei complex are held meetings of high-ranking officials and diplomats.

8. Concert and exhibition hall "Rudolfinum" in Prague, Czech Republic


Concert and exhibition hall "Rudolfinum" in Prague, Czech Republic



Concert and exhibition hall "Rudolfinum" in Prague: the interior of the hall


The main concert and exhibition venue of the Czech Republic, the Rudolfinum hall, was opened in the center of Prague in 1885. The hall got its name in honor of the Austro-Hungarian Prince Rudolf, who personally participated in the opening ceremony. There are several music halls in the Rudolfinum building: the Dvorak Hall, which delights the ear with its excellent acoustics, as well as the Josef Suk Hall and the Kubelka Hall. Within the walls of this institution are concerts of classical music and art exhibitions.

9. Concert Hall "House of Music" in Porto, Portugal


Concert Hall "House of Music" in Porto, Portugal



Concert Hall "House of Music" in Porto: the interior of the hall


The Concert Hall "House of Music" was built in the center of Porto by the design of the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas in 2005. Outwardly, this modern building resembles a huge truncated cube, which many people jokingly compare to a piece of refined sugar. However, the interiors of the "House of Music" surprise even more - the inner walls adjoin each other and intersect at completely unimaginable angles, and incredible prospects open up in each room. The main hall, in which three orchestras perform, can accommodate a little over 1200 spectators. In addition, the "House of Music" has an additional auditorium for 350 people and rehearsal rooms.

10. Concert Hall "Carnegie Hall" in New York, USA


Concert hall "Carnegie Hall" in New York, USA



Concert Hall "Carnegie Hall" in New York: the interior of the hall


Carnegie Hall, located in midtown Manhattan, was built in 1891. Today it is one of the most prestigious venues for the performance of classical music. "Carnegie Hall" includes three halls with a total capacity of 2804 seats. The building was reconstructed and renovated twice - in 1983 and 2003. Throughout the history of this "musical mecca", such legends of classical music as Dvorak, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky and many others have performed within its walls.





Built in 1934 in the Mexican capital, the luxurious Palace of Fine Arts is an example of a mixture of Beaux Arts and Art Deco architectural styles, as evidenced by Carrara marble walls and incredible opulence of decor. A significant part of this magnificent building is occupied by the concert halls of the opera house. It is no coincidence that many tourists visit the Palace solely to see and hear the best opera and ballet performances performed by Mexican artists. The ensemble also includes the Museum of Architecture and the National Museum of Fine Arts.





The Dortmund Opera House, officially opened in 1966, is considered one of the largest cultural institutions in Germany. The theater troupe employs more than 500 employees, which is also a record for Germany. The building of the Dortmund Opera, which is quite unusual in form, consists of the main hall, small rehearsal rooms, cafes and restaurants.





The building of the Academic Opera and Ballet Theater was built in the capital of Azerbaijan, the city of Baku, in 1959. The building of the theater in the Gothic style was erected in the historical center of the city at the expense of the Baku millionaire Mailov. In 1959, the building became known as the Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. It presents the classic layout of an object of this type - there is a small vestibule, an auditorium for 1281 seats and a stage. For many people, it is still a mystery how such a large object was built in about 10 months.

14.


Sage Gateshead Music Education Center in Gateshead, UK



Sage Gateshead Music Education Center in Gateshead, UK


The Sage Gateshead Music Education Center, located in the city of the same name in the north-east of England, was built in 2004 by the legendary British architect, Baron Norman Foster. The structure of this ultra-modern structure is formed by two main elements - curved glass and stainless steel. "Sage Gateshead" mainly consists of 3 halls: a large (1700 seats) for major concerts, a small (400 seats) for smaller events, and a hall. The rest of the complex is occupied by bars, cafes and a media library.





