Billboard has released their yearly list of the big money makers within the music industry. As usual the vast majority of income is from touring, making up 68.9% of all money made and, for the top ten, it was 84.2%.

Madonna’s MDNA tour was the biggest selling one of 2012 and gave her 95.3% of her income. The Queen of Pop has appeared in the annual list twice in 5 years, and will mark the 30th anniversary of her self-titled album later this year. Similarly Bruce Springsteen, who is in at number 2, grossed 92% of his income from touring.



Adele and Taylor Swift placed highly due to their bestselling albums, with Adele recently picking up the Oscar for best song, ‘Skyfall’. Van Halen and Coldplay also made the top 10 as well as Justin Bieber who made a nice chunk from his ‘Believe’ tour.



The Top 20:



01. Madonna ($34.6 million)


02. Bruce Springsteen ($33.4 million)


03. Roger Waters ($21.2 million)


04. Van Halen ($20.2 million)


05. Kenny Chesney ($19.1 million)


06. Dave Matthews Band ($18.9 million)


07. Tim McGraw ($18.3 million)


08. Jason Aldean ($17.6 million)


09. Coldplay ($17.3 million)


10. Justin Bieber ($15.9 million)


11. Adele ($13.9 million)


12. Lady Antebellum ($12.9 million)


13. Celine Dion ($12.9 million)


14. Brad Paisley ($12.8 million)


15. Taylor Swift ($12.6)


16. Carrie Underwood ($11.9 million)


17. Nickelback ($11.1 million)


18. Eric Church ($11.0 million)


19. Rascal Flatts ($10.7 million)


20. Barbra Streisand ($10.6 million)