Thu, 01 Jan 2026

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 The Inquiry

How did live music evolve into a billion-dollar business for global stars?
Taylor Swift's concert tour has broken records, becoming the highest-grossing of all time and marking a shift in the music industry. As streaming becomes more prevalent, touring has become a key revenue source for artists, but it requires significant investment and production costs. Experts believe that ticket scarcity is driving up demand and prices, making multi-billion-dollar concert tours possible. This week on "The Inquiry", host Tanya Beckett explores how technology, fan culture, and economics contribute to the success of modern megatours. Contributors include:
* Kevin Kim, Head of Asia at Route Note
* Serona Elton, professor at the Frost School of Music
* Adam Behr, Reader and Head of Music at Newcastle University
* Poppy Reid, music journalist and founder of Curious Media (Photo: Taylor Swift during The Eras Tour. Credit: Erika Goldring/TAS24/Getty Images)
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