The Bolshoi Theatre, built in 1825 on Theater Square in Moscow, is one of the most ancient cultural buildings among those currently operating. During the period of its existence, this stunning building burned down twice and survived about 7 reconstructions, which indicates its significance. In the process of designing the first building of the Bolshoi Theater in 1821, several well-known architects took part at once - Beauvais, Gilardi, Mikhailov and Melnikov. It is they who own the general structural design of the Bolshoi, which, although not fully, has survived to this day. Then, as now, in plan the theater was a rather compact rectangular volume with a portico with a colonnade pushed forward. The Bolshoi Theater is considered one of the main attractions and pride not only of Moscow, but of all of Russia.

16. Musical Theater "Metropolitan Opera" in New York, USA


Musical theater "Metropolitan Opera" in New York, USA



Musical theater "Metropolitan Opera" in New York: the interior of the hall


One of the most prestigious theaters in the world, the Metropolitan Opera has existed since the 1880s, but received its current registration at the Lincoln Performing Arts Center in Manhattan only in September 1966. This legendary complex includes: a large auditorium designed for 3900 seats, and three auxiliary platforms. The most important decorative elements in the interior of the theater are the monumental frescoes of the famous émigré artist Marc Chagall.

17. Harp Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland


Harp Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland



Concert hall "Harp" in Reykjavik: the interior of the hall


Erected in 2011, the modern concert hall with a very original name "Harp" became the first truly large cultural facility in a European country that suffered more than others from the economic crisis and severe weather conditions. Of course, the main highlight of the project of the talented Danish architect Olafur Eliasson was the delightful facade of glass blocks shimmering in different colors. In addition to the luxurious and modernly designed auditorium, the Arfa houses cafes, galleries and a theater museum.





The Arts Center, designed by architect Roy Grounds in 1984 in Melbourne, is a cultural complex consisting of theater venues and concert halls. In total, the complex has two theater halls, the main of which can accommodate 600 people, and two concert halls (1200 and 400 people). The Center also hosts various exhibitions, the priority purpose of which is the modern trend in art.

19. Concert Hall "Egg" in Albany, USA


Egg Concert Hall in Albany, USA



Concert Hall "Egg" in Albany: the interior of the hall


The construction of the main concert hall of the capital of the State of New York was completed in 1980. An unusual building in the shape of an egg is located in the central square of the city of Albany Empire State Plaza, among a variety of government institutions. Such an unusual shape of the concert hall, combined with the severity of the neighboring buildings, made the "Egg" the main symbol and tourist attraction of the capital city. The theater building has two halls. One of them is designed for 450 visitors, and the other - for 980.





The Concert Hall in Berlin, designed in 1821 by Karl Friedrich Schinkel in the neoclassical style, as well as the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, is considered one of the oldest cultural buildings in the world. Like its Moscow counterpart, the Concert Hall in Berlin has gone through a lot - a major fire, arson, threats of demolition and many renovations. The façade of the Berlin Concert Hall is an example of a classical order system with columns, and the interiors of both the foyer and the hall itself amaze with the level of detail of the smallest artistic elements. The acoustics in the Berlin Hall are among the best in the world.





The construction of the new stage of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg was completed in 2011 and cost the state treasury a record 22 billion rubles. The project of the Canadian bureau Diamond & Schmitt Architects, according to which the new building of the Mariinsky Theater was built, was personally chosen by the director of the theater, the famous conductor Valery Gergiev. Not so long ago, the maestro admitted that despite the duration of construction (10 years) and the enormous financial costs, he was pleased with his choice and the work done, because Mariinka-2 is "the most modern and world-class public building in Russia."

22. Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Canada


Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Canada



Concert Hall "Roy Thomson Hall" in Toronto: the interior of the hall


Roy Thomson Hall was built in Toronto in 1982. Before the restoration work in 2002, the hall accommodated more than 2800 spectators, and after it - 2630. The original spherical room is favorably distinguished by ascetic forms and "cold" acoustics, which is associated with the concrete structures that dominate the design. The central place in the layout of the hall belongs to a giant organ with 5207 pipes designed by Canadian Gabriel Nee.

