U2 breaks touring record

LOS ANGELES, April 11 (UPI) -- The Irish rock band U2 is now the record holder for the most successful concert tour of all time, Live Nation said Monday.

The group has broken the record held by the British music icons the Rolling Stones, whose "Bigger Bang Tour" grossed $554 million (2005-07).

Live Nation said the "U2 360" tour broke the Stones's record Sunday night when U2 performed a sold-out show at Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo.

With 26 shows left before the tour wraps up in Canada July 30, "U2 360" will also set a record as the top-grossing tour of all time, with final ticket sales due to surpass $700 million, Live Nation said.

"These numbers are staggering, a fantastic result," Arthur Fogel, U2's tour promoter and producer, said in a statement. "U2 have invented a new style of rock show and they continue to deliver their fans the best possible live experience. An in-the-round transportable stadium production is something that the touring industry has been trying to figure out for some time. The extra capacity that the 'U2 360' creates also allows for a large number, several thousand in fact, of low priced tickets at every show."

"That dollar figure for the gross looks enormous," U2 manager Paul McGuinness added. "Of course, I can't tell you what the net is, but I can tell you that the band spend enormous sums on production for their audience. Fans all over the world agree that a ticket to 'U2 360' is good value for money. We're really proud of this tour and this achievement is great news, coming as we head back into North America."