CONCERT REVENUES DIP STONES, MCCARTNEY TO DO BETTER.

Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer

Ticket revenue from the top 100 concert tours in North America plunged 17 percent in the first half of 2005 versus a year ago, despite sold-out tours by U2, Green Day and Rod Stewart, according to data released Wednesday by trade publication Pollstar.

First-half ticket revenue totaled $730.9 million, while the average price per ticket declined 6.1 percent to $50.27. Pollstar editor-in-chief Gary Bongiovanni expects the second half of the year to be stronger, with the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney taking to the road and U2 returning for a fall leg.

``From the industry perspective, things are much better than they seem. The shows that are out there are doing good business,'' said Bongiovanni, also noting that ticket sales declined for the first time in a decade.

Of the top-grossing shows in the first half of the year, U2 brought in $48.4 million with an average ticket price of $96.94, and Celine Dion grossed $43.9 million with an average ticket price of $136.70.

Last year, concert promoters were caught with an overzealous lineup, forcing many to cut back this year, Bongiovanni said. ``So the foolish money offers in the past have been scaled back and promoters are being more conservative.''

But that doesn't mean local clubs are seeing a decline in performances. Bruce Duff, director of publicity at the Knitting Factory Hollywood, said he has yet to witness a significant slowdown. ``Maybe there are a few less bands on tour but nothing shocking.''

If anyone is feeling the effects of a decline in concert revenue, it's probably the artists. Promoters are responsible for negotiating deals with artists, which obviously decline in value when revenue slows down, said Jeff Dorenfeld, former manager of the band Boston and an associate professor at Berklee College of Music.

``But just because revenue is down, profits can still be up,'' he said. ``What kills a show is when the promoters' guarantees are too high.''

For most promoters, that all depends on how they package a show. It is also a result of whether or not a promoter owns the concert venue.

``The difference today is that many promoters do own concert venues, and that helps them bring in a lot more money,'' Dorenfeld said.

In Southern California, promoter and entertainment company Clear Channel Communications owns the Wiltern, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater and the Hyundai Pavilion at Glen Helen. For the full year in 2004, the San Antonio-based company reported a profit of $845.8 million compared with a profit of $1.1 billion in 2003.

Evan Pondel, [phone]

evan.pondel(at)dailynews.com