23. Esplanade Theater in Singapore


Esplanade Theater in Singapore



The Esplanade Theater in Singapore: the interior of the hall


The Esplanade Theater was built in booming Singapore in 2003 and has already become one of its symbols. In fact, Esplanade is a complex of two hemispherical halls with a capacity of 1600 and 2000 spectators, two additional studios, a large shopping center and an open-air theater. In addition to its main function, the theater ensemble sometimes serves as a venue for negotiations, exhibitions and conferences. It is curious that the theater and the concert hall are united by a single lobby, which houses the entrance to the shopping center.





The Sydney Opera House, built in 1973 by the Danish architect Jorn Utzon in the Expressionist style, is considered one of the most famous and easily recognizable buildings in the world. Also, the Sydney Opera House is the main attraction of the whole continent. Two large arches of shells form the ceilings of the two main halls: the Concert Hall and the Opera Theatre. In other halls, the ceilings are formed with the help of smaller vaults. The sail-like shells of the roofs give the theater its uniqueness. On June 28, 2007, the Sydney Opera House received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.





The Vienna State Opera was built in 1869. Unfortunately, during the difficult years of the occupation of Austria (1938-45), the theater experienced a serious decline in interest. In 1945, during the bombardment of the Austrian capital, the theater building was destroyed. It took about 10 years to fully recover. In addition to opera and ballet performances, theatrical masquerade balls are held annually in this complex.

Like all architecture in general, the architecture of concert halls and theaters is constantly changing, becoming more and more free and unusual, as can be seen from our materials, and.

Twenty-six years ago (May 27) The Stone Roses played their legendary concert at Spike Island. On this occasion, we offer to recall a few more historically important live performances.

The Beatles: "Rooftop Concert", January 30, 1969
An impromptu performance on the rooftop of Apple Studios. Classics such as "Get Back" and "Don't Let Me Down" sent London into a screeching halt before the police famously interrupted the performance. "I hope we passed the audition," Lennon pointed out snidely. This was the last time the Liverpool Four played together.

Blur: Hyde Park, London, 2 July 2009
After the departure of Graham Coxon in 2002, it looked like Blur's story had come to an end - until 2008, when Coxon and Albarn settled their differences and revealed plans for a future short tour. Tickets for the Hyde Park concert sold out within two minutes, heralding a second show and attention from a whole new generation of fans.

Jimi Hendrix: Woodstock, August 18, 1969
Hendrix ended the two-hour festival - the longest of his career - though it was the only highlight of the festival in retrospect. Hardly anyone actually saw him take the stage on Monday morning, after most of the people had left.

Muse: Wembley Stadium, London, 16 June 2007
The band were the first musicians to sell out a performance at the newly refurbished Wembley Stadium. Muse put on an elaborate show with many details, including giant satellites and air dancers attached to balloons.

Arctic Monkeys: First show at the London Astoria, 2005
Tickets sold out in advance - all because of one limited single - Arctic Monkeys arrived. "If someone throws another damn can, then we can get the hell out!" Alex Turner commanded at one point with Gallagher confidence. No other items were thrown.

Radiohead: Glastonbury 1997
It's what festival founder Michael Eavis called "the most inspiring concert at the festival in 30 years." Overcoming bad weather and a host of technical challenges, the band mesmerized the audience with haunting performances of new material from "OK Computer" and older classics such as "Creep".

Nirvana: Reading Festival 1992
Nirvana's last gig on British soil. Parodying speculation about his mental health, Kurt Cobain was brought onto the stage in a wheelchair before joining the rest of the band for a powerful set of old and new songs.

Eminem: Manchester Evening News Arena, 2001
Striking fear in the hearts of Daily Mail readers everywhere, Slim Shady took pills, faked his own execution and marched across the stage with his now-famous chainsaw and hockey mask. The scandalous concert was organized by gays and women's rights protesters.

The Strokes: London Astoria, February 3, 2001
London debut of The Strokes playing as rookies at the NME Awards. Hailed as the most important band of the new millennium, they unveiled future hits "Last Night" and "New-York City Cops" from their debut album Is This It, later voted by NME readers and journalists to be the 2001 album.

