Forbes has unveiled “The World’s Highest-Paid Musicians of 2018,” and topping this year’s list is U2.
As Forbes reports, the veteran Irish band’s recently completed Joshua Tree Tour grossed $316 million, becoming not only the band’s most lucrative tour ever, but also the highest-grossing tour of 2018.
“I’ve never had that clichéd view of commerce and culture being different,” said U2 frontman Bono in a recent interview with the magazine. “I always remember Bjork saying to me that her songs, she feels, are like carpentry. Like her friends in Iceland, one of them designs a chair. Is that more beautiful or useful than a song? Well, it depends on the chair. Or the song.”
RELATED: Judge Judy Tops Forbes’ List Of Highest-Paid TV Hosts 2018
Here is Forbes‘ complete list of the year’s 30 highest-earning musicians:
1. U2 ($118 million)
2. Coldplay ($115.5 million)
3. Ed Sheeran ($110 million)
4. Bruno Mars ($100 million)
5. Katy Perry ($83 million)
6. Taylor Swift ($80 million)
7. Jay-Z ($76.5 million)
8. Guns N’ Roses ($71 million)
9. Roger Waters ($68 million)
10. Diddy ($64 million)
11. Beyoncé ($60 million)
12. Kendrick Lamar ($58 million)
13. The Weeknd ($57 million)
14. The Eagles ($56 million)
15. Depeche Mode ($53 million)
16. Pink ($52 million, tie)
16. Luke Bryan ($52 million, tie)
18. Jimmy Buffett ($51 million)
19. Lady Gaga ($50 million)
20. Calvin Harris ($48 million)
21. Paul McCartney ($47.5 million)
22. Drake ($47 million, tie)
22. Jennifer Lopez ($47 million, tie)
22. Foo Fighters ($47 million, tie)
25. Elton John ($46 million, tie)
25. Metallica ($46 million, tie)
27. Garth Brooks ($45.5 million, tie)
27. The Chainsmokers ($45.5 million, tie)
29. Billy Joel ($43.5 million)
30. Rolling Stones ($39 million)