The Billboard Touring Conference and Awards is an annual meeting sponsored by Billboard magazine which also honors the top international live entertainment industry artists and professionals. Established in 2004, it has thus been described as "part industry conference, part awards show".
Many of the awards are based on Billboard's Boxscore chart tracking concert, comedy and other live entertainment attendance and gate receipts, and on real box office performance. As a result, the awards often equate to commercial success. The "top tour" superlative award is also given on the basis of fan polls. The "Legend of Live" and Humanitarian awards are given to individuals for their ongoing contributions to the live entertainment touring industry.
The conference and awards are held in November of each year, typically at the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. The conference usually takes place over two days and is attended by figures from the music and concert industry. Each year features a keynote speaker from the performance industry, who in the past have included the likes of Gene Simmons of Kiss and 3 Doors Down.
While recorded music has an established awards structure headed by the Grammy Awards and also featuring the American Music Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards, live performance music has not had the same. The Billboard Touring Awards are an attempt to fill that gap. Billboard previously attempted to enter the awards arena for recorded music with the charts-based Billboard Music Award, which lasted from 1990 through 2006, returning in 2011. Those awards featured two slots for Concert Venue Award and Touring Venue Award, but were not otherwise live-performance-based.
Award names and awards given themselves have varied somewhat each year, with for example the Top Comedy Tour and Concert Marketing & Promotion Awards being added in 2007 and the Fans Choice being added in 2008, both being determined by fan vote. There are typically three nominees in each category.
Repeat winners in the awards have been common, with country artist Kenny Chesney winning Top Package Tour six consecutive years through 2009 and Bonnaroo Music Festival winning four times as well starting in 2004.
The thirteenth annual Billboard Touring Awards took place on a single day, November 9, 2016, this time at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Top Tour: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, The River Tour 2016
Top Draw: Coldplay
Top Package: Justin Bieber Purpose Tour featuring Moxie Raia and Post Malone
Breakthrough: Adele
Top Comedy Tour: Kevin Hart
Top Festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Top Promoter: Live Nation Entertainment
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): Another Planet Entertainment
Top Independent Promoter (International): SJM Concerts
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Top Manager: Maverick Management
Top Boxscore: Coldplay - Wembley Stadium (June 15–16 & 18–19)
Top Arena: The O2, London
Top Club: House of Blues, Boston
Top Amphitheater: BB&T Pavilion, Camden, New Jersey
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall
Top Venue (Under 5,000 Seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Chance the Rapper
Golden Circle: Brian Murphy, Goldenvoice/AEG Live
Humanitarian: Scooter Braun
Legend Of Live: Bon Jovi
The twelfth annual Billboard Touring Awards took place on a single day, November 19, 2015, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.
Top Tour: One Direction, On the Road Again Tour
Top Draw: One Direction
Top Boxscore: Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead - Soldier Field (July 3–5)
Top Comedy Tour: Kevin Hart
Top Package: Kenny Chesney, The Big Revival Tour
Breakthrough: Ed Sheeran
Top Festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Top Arena: O2 Arena, London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall, New York
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Top Club: House of Blues, Boston
Top Amphitheater: The Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Washington
Top Promoter: Live Nation
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): Another Planet Entertainment, San Francisco
Top Independent Promoter (International): Frontier Touring Company, Australia and New Zealand
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Top Manager: Modest! Management
Humanitarian Award: Hugh Evans
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Imagine Dragons/Southwest Airlines
Legend of Live: Bob Seger
Golden Circle Award: Barbara Marx Hubbard
The eleventh annual Billboard Touring Awards took place on over two days in November 19–20, 2014, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.
Top Tour: One Direction, Where We Are Tour
Top Draw: One Direction
Top Boxscore: The Rolling Stones - Tokyo Dome (February 26, March 4, 6)
Top Comedy Tour: Jeff Dunham
Top Package: Katy Perry's Prismatic Tour, featuring Capital Cities, Kacey Musgraves, Tegan & Sarah, Becky G
Breakthrough: Florida Georgia Line
Top Festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Top Arena: O2 Arena, London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall, New York
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Top Club: House of Blues, Boston
Top Amphitheater: Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, Toronto
Top Promoter: Live Nation
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): C3 Presents, Austin, Texas
Top Independent Promoter (International): T4F, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Top Manager: Modest! Management
Humanitarian Award: Light of Day Foundation
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Billy Joel/Citibank at Madison Square Garden
Legend of Live: Lionel Richie
Golden Circle Award: Ron Delsener
The tenth annual Billboard Touring Awards took place on over two days in November 13 and 14, 2013, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.
