Stones’ No Filter European tour grosses $238m
The Rolling Stones’ recent No Filter European tour, which wrapped up in Warsaw on 8 July, grossed nearly US$238 million from 28 sold-out shows, the latest Billboard figures reveal.
In total, the Stones shifted 7,802,307 tickets worth $237,802,307 throughout the tour, which kicked off in Hamburg last September, visiting Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden throughout the autumn, before returning for a second run through the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Germany, France, the Czech Republic and Poland in May–July.
Two shows at London Stadium alone brought in more than $20m, according to Billboard’s 4 August Hot Tours. The 2018 leg earned $117,844,618, adding to 2017’s $119,957,689.
The tour was produced and promoted by AEG/Concerts West, along with several local promoters.
The first leg of the No Filter tour – which bypassed the UK owing to a lack of available venues – generated $158m from 14 shows.
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“I had goosebumps”: No Filter tour touches down in Hamburg
The Rolling Stones kicked off their No Filter European tour in Germany on Saturday, playing to 82,000 people in Hamburg, in the first show in the 366-acre Stadtpark since Pink Floyd in 1989.
In addition to the surprise inclusion of tracks not heard live in more than a decade (‘Under My Thumb’, ‘Play with Fire’, Goats Head Soup’s ‘Dancing with Mr D’), the two-and-a-half-hour show was notable for its huge production – featuring multiple large video screens and, following a ‘Gimme Shelter’–’Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ encore, fireworks – giant, 1,600sqft stage and 12 grandstands, each seating more than 26,000 people.
Christian Wiesmann, event director of show promoter FKP Scorpio, comments: “To see how, after the intense planning over four months, it all came together, and how the excellent cooperation with all parties involved – the Hamburg-Nord local authorities, the police, the fire brigade, [public transport company] HVV, [ambulance/aid provider] ASB and [sanitation service] Stadtreinigung – is absolutely great. It is only possible to hold an event of this scale in such a special place if we all pull together 100%.
“From an organiser’s point of view, I can only say that we are very satisfied with the outcome. What a sensational concert, what a band […] It was an honour.”
“I have organised concerts and big festivals for over 25 years, and am not easily impressed – but tonight I had goosebumps”
Folkert Koopmans, FKP’s CEO, describes the show as being truly special – even for a 25-year veteran of the live industry. “It was the express wish of the band to appear in the Stadtpark in Hamburg and to begin their European tour here,” he comments. ”
“This concert was very special for me. I have organised concerts and big festivals for over 25 years, and am not easily impressed – but tonight I had goosebumps.”
The No Filter tour is produced by AEG’s Concerts West and promoted in Germany by FKP Scorpio and DEAG. The next German dates are in Munich on 12 September and Dusseldorf on 9 October, with the tour also visiting Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and France – but not the UK, where the band say there is a shortage of venues.
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Stones won’t visit UK as there are ‘no venues’
The Rolling Stones’ upcoming No Filter European tour won’t include a UK leg – as there aren’t any available venues.
Writing on social media yesterday, the band apologised to British fans, saying they “cannot play UK dates on this run due to lack of available venues because of sporting fixtures”.
They add, however, that “we hope to be here in 2018”.
The No Filter tour, produced by AEG’s Concerts West and promoted in partnership with various local partners, will visit Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and France this autumn, kicking off on 9 September at the at the 365-acre Hamburg Stadtpark.
It is the Stones’ first concert trek since 2016’s América Latina Olé tour of Latin America, which concluded last March with a landmark show in communist Cuba.
“I’m so excited to be touring Europe this autumn,” comments frontman Mick Jagger, “and returning to some familiar places and some we’ve never done before.”
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