2025: Coldplay and Oasis Rocked Live Shows; Vinyls are 15% More Demanded

As 2025 draws to a close, the music industry is reflecting on a year defined by two seemingly opposing forces: the gargantuan, high-tech spectacle of global stadium tours and a grassroots, tactile obsession with vinyl records. While streaming remains the dominant utility for music consumption, the "Year in Review" data suggests that the modern consumer is increasingly seeking out the extremes of the musical experience—either the shared euphoria of a 90,000-capacity arena or the intimate, analog crackle of a turntable at home.

The financial narrative of the year was undoubtedly written by Coldplay and the triumphant return of Oasis. Together, these two British powerhouses accounted for over $1 billion in ticket sales, proving that despite rising costs of living, the demand for "event" music has never been higher. Simultaneously, the physical market saw a historic surge, with Canada posting its strongest vinyl sales figures since the early 1990s, driven by a cross-generational mix of collectors and a new wave of audiophiles.

The Year of the Stadium Super-Tour

Coldplay reigned supreme as the undisputed kings of the road in 2025. Their 'Music of the Spheres World Tour' officially became the highest-grossing rock tour in history, surpassing $1.5 billion in total revenue since its 2022 inception. In 2025 alone, the band grossed an extraordinary $464.9 million, fueled largely by a record-breaking 10-night residency at Wembley Stadium that saw over 900,000 fans pass through the gates. The tour’s emphasis on sustainability and immersive production has set a new benchmark for how legacy acts operate in the modern era.

However, the cultural "main event" of the year was the reunion of Liam and Noel Gallagher. The 'Oasis Live '25' tour was a statistical behemoth, grossing over $400 million across just 41 shows. The "scramble" for tickets became a global news story in its own right, with 14 million fans reportedly vying for just 1.4 million initial spots in the UK and Ireland. The tour successfully bridged a generational gap, with Gen Z listeners—who were barely born when the band split in 2009—joining original Britpop fans to create some of the most electric atmospheres seen in live music in decades.

Canada Leads the Vinyl Renaissance

While the stadiums were loud, the record stores were busy. 2025 marked a definitive peak for the vinyl revival, particularly in North America. In Canada, vinyl sales grew by an estimated 15% year-over-year, reaching levels not seen since the heyday of the 'Nevermind' era. This resurgence was led by a "perfect storm" of high-profile releases, including Lady Gaga’s 'MAYHEM', Sam Fender’s 'People Watching', and the continued dominance of Taylor Swift’s back catalog.

Industry analysts at Statistics Canada noted that vinyl now accounts for approximately 13% of all recorded music sales in the country, effectively making it the only growing physical format as CDs and digital downloads continue to fade. The demographic shift has been equally notable; independent record stores in cities like Toronto and Vancouver report that young women and teenagers now represent the fastest-growing segment of the market, viewing vinyl not just as an audio format, but as a tangible piece of "merchandise" and a way to support artists directly in the age of streaming.