Top Tour: Bon Jovi, Because We Can Tour
Top Draw: Bon Jovi
Top Boxscore: P!nk - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne (July 7-August 26)
Top Comedy Tour: Jeff Dunham
Top Package: Taylor Swift’s Red Tour, featuring Ed Sheeran, Joel Crouse, Brett Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line and Casey James
Breakthrough: One Direction
Top Festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Top Arena: O2 Arena, London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall, New York
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Top Club: House of Blues, Orlando, Florida
Top Amphitheater: The Gorge, George, Washington
Top Promoter: Live Nation
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): C3 Presents, Austin, Texas
Top Independent Promoter (International): T4F, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Top Manager: Bon Jovi Management
Humanitarian Award: Marcie Allen (President of MAC Presents)
Eventful Fans' Choice Award: Bon Jovi
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: The Rolling Stones, 50 & Counting Tour
Legend of Live: George Strait
Hauler of the Decade Award: Vans Warped Tour
The ninth annual Billboard Touring Awards again took place on over two days in November 2012 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, despite the aftereffects of Superstorm Sandy.
Top Tour: Roger Waters, The Wall Live
Top Draw: Bruce Springsteen, Wrecking Ball Tour
Top Package: Brothers of the Sun Tour, featuring Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, and Jake Owen
Breakthrough: Lady Antebellum
Top Comedy Tour: Jeff Dunham
Top Boxscore: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, April 13–22
Top Festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Top Arena: O2 Arena, London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall, New York
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Top Club (Based on attendance): 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
Top Amphitheater: Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, New York
Top Promoter: Live Nation Entertainment
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): C3 Presents, Austin, Texas
Top Independent Promoter (International): T4F, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Top Agency: William Morris Endeavor Entertainment
Top Manager: Mark Fenwick
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Demi Lovato/Hallmark
Humanitarian Award: Apollo Theater
Eventful Fan's Choice: Lady Gaga
Creative Content: Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil
Road Warrior: Kenny Chesney
Legend of Scribe: Ray Waddell
Legend of Live: Neil Diamond
The eighth annual Billboard Touring Awards took place on over two days in November 2011 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.
Top Tour: U2, 360° Tour
Top Draw: U2, 360° Tour
Top Package: Kenny Chesney's Goin' Coastal Tour, with Zac Brown Band, Uncle Kracker, Billy Currington
Breakthrough: Jason Aldean
Top Comedy Tour: Jeff Dunham
Top Boxscore: Take That, Wembley Stadium, London, June 30 - July 9
Top Festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Top Arena: O2 Arena, London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall, New York
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada
Top Club (Based on attendance): 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
Top Amphitheater: Comcast Center, Mansfield, Massachusetts
Top Promoter: Live Nation Entertainment
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): C3 Presents, Austin, Texas
Top Independent Promoter (International): SJM Concerts, London
Top Agency: William Morris Endeavor Entertainment
Top Manager: Front Line Management Group
Apple Award: Perry Farrell
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Taylor Swift's Speak Now World Tour 2011 sponsored by CoverGirl
Humanitarian Award: Coran Capshaw
Eventful Fan's Choice: Bon Jovi
Legend of Live: Journey
The seventh annual Billboard Touring Awards took place on November 3 and 4, 2010, at the Sheraton Hotel in New York City, NY.
Top Tour: U2, 360° Tour
Top Draw: U2, 360° Tour
Top Package: Taylor Swift with Kellie Pickler and Gloriana
Breakthrough: Lady Gaga
Top Comedy Tour: Dane Cook
Top Boxscore: AC/DC, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Feb. 18, 20, 22
Top Festival: Download Festival, Donington Park, Castle Donington, U.K. June 11–13
Top Arena: O2 Arena, London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall, NYC
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Paradise
Top Club (Based on attendance): 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
Top Amphitheater: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles
Top Promoter: Live Nation
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): C3 Presents, Austin, Texas
Top Independent Promoter (International): T4F, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Top Manager: Creative Artists Agency
Creative Content Award: Yo Gabba Gabba Live!
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Lady Gaga/Virgin Mobile
Humanitarian Award: Jack Johnson
Eventful Fan's Choice: Metallica
Legend of Live: Rush
The sixth annual Billboard Touring Awards took place November 4 and 5, 2009, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. The winners were:
Top Tour: Madonna, Sticky & Sweet Tour
Top Draw: Madonna, Sticky & Sweet Tour
Top Package: Kenny Chesney, Sun City Carnival Tour with Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland and Montgomery Gentry
Breakthrough: Il Divo
Top Comedy Tour: Dane Cook, Globo Thermo Tour 2009
Top Boxscore: U2 360° Tour at Croke Park in Dublin
Top Festival: Oxegen at Naas, County Kildare, Ireland
Top Arena: O2 arena, London
Top Venue (Under 10,000 seats): Radio City Music Hall, New York City
Top Venue (Under 5,000 seats): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Paradise
Top Club: 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
Top Amphitheatre: Comcast Center, Mansfield, Massachusetts
Top Promoter: Live Nation
Top Independent Promoter (U.S.): Jam Productions, Chicago
Top Independent Promoter (International): Time For Fun, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Top Manager: Guy Oseary (Madonna's manager)
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Keith Urban, Escape Together World Tour 2009 with KC Masterpiece & Kingsford
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Humanitarian: Kevin Lyman, creator of the Warped Tour
Eventful Fans' Choice Award: Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009
Legend of Live: Ozzy Osbourne
The fifth annual Billboard Touring Awards took place November 20, 2008 in New York City.
