One Direction, George Strait, Luke Bryan Dominate StubHub Concert Ticket Sales

StubHub's 2014 Dominated By Country

ONE DIRECTION and Country music dominated concert ticket sales, according to figures supplied by STUBHUB to AD AGE.

Though SIMON COWELL's 'X Factor" alums sold the most. GEORGE STRAIT and LUKE BRYAN were #2 and 3, respectively.  STRAIT's farewell show was so popular on STUBHUB that the gross box office total for that concert was more than individual dates by BRYAN and #4 JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE combined.

"I don't think we realize how huge Country music is," STUBHUB lead rep GLEN LEHRMAN told AD AGE. "Traditionally, we think of pop music as the one that is going to drive the most interest in ticket sales -- BEYONCE, KATY PERRY, LADY GAGA.  GEORGE STRAIT didn't do that many dates, but his last concert ever (at AT&T STADIUM in ARLINGTON, TX) was by far one of the biggest events we had in 2014."

According to LEHRMAN, farewell and reunion tour, like STRAIT's, proved particularly popular, according to company data.

"There's a nostalgia factor," he observed. "If you look at CHER, the audience that goes to see her is the baby boomer audience. Her ticket prices are higher that many others, but her fans don't mind because they have the most means. BACKSTREET BOYS and NEW EDITION are appealing to moms in their 30s and 40s. It's an excuse for a night out."

Concert ticket sales for the year were otherwise fairly flat, according to LEHRMAN, who forecasts a comeback year in 2015, with U2, COLDPLAY, ADELE, FOO FIGHTERS and TAYLOR SWIFT all planning or rumored to be on the concert trail, along with country superstars LUKE BRYAN, GARTH BROOKS and MIRANDA LAMBERT.

"In 2014, we didn't see the caliber and amount of big concerts," he added. "That's going to change in 2015."

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