Last show at the London Astoria, 14 January 2009
After a long campaign failed to save the iconic venue from a bulldozer, Get Cape's Sam Duckworth hosted the final show. The line-up featured Frank Turner, ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead and The Automatic, culminating in a performance "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley.

The Clash: London Rainbow Theatre, 21 May 1977
By the time The Clash was released, the crowd had been foaming at the mouth with The Jam and Buzzcocks. During the opening song "London's Burning", enthusiastic fans refused to sit down and went on a rampage, pulling out over 200 seats in the process.

The Who: Leeds University, February 14, 1970
One of the two shows was organized specifically for the recording of the live album. Due to technical glitches, the sound from the first concert was unusable, forcing the band to hope for this performance. The New York Times called it "the best live rock album of all time".

Jay-Z: Glastonbury 2008
One of the most controversial performances in the history of the festival. Publicly criticized by Noel Gallagher before the performance, Jay-Z responded by walking on stage with Oasis' 1995 hit "Wonderwall", interrupting his "99 Problems". "The Times" called it "the most exciting performance in the last 10 years".

The White Stripes: London 100 Club, August 6, 2001
After a lot of hype, The White Stripes have finally unleashed their dirty Detroit blues in London. "Lustful and promiscuous, exuding sex and danger," one critic said of them, later calling them "the most important band that exists on the planet today."

The Last Shadow Puppets: Leeds Festival 2008
Alex Turner, inspired by the 1960s to collaborate with Miles Kane of The Rascals. Seemingly blended together, the duo performed alongside a 16-piece orchestra and enlisted James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco on drums. A really mature performance, suggesting that Alex Turner has more to offer than Arctic Monkeys.

Morrissey: London Finsbury Park, August 1992
Morrissey wrapped himself in a Union Jack and performed in front of an image of two female skinheads. During the song "National Front Disco", the restless crowd started throwing "projectiles". The artist ended his performance after nine songs and spent the next few years denying allegations of racism.

Pulp: Glastonbury 1995
Performing in place of The Stone Roses, who were forced to pull out, Pulp was met with a measure of skepticism from disgruntled Roses fans. Jarvis Cocker quickly rose above the "beer rush" to take the audience into his own hands. A seminal moment for Britpop that saw the rise of Pulp and the decline of The Stone Roses.

Bob Dylan: Electric Newport Festival 1965
The famous moment when Bob Dylan hit an electrician. The performance lasted 15 minutes before Dylan was stormed off the stage by the hissing crowd, who were angry that he turned his back on the people. He was later persuaded to perform two acoustic numbers. After the incident, Bob Dylan did not return to the festival for 37 years.

The Libertines: London Albion Rooms, April 2003
The Libertines have been hailed as the best new band in the UK. Band members Pete and Carl regularly hosted impromptu concerts in their Bethnal Green apartments. Pushing back the kitchen cabinet and seated on the sofas, fans and friends swooped down to see this latest "concert" at the so-called "Albion Rooms" and wait for the inevitable police vans.

Kings Of Leon: London Bush Hall, 2003
Long before touring sales, Kings Of Leon were god-fearing, bearded curiosities. Turning a London event into a sleazy New Orleans bar, they paved their way with debut album Youth And Young Manhood, giving the assembled crowd an early taste of future classics like Molly's Chambers and Red Morning Light.

The Velvet Underground & Nico: The Exploding Plastic Inevitable, 1966
A multimedia exhibition of Andy Warhol's work side by side with a live performance by The Velvet Underground and the dancing of the infamous muse Edie Sedgwick. Warhol's involvement helped bring the group—then almost unknown—to public attention.

Gallows: Old Blue Last, London, 3 December 2008
"I want to see the damn carnage," Frank Carter roared after smashing the chandelier. A chaotic performance that made the venue look like the culmination of Inglourious Basterds. At one point, Carter attacked one of the male audience members, allegedly for groping.