Top Tour: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Magic Tour
Top Draw: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Magic Tour
Fans Choice: Kenny Chesney, Poets and Pirates Tour
Top Package: Kenny Chesney, Poets and Pirates Tour
Breakthrough: Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Tour
Top Boxscore: Spice Girls, Return of the Spice Girls, O2 arena, London, December 15 – January 22 (17 shows)
Top Comedy Tour: Katt Williams
Top Festival: Bonnaroo Music Festival
Concert Marketing & Promotion: Jonas Brothers/Burger King, Burning Up Tour
Creative Content: Walking with Dinosaurs - the Live Experience Tour
Humanitarian: Jon Bon Jovi/Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation
Road Warrior: Widespread Panic
Legend of Live: The Allman Brothers Band
The 2007 awards were held on November 15, 2007. Awards were based on box office performance from January 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007.
Top Tour: The Police Reunion Tour
Top Draw: The Police Reunion Tour
Top Package: Kenny Chesney with Sugarland, Pat Green, Brooks & Dunn, and Sara Evans
Breakthrough: Justin Timberlake, FutureSex/LoveShow
Top Boxscore: Prince at the O2 arena, London (21 shows)
Concert Marketing & Promotion Award: Jeep/Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Soul2Soul II Tour
Top Comedy Tour: Larry the Cable Guy
Top Arena: Madison Square Garden, New York City
Top Amphitheatre: Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado
Top Club: 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Top Festival: Download Festival, Castle Donington, England
Top Promoter: Live Nation
Top Independent Promoter: C3 Presents
Top Venue Under 10,000 Seats (non-resident): Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City
Top Venue Under 10,000 Seats (resident): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Paradise
Humanitarian Award: Kevin Wall
Legend of Live: Frank Barsalona, founder of Premier Entertainment
The 2006 awards were held on November 9, 2006 in New York City.
Top Tour: The Rolling Stones, A Bigger Bang Tour
Top Draw: The Rolling Stones, A Bigger Bang Tour
Top Package: Kenny Chesney with Dierks Bentley, others
Top Boxscore: Madonna at Wembley Arena during Confessions Tour, London
Breakthrough Act: Nickelback
Top Comedy Tour: Larry the Cable Guy
Top Arena: Madison Square Garden, New York City
Top Amphitheater: Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, New York
Top Small Venue (Under 10,000 seats, Resident): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Paradise
Top Small Venue (Under 10,000 seats, Non-Resident): Fox Theatre, Atlanta
Top Club: House Of Blues, Atlantic City
Top Festival: Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, Tennessee
Top Manager: Angela Becker and Guy Oseary (Madonna, during Confessions Tour)
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Top Promoter: Live Nation
Top Indy Promoter: Jam Productions
Creative Content Award: Cirque Du Soleil's Delirium
Humanitarian Award: Music Rising
Legend of Live: Sir Elton John
The 2005 awards were termed the Billboard Roadworks '05 Touring Awards.
Top Tour: U2, Vertigo Tour
Top Draw: U2, Vertigo Tour
Top Package: Kenny Chesney with Gretchen Wilson, Uncle Kracker, Pat Green
Top Small Venue Tour: Bruce Springsteen, Devils & Dust Tour
Breakthrough Act: Rascal Flatts
Top Boxscore: U2, Vertigo Tour, Croke Park, Dublin, June 24–27
Top Arena: Madison Square Garden, New York
Top Amphitheater: Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts, Mansfield, Massachusetts
Top Small Venue (non-resident booking): Fox Theatre, Atlanta
Top Small Venue (resident booking): The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Paradise
Top Club: House of Blues, Chicago
Top Festival: Lollapalooza, Grant Park, Chicago
Top Manager: Principle Management
Top Promoter: Clear Channel Entertainment
Top Independent Promoter: Jam Productions, Chicago
Top Agency: William Morris Agency
Humanitarian: Dave Matthews Band
Legend of Live: Jack Boyle of Cellar Door Concerts
The first annual Billboard Touring Awards were held November 8–9, 2004, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, as the culmination of the first Billboard Backstage Pass Conference. The winners were announced in advance of the awards ceremony. The awards were not well known or publicized much during this time.
Top Tour: Madonna, Re-Invention World Tour
Top Draw Award: Prince, Musicology Tour
Top Small Venue Tour: Josh Groban
Breakthrough: Linkin Park
Top Boxscore: Red Hot Chili Peppers, By the Way tour, Hyde Park, London
Top Arena: Madison Square Garden, New York City
Top Amphitheater: Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts, Mansfield, Massachusetts
Top Club: House of Blues, Chicago
Top Festival: Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, Tennessee
Top Manager: Caresse Henry (for Madonna)
Top Promoter: Clear Channel Entertainment
Top Indy Promoter: Jam Productions
Top Agency: Creative Artists Agency
Humanitarian: Clear Channel Entertainment
Legend of Live: Michael Cohl
