Madonna sells over 1m tickets
2008-06-27 20:49
New York - Madonna fans have turned out
in record numbers for her world tour, concert promoter Live
Nation Inc said on Thursday, seeking to knock down reports the
Material Girl is losing her appeal.
The Los Angeles company said Madonna had sold more than one
million tickets - over 90 percent of those available - for
Madonna's 42-date global "Sticky & Sweet" tour, which kicks off
in Cardiff, Wales on August 23.
Live Nation is trying to transform itself into a
comprehensive music company, offering artists recording
contracts and merchandising deals, as well as touring and
access to its live venues.
Madonna was one of the biggest names
the company has signed for a reported $120m contract.
The New York Post reported on Tuesday that Madonna was
failing to sell out certain venues, including a November date
at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles that sold just 27 000 of 43 000 seats.
More than $250m in ticket sales
Live Nation spokesperson John Vlautin confirmed the Los
Angeles numbers, but said the global tour's ticket sales are on
target to gross more than $250m, which would shatter
Madonna's own previous record for a female artist of $195m from "Confessions On A Dancefloor" tour two years ago.
It has been a difficult month for Live Nation, with
speculation mounting on whether the company overpaid to sign
artists such as Madonna and rapper Jay-Z to be part of its new
"360-degree" business model.
Live Nation lost its chairperson, Michael Cohl, last week
after a fallout with Chief Executive Michael Rapino over this
strategy.
Cohl, who was head of Live Nation's artists division,
had wanted to sign artists at a quicker pace, but Rapino wanted
to sign around four to six marquee names a year.
Cohl is now a consultant to the company.
There has also been concern the slowing US economy would
hurt non-essential items such as rock concert tickets, which can
cost up to $200 each for major artists - the larger share of
Live Nation's revenue streams.
Live Nation's management has said it is has seen no impact
from the slowing economy, Vlautin said.