Pollstar is a website that keeps track of all concert tours and venues; including how they rank. For the past 35 years, Pollstar has been honouring the best with their annual Pollstar Awards.
Metal rockers Metallica won the Rock Tour of the Year award at the ceremonies on February 7 in Los Angeles. Drummer Lars Ulrich accepted the award for the band. They beat out the Foo Fighters, Blink-182, Bruce Springsteen, Paramore, and Dead & Company for the honour.
Speaking on the win, Lars Ulrich said, “42 years ago, we started not too far from here. Our little rock and roll band started over in Downey. And we were outsiders, misfits, disenfranchised, trying to figure out what the f*** was up down and sideways.
“I was 17; James was 18. And the idea that we could win awards like this 42 years later would at that time seem so f***ing preposterous and just, like, a total mindf***.
“To be in the same category as artists like Bruce Springsteen and The Grateful Dead and to go on a tour like we’ve just been on this year where we’ve played actually a couple nights over at SoFi which is literally, literally down the street from where we started is totally f***ing crazy.
“So, the fact that we’re still around and functioning, or somewhat functioning, I’m very grateful for. But the fact that hard music, heavy music is still such a force to be reckoned with, and that the fans and even the mainstream audience has embraced it over the last three or four decades is totally, totally crazy cool. So, thank you to all the fans and the industry for that.”
Comedian and actor Tom Papa hosted the event.
Howard Rose was presented with the inaugural Pollstar Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the music industry. His presentation included a video message from Sir Elton John.
Executive Chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment Co James L Dolan was presented the inaugural Visionary Award for his contributions and (hopeful) impact on the live entertainment industry.
Other winners of the 35th annual Pollstar Awards:
Major Tour of the Year: The Eras Tour by Taylor Swift
Hip-Hop Tour of the Year: If Y’all Weren’t Here, I’d Be Crying Tour by Post Malone
R&B Tour of the Year: Renaissance World Tour by Beyonce
Pop Tour of the Year: Summer Carnival Tour by P!nk
Country Tour of the Year: One Night at a Time Tour by Morgan Wallen
Latin Tour of the Year: Mañana Será Bonito Tour by Karol G.
Comedy Tour of the Year: It’s a Celebration Tour by Dave Chappelle
Support/Special Guest of the Year: Brandi Carlile with P!nk
Residency of the Year: U2 at the Sphere
Family Event or Non-Music Tour of the Year: Cirque du Soleil – Corteo
New Headliner of the Year: Jelly Roll
Global Music Festival of the Year with over 30,000 attendance: Austin City Limits Festival in Austin, TX
Global Music Festival of the Year under 30,000 attendance: The Ohana Festival in Dana Point, CA
International Music Festival of the Year: Glastonbury Music Festival in Somerset, UK
Nightclub of the Year: 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.
Theatre of the Year: Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN
Arena of the Year: Moody Center in Austin, TX
Outdoor Concert Venue of the Year: Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, CA
Stadium of the Year: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA
Casino/Resort Venue of the Year: Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT
New Concert Venue of the Year with over 5,000 capacity: Sphere in Las Vegas, NV
New Concert Venue of the Year under 5,000 capacity: The Salt Shed in Chicago, IL
International Venue of the Year: The O2 Arena in London, UK
Venue Executive of the Year: Jeff Nickler at the Moody Center in Austin, TX
Talent Buyer of the Year: Amy Corbin of C3 Presents
Small Venue Talent Buyer of the Year under 10,000 capacity: Donna Busch of Goldenvoice
Promoter of the Year: Louis Messina of Messina Touring Group
International Promoter of the Year: Arthur Fogel of Live Nation Global Touring
Agent of the Year: Adam Kornfield of Independent Artist Group
International Booking Agent of the Year: Emma Banks of Creative Artists Agency
Booking Agency of the Year: Wasserman Music
Global Independent Booking Agency of the Year: High Road Touring
Rising Star Award: Molly Warren of Live Nation
Personal Manager of the Year: John Silva of Silva Artist Management
Road Warrior of the Year: Jerome Crooks for Tool, Duran Duran, and Billie Eilish
Transportation Company of the Year: Rock-It Cargo
Concert Visuals Company of the Year: Brandit Lites
Concert Sound Company of the Year: Clair Global
Tour Services Company of the Year: Dega Catering
Brand Partnership/ Live Campaign of the Year: AMC for the Taylor Swift Eras Tour Theatrical Exhibition
Marketing/PR Executive of the Year: Allison McGregor for Creative Artists Agency
feature photo credit: Pollstar Facebook page