As we approach the end of 2014, it’s natural for music fans to reflect on which songs or albums made the most memorable impressions. A favorite song or artist for the entire year will vary from person to person, but there are areas that are objective when determining the biggest successes of 2014.
Although we won’t know the top grossing album or touring artist of 2014 until the end of the year, or the top grossing tour, oddsmakers can provide a reasonable prediction of what to expect. The odds for top grossing album and touring artist are listed, featuring some expected names in addition to some more surprising ones.
The Top Grossing Album of 2014?
To little surprise, Vegas believes the top grossing album of 2014 will either be the “Frozen” soundtrack or Beyoncé’s self-titled album, which are at 1/2 and 2/1 odds respectively to be the top grossing album of 2014. Lorde’s sophisticated pop release Pure Heroine (10/1) and Iggy Azaelea’s album The New Classic (14/1) marked newcomers on the pop scene, while some familiar names in Katy Perry’s Prism (4/1) and Coldplay’s Ghost Stories (12/1) are also top grossing possibilities.
The Top Tour of 2014?
One Direction continues to rack up legions of obsessive fans, making them Vegas’ favorite to be the top grossing tour of the year at 2/1. George Strait is second at 4/1 by continuing to be a dominant force in the country scene, while other genres represented include hip-hop (Jay-Z and Beyonce at 6/1), pop (Justin Timberlake at 10/1, Bruno Mars at 18/1), and classics (Billy Joel at 8/1, Paul Simon & Sting at 12/1, Elton John at 13/1, Springsteen at 14/1).
We won’t know for certain the specific top grossing album or tour of 2014 until next year, but Vegas’ predictions are often accurate enough to at least gauge the biggest musical success stories of the year several months in advance. One thing is for certain: 2014 has been a year full of eclectic artists, with both newcomers and familiar faces alike releasing successful material or touring to popular demand.
