History of Concert in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 24, 2026

A concert is a live musical performance presented to an audience. These performances can range from a solo musician (recital) to large musical ensembles like orchestras or bands. Concerts occur in diverse locations, including intimate settings such as homes and clubs, medium-sized concert halls, and large venues like arenas and stadiums. Outdoor concerts are common in amphitheatres and parks. Indoor concerts in expansive venues are sometimes referred to as arena or amphitheatre concerts.

1990: Paul McCartney concert in Maracanã Stadium

In 1990, Paul McCartney held a concert in Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro with a paying audience of 185,000. This concert previously held the record for biggest attendance before Vasco Rossi's 2017 concert.

1994: Rod Stewart concert in Copacabana Beach

In 1994, Rod Stewart held a free concert in Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, with an estimated audience of 3.5 million, setting a record for the biggest attendance in a free concert.

2009: Vans' Warped Tour Presented by AT&T

In 2009, the "Vans' Warped Tour Presented by AT&T" took place. Vans and AT&T paid significant amounts for their company names to be included in the marketing material for the Warped Tour.

July 2017: Vasco Rossi concert at Enzo Ferrari Park

On July 1, 2017, Italian singer Vasco Rossi held a concert at Enzo Ferrari Park, Modena, Italy with 220,000 tickets sold, setting a record for the biggest attendance of a ticketed concert.

2023: Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour

In 2023, Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour generated $1.04 billion in revenue, averaging $17.3 million per show. The global live music industry revenue stood at 28.6 billion U.S. dollars.

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