Tim Mosenfelder, Getty Images

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! When Bono and co. wrapped their 360 tour in July, it became the highest-grossing and biggest ticket-selling tour in the history of the music business, according to Billboard. While U2 are known for their stadium-sized riffs and larger-than-life fame, they now officially hold the title for the biggest band in the world – at least as far as tours go. The magazine reports that their 360 outing raked in $736,421,586 over the course of it’s three-year run. Take that, Rolling Stones.

The tour was an exercise in hugeness. “As time moves on and we get further away from it, it actually seems more impressive than when you’re actually in the middle of it,” sayd Arthur Fogel, Live Nation Global Touring chairman. “It just leaves a tremendous sense of accomplishment, and is without a doubt one of the greatest experiences in the business that I’ve ever had.”

The 360 tour was as all-encompassing as its name suggests. The jaunt generated $293.3 million in box office and close to three million tickets sold during the Billboard calendar year alone, which ran from Nov. 1, 2010 to Nov. 8, 2011. Fogel shoots down the notion that the 360 tour is somehow different from the majority of tours in the industry.

“I don’t subscribe to the theory at all that somehow this tour is its own animal,” he says. “This is what drives our business, this is what gets people excited about going to shows, this is what proves that we are the real deal as an industry. When you can capture the attention and imagination and enjoyment of seven million people, that’s what this business is all about.”

With album sales on a constant decline, U2′s high (though obviously nowhere close to standard) grossing numbers are certainly refreshing. And mind-boggling.

Thanks for the report to Spinner.com

When it wraps up this week,will have been seen by over 4.7 million fans world-wide before launching 2011 with their record breaking performances in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Announced today by Big Concerts and Live Nation, the South African tour will be sponsored by 8ta, the mobile brand powered by Telkom.

Also announced, in keeping with their long-standing tradition, U2 will welcome two very special support acts to their shows in South Africa including local legends Springbok Nude Girls and African superstars Mariam and Amadou for both South African performances.

Formed in the winemaking town of Stellenbosch, South Africa, the Springbok Nude Girls burst onto the indie music scene in the late-90’s championing an eclectic approach to rock music that instantly struck a chord with the University crowd around their hometown. Making unabashed use of vintage keyboard effects and liberally blasting out funked-up trumpet hooks whether they’re playing tongue-in-cheek reggae-dub or thrashing out an all-out rocker, it’s always unmistakeably the ‘Nude Girls’. Their in-the-pocket grooves have kept the Nudies bringing down the house wherever they play. Springbok Nude Girls is: Arno Carstens – Vocals; Theo Crous – Guitar & Backing Vocals; Adriaan Brand – Trumpet & Keyboards; Arno Blumer – Bass; Franscious Kruger – Drums

Over the last few years big-selling albums such as ”Welcome to Mali” and ”Dimanche à Bamako” have taken Amadou and Mariam on an epic journey that has made the couple the best-selling – and best-loved – act to come out of Africa this century. From the dusty streets of Bamako to the main stage of Glastonbury to the FIFA World Cup opening, the duo have performed with the likes of Damon Albarn, Manu Chao and the Scissor Sisters and have been enthusiastically embraced by Western rock fans. One minute they’re touring the US with Coldplay and the next minute, Pink Floyd guitar legend David Gilmour is sitting in with them on stage in London for Crisis. They recently played the Nobel Peace Prize concert in honour of Barack Obama. Their unique mix of unforgettable pop melodies and contagious rhythms driven by Amadou’s bluesy electric guitar and the compelling interplay of their two voices have its roots deeply planted in Africa.

With a cylindrical video system of interlocking LED panels, and a steel structure rising 150 feet from the floor over a massive stage with rotating bridges, U2 has truly created an intimate 360º experience for concertgoers. With its unique staging configuration, U2 360° has excellent sight-lines throughout the stadium.

Commenting on the 8ta tour sponsorship, Mr. Amith Maharaj, Managing Executive of 8ta responded: “we are very proud to part of the biggest concert dates to be staged in South Africa. This being the first sponsorship of our new network, we believe that this sets the precedent that we mean business! Since its launch, 8ta has grown swiftly and our involvement with this concert tour confirms our arrival as a major South African brand.” Maharaj went on to say that “this is truly a once in a lifetime concert and that 8ta is very excited to be involved. These concerts will be something to remember for a long time!”

The South African dates are produced by Live Nation Global Touring in association with Big Concerts (a Live Nation partner). The tour is sponsored by 8ta, and the media partners are 94.7 Highveld Stereo, 94.5 KFM and MNET.

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