10 Most Crowded Music Concerts in History

Music concerts have been a staple of entertainment for decades, and fans have flocked to see their favorite artists perform live on stage. While attending a music concert can be an exhilarating experience, some concerts have attracted crowds that were simply massive. In this article, we’ll take a look at the ten most crowded music concerts in history, where tens of thousands of fans came together to witness their favorite performers.

10 – Woodstock (1969) (400,000 People)

Woodstock (1969)
Woodstock (1969)

Woodstock, held in August 1969, was one of the most iconic music festivals in history. The event was held on a farm in Bethel, New York, and attracted an estimated crowd of 400,000 people. The festival featured performances by some of the biggest names in rock music at the time, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Janis Joplin, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Despite being marred by rain, logistical issues, and other challenges, Woodstock was an unforgettable experience for those who attended. The festival came to symbolize the countercultural movement of the 1960s, and its legacy continues to inspire musicians and fans around the world. Woodstock was a celebration of music, peace, and love, and it remains a powerful reminder of the role that music can play in bringing people together and inspiring positive change in the world.

09 – Toronto SARS Benefit (2003) (450,000 People)

Toronto SARS Benefit (2003) - Most Crowded Music Concert in History - Most Crowded Music Concerts
Toronto SARS Benefit (2003)

The Toronto SARS Benefit in 2003 was a major music event that raised funds for the fight against the SARS outbreak that had hit the city earlier that year. The concert was held on July 30, 2003, at the Air Canada Centre in downtown Toronto, and featured a range of high-profile performers, including the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Rush, and Justin Timberlake. The concert was broadcast on television and radio, reaching a global audience of millions. The event raised over $17 million for SARS relief efforts, and helped to boost morale in the city during a difficult time. The concert was also seen as a way to demonstrate that Toronto was still open for business and to encourage tourism to the city.

08 – Simon & Garfunkel in Central Park (1981) (500,000 People)

Simon & Garfunkel in Central Park (1981)
Simon & Garfunkel in Central Park (1981)

The concert was held on September 19, 1981, and was attended by an estimated 500,000 people, making it one of the largest concerts in New York City’s history. The concert was a reunion performance for the duo, who had split up in 1970, and the event was also a fundraiser to help restore Central Park, which had fallen into disrepair at the time. Simon & Garfunkel performed a variety of their most popular songs, including “The Sound of Silence”, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, and “Mrs. Robinson”. The concert was filmed and later released as an album and a concert film, both of which received critical acclaim and have become beloved classics.

07 – Summer Jam at Watkins Glen (1973) (600,000 People)

Summer Jam at Watkins Glen (1973) - Most Crowded Music Concerts
Summer Jam at Watkins Glen (1973)

The Summer Jam at Watkins Glen in 1973 was a legendary music festival that attracted a record-breaking crowd of over 600,000 people. The event was held on July 28, 1973, at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Raceway in upstate New York, and featured performances by The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, and The Band. The festival was a massive logistical undertaking, with organizers having to build an entire city on the raceway grounds to accommodate the massive crowds. Despite some early setbacks, including a massive traffic jam that delayed many concertgoers, the festival was a huge success. The performances were electrifying, and the atmosphere was one of peace, love, and camaraderie. The Summer Jam at Watkins Glen was a defining moment in the history of rock music and a testament to the power of music to bring people together in celebration of life, love, and music.

06 – Isle of Wight Festival 1970 (600,000 People)

Isle of Wight Festival - Most Crowded Music Concerts
Isle of Wight Festival

The Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 drew a staggering 600,000 attendees. Held on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom, the festival featured performances by The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and The Doors, among others. It was Hendrix’s final official concert performance.