The Prodigy: Glastonbury 1995
The Prodigy stood out by a mile, dominating "guitar" indie bands. "Glastonbury, are you ready to rock?" shouted Maxim Reality, unleashing his dance/punk hybrid, turning the crowd into one big mess the festival has only seen.

Pixies: Glastonbury 1989
After the release of "Doolittle", this show confirmed that a generation had affirmed the excellence of the Pixies. Starting their set with "Bone Machine", they played their entire repertoire in alphabetical order, ending with "Where Is My Mind".

Joy Division: Birmingham University, May 2, 1980
The last concert of the group. Ian Curtis ended up backstage due to uncontrolled epilepsy. The band played without him and he reappeared on the final song "Digital". The concert also featured the song "Ceremony", which later became the debut single from New Order.

Ozzy Osbourne: Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, Iowa, 1982
In what has since been recorded as knowledge of metal, Ozzy bit off the head of a live bat, believing it to be a rubber toy. He was subsequently taken to the hospital in order to be vaccinated against rabies.

The Flaming Lips: Glastonbury 2003
Accompanied by fans dancing in furry animal costumes, The Flaming Lips have put a stigma on eccentric performances. The Guardian called it a pop concert that "could double as a performance art".

Sex Pistols: Live on the River Thames, London 1977
The Sex Pistols performed songs as they sailed down the River Thames to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. The performance of "Anarchy In The UK" (as they slowly drifted past the Houses of Parliament) was a defining moment in a punk rock uprising that ended with the end of the concert due to the boat being overtaken by the police.

Oasis: Neighbort House, August 10-11, 1996
The concerts that crowned Oasis as leaders of the Britpop movement, confirming their status as the most popular British band after The Beatles. Over 250,000 spectators attended the concert during two August nights, which can be said to have become lucky, as there were more than two million people who wanted to. At the end of the second day, Noel Gallagher took the stage and announced: "This is our story!".

1. Rock legend Rod Stewart and his 1994 concert


This event has become one of the largest in the history of mankind. It is worth noting that the event took place on December 31 of the distant 1994, and the place was an unusual place, the treasury of Brazil - Copacabana Beach. About 4 million people came here to see and hear the singer. Such a scale was made possible thanks to the extensive advertising by MTV. The event was noted in the Guinness Book of Records, and is now the most recognizable in the world of show business.

2. Unique Queen at a concert in Sydney (1985)

The second line can rightly be given to the famous group, which was supervised by Freddie Mercury, Queen. The incredible success was the basis for gathering an audience of 2 million people during a concert in Sydney. Note that this event took place in 1985 as part of The Works Tour project. This day was remembered for many, and became significant for many years of youth.

3. Monsters of rock of the USSR and the third line in the hit parade of scale



The festival, which took place in Moscow back in 1991, was able to place on the third line. Many guests from Europe and America arrived here and demonstrated their skills in music. The event took place in Tushino. It is worth noting that this is the first event that arose after the August coup and the collapse of the union. About 1.6 million people came here to completely break away, and the event itself was filmed by Wayne Isham. Such well-known bands performed: Metallica, Pantera and other rock artists.

4. The Rolling Stones concert in Brazil from 2005-2007



The popular The Rolling Stones often toured and presented excellent programs. However, the tour of the same name was a turning point in the overwhelming success, getting into the Billboard and the highest earnings. The biggest event of the tour took place in Brazil, again at Copacabana Beach. About 1.5 million people came here to hear the guys.

5. "Peace without Border" world peace or a successful concert


This event took place in 2009 and brought together popular soloists and performers from Latin America. The event was aimed at creating peaceful relations with all countries. The venue was Havana. The Cuban government allowed a concert to be held in Revolution Square, where about 1.5 million people gathered.

6. Garth Brooks and his 1997 free country concert

In sixth place is Garth Brooks, little known to us. The man is an American country music artist who is famous for his voice and musical abilities. The concert was held in Central Park, where 980 thousand fans of creativity were gathered. Note that this event took place in 1997.

