What Was the Largest Concert Ever? 7 Events by Crowd Size

Stadium concerts, rivaling major sporting events such as the Olympics, stand among the most colossal live gatherings globally. These events often draw crowds ranging from thousands to millions of passionate fans, all eager to witness extraordinary performances. Dive into the details of the largest concert in history, alongside other record-breaking events that have captivated massive audiences.

Current World Record: Jean Michel Jarre in Moscow ( million)

Jean Michel Jarre, unlike many rock bands featured here, is a renowned French composer who gained fame through his keyboard skills and became a pivotal figure in the electronic and techno music genres during the late 1970s and 1980s.

Throughout his career, Jarre has established himself as one of Europe's most sought-after live performers, staging numerous concerts in cities like Paris, France, and Houston, Texas, each drawing audiences exceeding a million.

His most monumental concert occurred in 1997 at Moscow State University in Russia, where an astounding million people gathered, tying the record for the largest open-air concert in history.

Only one other event has come close to rivaling this staggering attendance. Jean Michel Jarre remains the sole artist to consistently break concert attendance records throughout the 20th century.

2. Rod Stewart at Copacabana Beach ( Million)

On December 31, 1993, Rod Stewart performed at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, delivering the largest concert the country had ever witnessed. Official reports estimate the crowd at million, with many fans spread across the beach, far from the stage.

This attendance figure closely rivals Jean Michel Jarre's 1997 record for the largest ticketed concert. Given the enormous crowd sizes and narrow margins, determining which event holds the title of the largest concert ever is challenging. However, some Rod Stewart enthusiasts argue that his Copacabana Beach performance deserves the top spot.

3. Monsters of Rock Concert in Moscow (1.6 Million)

The Monsters of Rock festival, held throughout the 1980s and 1990s, hosted concerts in various global cities. Its largest event took place at Tushino Airfield in Moscow, Russia. This concert holds historical significance as it occurred shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The festival showcased some of the era's most iconic rock bands, such as AC/DC, Motley Crue, The Black Crowes, Pantera, and Metallica. With the release of The Black Album that year, Metallica was ascending to global fame, a fact underscored by the enormous crowd they attracted in Moscow.

4. Love Parade 2008 (1.6 Million)

From the 1990s through the 2000s, Love Parade stood as Germany's premier electronic dance music festival and arguably the most celebrated in Europe. Its pinnacle was in 2008, when the event in Dortmund, Germany, drew an estimated 1.6 million dance music enthusiasts.

The 2008 Love Parade showcased nearly 80 DJs and bands, including renowned acts like David Guetta, Digitalism, Moby, Underworld, and Armin van Buuren.

5. The Rolling Stones at Copacabana Beach (1.5 Million)

Copacabana Beach in Rio has been the stage for two of the largest concerts in history. In 2006, The Rolling Stones performed for 1.5 million fans on the beach. While this number falls short of Rod Stewart's record, it remains the largest concert The Rolling Stones have ever held and a remarkable achievement in its own regard.

6. Live 8 in Philadelphia (1.5 Million)

Live 8 was a global, multi-city festival with events held in London, Berlin, Moscow, Toronto, and Philadelphia, aimed at raising funds for anti-poverty initiatives in Africa. The Philadelphia event was the largest, attracting over a million attendees who gathered in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, spilling into nearby streets.

The Philadelphia concert featured top-tier artists such as The Black Eyed Peas, Destiny's Child, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, Stevie Wonder, and Linkin Park alongside Jay-Z. With such a star-studded lineup, it's no wonder the event became one of the most attended concerts in history.

Honorable Mention: The Largest Country Music Concert

George Strait recently made history with a record-breaking performance at Texas A&M Stadium, drawing over 110,000 fans. This event set the record for the largest single-act concert in U.S. history, surpassing the previous record held by the Grateful Dead, who attracted 107,000 fans in 1977.