05 – Steve Wozniak’s 1983 US Festival (1983) (670,000 People)

Steve Wozniak's 1983 US Festival (1983)
Steve Wozniak’s 1983 US Festival (1983)

Steve Wozniak’s 1983 US Festival was a groundbreaking event that brought together some of the biggest names in music, technology, and culture. The festival was organized by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and held over Labor Day weekend in 1983, in San Bernardino, California. The event featured three days of concerts, with different genres of music on each day. The first day was dedicated to new wave and heavy metal, the second day was for rock music, and the final day was for country music. The festival also featured a technology expo, showcasing the latest and most innovative tech products and services. With a total attendance of over 670,000 people, the US Festival was one of the largest and most successful music festivals of the 1980s. Despite some organizational and financial challenges, the festival was a testament to the vision and creativity of its founder and continues to be remembered as a landmark event in music and culture.

04 – Garth Brooks in Central Park (1997) (750,000 People)

Garth Brooks in Central Park (1997)
Garth Brooks in Central Park (1997)

Garth Brooks famously performed a free concert in Central Park in 1997, which attracted an estimated crowd of over 750,000 people. The concert was part of a series of shows Brooks was doing to promote his album “Sevens”. Despite heavy rain, Brooks played for over two hours, covering a range of his popular songs, and even performed an impromptu rendition of “I Will Always Love You” in tribute to Whitney Houston, who had passed away earlier that year. The concert is often considered one of the largest and most successful in music history, and cemented Garth Brooks’ status as one of the most popular country music performers of all time.

03 – New York Philharmonic in Central Park (1986) (800,000 People)

New York Philharmonic in Central Park (1986)
New York Philharmonic in Central Park (1986)

In 1986, the New York Philharmonic gave a free concert in Central Park, attended by a massive crowd of over 800,000 people. The event was part of the Philharmonic’s 125th anniversary celebration, and was led by conductor Zubin Mehta. The concert featured a range of classical music pieces, including Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture”, which was accompanied by fireworks. The concert was a huge success, and attracted a diverse audience, including many who had never attended a classical music concert before. The event was seen as a way to make classical music more accessible and to bring the art form to a wider audience. The concert was also broadcast on television and radio, reaching millions more viewers and listeners around the world. The New York Philharmonic’s performance in Central Park in 1986 remains a significant moment in the history of classical music and a testament to the power of music to bring people together.

02 – Jean Michel Jarre,Oxygen, Moscow (1997) (3,500,000 People)

Jean Michel Jarre,Oxygen, Moscow (1997)
Jean Michel Jarre,Oxygen, Moscow (1997)

French electronic music composer Jean-Michel Jarre’s concert in Moscow, Russia in 1997 attracted over 3.5 million people. Additionally, the event was held in the Red Square and marked the 850th anniversary of the city.

01 – Rod Stewart at Copacabana Beach (1994) (3,500,000 People)

Rod Stewart at Copacabana Beach (1994) - Most Crowded Music Concerts
Rod Stewart at Copacabana Beach (1994)

The event was a massive success, attracting over three million fans and setting a new Guinness World Record with 3.5 million people for the largest free rock concert in history. The concert featured a mix of classic and new songs from Stewart’s repertoire, including “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Have I Told You Lately.” The concert was also broadcast live on television and radio, reaching millions more viewers and listeners around the world. The event was seen as a way to promote tourism to Rio de Janeiro and to celebrate the city’s vibrant music culture. Stewart’s performance on Copacabana Beach was a testament to the power of music to bring people together and to create unforgettable memories. The event continues to be remembered as one of the greatest concerts in rock history.

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Are crowded music concerts safe?

Crowded music concerts can pose a risk to the safety of attendees, especially if proper precautions are not taken. In the past, there have been instances of overcrowding, stampedes, and other incidents that have resulted in injuries and even deaths. However, organizers of crowded music concerts take various measures to ensure the safety of attendees, such as limiting the number of tickets sold, providing adequate security and medical assistance, and ensuring that the venue is suitable for the number of people attending.
The most crowded music concerts in history have attracted massive crowds of music lovers from all over the world. From Woodstock to the Rolling Stones, these concerts have left a lasting impression on the fans who attended them. However, it is important to note that while attending a crowded music concert can be an exhilarating experience, it is also important to take precautions to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.