7. "The US Festival" sponsored by Apple

A grand event called "The US Festival" was held in 1983. In the wake of Apple's success, a concert was held to which Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, Scorpions and many others were invited. Steve Wozniak can rightfully be considered the main organizer. In total, about 600 thousand people came to the concert.

8. 1973 Summer Jam Rock Festival

“Bread and circuses” are the two main factors that people have striven for at all times. Although this expression belonged to the ancient Greek satirist poet Juvenal, who lived in the 1st century AD, it has not lost its relevance to this day. Agree, the main center of attraction for lovers of spectacles in the modern world can safely be called concerts. It takes months and millions of dollars to organize such large projects. However, if the concert goes well, the audience will remember him for the rest of his life. And if you're really lucky, he can be immortalized in the Guinness Book of Records. We bring to your attention the TOP 10 most grandiose and large-scale concerts in history.

TOP-1. Rolling Stones (2003, Toronto)

Rolling Stones performance in Toronto (photo)

In the first place is one of the most legendary bands in the world - The Rolling Stones. The history of this group is so rich that films have been made on it more than once, and the number of books telling about this team has long exceeded a hundred. In grandeur, only The Beatles can compare with them. For 45 years, their style has not changed. while still being trendy and stylish. But this is exactly what the real legend of the rock and roll genre should be, which is what the Rolling Stones are.

It is this group that holds the attendance record for a paid concert. It happened in 2003 in Toronto at a concert dedicated to supporting the city's economy after the outbreak of the SARS epidemic. The show has over a million viewers.. In addition to the Rolling Stones, other stars also participated in this, among which AC / DC, Justin Timberlake and Rush should be noted, however, since this performance was part of the Rollings' concert tour, the record belongs to them.

After 2 years, the guys set another record. Their 'A bigger bang tour' made the boys an incredible $437 million. and was named the most successful tour in history! But with such great success came big problems. Almost all members of the group took drugs, for which they were criticized more than once.

In 1969, Brian Jones, the band's guitarist, drowned in a swimming pool. The reason is an accident, but the examination revealed that the musician's blood contained the remains of narcotic drugs, which indicates a possible overdose.

TOP-2. A-HA (1991, Maracana Stadium, South America)

The most famous Norwegian trio A-ha gained popularity back in the mid-80s . The group's first hit was the well-known single "Take on me" today.. And the first album immediately won first lines in all the charts of the world.

In 1986, the guys went on their first world tour. The popularity of the group was incredible and in 1987 the composer of all the songs of the group, Paul Waaktaar, was invited to record a song for Bond. This fact alone speaks of the recognition of the group. Under their romantic songs, millions of couples of the 80s kissed!

In 1991, the trio went to concerts in South America, where they gathered more than 900,000 spectators in total. And at the Maracana stadium, 300,000 spectators came to the A-ha concert. This record held for 12 years!

Having played a concert in the cultural capital of Russia, St. Petersburg, in 1994, the guys decided to relax and dispersed. Morten Harket, whose voice range was as much as 5 octaves, began recording a solo album. Magne Furuholmen devoted himself entirely to painting and received many positive reviews and ratings. Paul Wauctor-Savoy, together with his wife, Lauren Savva, formed their own band and still play in their homeland of Norway.

TOP 3. Paul Mccartney. (1990, Maracana Stadium, South America)

After the Beatles disbanded in 1970, he and his wife Linda Eastman formed the Wings group. Since that time, they began to publish many of their own songs and albums, give concerts and receive good fees. In 1979, the Guinness Book of Records presented Paul with an award as the most popular artist of all time. By 1990, Paul went overseas with concerts. First, in Chicago, 53,000 people came to his performance, and only then, at the Maracana stadium, he set a new world record for the number of tickets sold for one concert. That evening, 220,000 people gathered at the stadium! During the entire tour, more than 3 million fans visited Paul McCartney's concerts.

Two years later, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Music. An interesting fact, because before that such an award did not even exist. He became the first to be honored to receive it. In the same year, McCartney was recognized as the Composer of the Millennium.

