AC/DC top 2015 ticket sales chart

AC/DC sold more tickets than any other artist on Earth during 2015.

More than 2.3million people paid to see the Aussie giants during their Rock Or Bust world tour – their first after the retirement of mainman Malcolm Young.

The band brought in $180million in the process, reports industry analyst Pollstar. That puts them in second place for earnings, behind pop singer Taylor Swift, who made $250.4million from ticket sales of 2.2million.

Also in the global top 20 are U2, the Foo Fighters, Fleetwood Mac, the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney.

AC/DC’s average ticket price was $77.92, making them the second-cheapest out of the top sellers. The Foos charged an average of $75.50 while U2 charged $118.35, Mac charged $125.61, McCartney charged $155.76 – and the Stones charged $174.50.

AC/DC continue their tour into 2016, with shows confirmed in North America and Europe. Frontman Brian Young recently said the band knew they couldn’t go on for ever, but added: “We never say no, and we never say never. We just play every night and give it everything we’ve got. If that’s the secret of success, we’ll pass it on.”

Pollstar’s rock ticket sales and earnings chart 2015

1 (2 overall): AC/DC – 2.3m tickets, $180.0m
2 (4): U2 – 1.3m tickets, $152.2m
3 (5): Foo Fighters – 1.7m tickets, $127.0m
4 (6): Fleetwood Mac – 995,900 tickets, $125.1m
4 (10): Rolling Stones – 628,700 tickets, $109.7m
5 (13): Paul McCartney – 498,900 tickets, $77.7m

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Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.