TOP 4. Led Zeppelin (1987, Pontiac Silverdome, USA)

In 1973, the English group Led Zeppelin, the pioneers of hard rock, during their tour, at their second concert, gathered 56,800 spectators. Their performance took place in the USA at Tampa Stadium, Florida. Thus, they continued the tradition started by the immortal Beatles to hold concerts in stadiums. As early as 1977, Led Zeppelin at the Pontiac Silverdome, Michigan, broke its own attendance record. Then this stadium accommodated 76,300 fans.. A larger number of spectators at the Pontiac Silverdome was recorded in 1987 during a visit to the United States by Pope John Paul 2. The stadium was attended by 200,000 people.

TOP-5. Peace concert "Peace without Border", 2009, Havana

In honor of the International Day of Peace, a special musical celebration called "World without Borders" was organized. More than 180,000 Latin pop fans gathered to listen to their favorite performers - Miguel Bose, Silvio Rodriguez and others. It was the largest event in Havana, organized by the Cuban Institute of Music and musician Juanes in Revolution Square. Even the incredible heat did not prevent a record number of spectators from gathering for this show.

TOP 6. Garth Brooks concert, 1997, New York

More than 150,000 fans gathered to hear and see the legend of the country genre Garth Brooks. The concert was held in New York's Central Park. More than 14 million enjoyed country music masterpieces live on television. Over the years of his work, the singer has sold many albums - fans have sold out about 120 million copies. And in 2001, sales success surpassed the king of rock, Elvis Presley.

TOP 7. Michael Jackson, 1997, Prague

The world statistical agency recently conducted a survey around the planet - who is the most recognizable person in the world? It turned out, the most famous on Earth is the king of pop Michael Jackson.

He began his musical career back in 1969 in a group that his father created. It was in this group that he managed to show himself and already in the mid-70s he began to give solo performances. In the family, in addition to Michael, there were 8 more children, all performed with him on stage.

His two sisters, Janet Jackson and LaToya Jackson, also achieved great popularity. Released by him in 1982, the album "Thriller" brought Michael unprecedented fame.. Worldwide, it has sold 105 million copies, which is still a Guinness record. His videos were also successful - it was on them that the now popular MTV channel was untwisted.

In the same 1982, some changes began to occur with Michael's skin - it began to become lighter.. The singer himself said that this was all because of a rather rare disease - "vitiligo", in other words - pigmentation of the body. At the same time, the appearance of the face changed - his nose became thinner. Plastic surgeons still do not talk about these secrets. After these events, Michael did not appear in public and led a reclusive life in his Neverland estate.

This served to worsen his relationship with the legend Paul McCartney, who also wanted to buy them out.

In 1996, Michael organized a legendary tour called "History world tour" on all continents of the world. Such a tour was remembered as the largest of all that had ever taken place before him. Michael has visited 58 cities, 35 countries and 5 continents. The very first concert took place in Prague and gathered 125,000 spectators. In total, Michael played 82 concerts and attracted 4.5 million people.

TOP-8. Rock festival "Summer Jam at Watkins Glen", 1973, New York

The famous festival, which annually pleases the inhabitants of foggy Albion, allowing you to plunge into the world of music. The event is held in the first days of summer. Yet the 1970 festival was its biggest success. The unheard-of influx of music lovers secured him a place in the top of the biggest concerts . The performance of The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, The Taste and other stars gathered an audience of up to 100,000 thousand people, which was a record in the history of this event.

TOP 10. Concert Tokio Hotel, 2010, Paris

Our rating of the largest concerts ends with the famous performance of the German band. The cult rock band was born at the beginning of the second millennium, and its biggest sensation the concert was held in the world capital of romantics in 2010, gathering a huge audience - about 90,000 thousand. The famous show "Welcome to the Humanoid-City" took place on the territory of the Eiffel Tower, which is the pride of France.

Tokio Hotel performance in Paris, 2010 (video)