The latest Billboard Boxscore report, published last week (Dec. 23), reveals a strong November for touring comedians, even as major stars in rock and hip-hop filled stadiums. While Paul McCartney topped the overall touring charts, Nate Bargatze led the comedy circuit, marking his fifth month at No. 1 and fourth consecutive month in the top spot.
Comedy on the Rise
Billboard launched a dedicated comedy hub earlier this year, tracking the performance of touring comedians. Previous leaders like Sebastian Maniscalco, Matt Rife, and Weird Al Yankovic have all held the top position, but Nate Bargatze has emerged as a dominant force, consistently drawing large audiences.
Bargatze’s November Success
Nate Bargatze grossed $13.2 million from 182,000 tickets sold across 13 shows in November. This represents his fourth consecutive month exceeding $10 million in revenue, and he remains the only comedian to achieve eight-figure grosses for four months running. His November tour included back-to-back performances in Seattle, Portland, Tampa, Charlotte, and Greenville, with the first four cities alone generating over $2 million in revenue.
The November report also highlights the growing popularity of stand-up comedy as a major touring draw. Ricky Gervais made his first appearance on the monthly ranking, indicating a broader range of comedians attracting significant audiences.
The full November Boxscore report provides a detailed breakdown of the top-grossing comedy tours, offering a comprehensive look at the current state of the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What month did Nate Bargatze first reach the No. 1 spot?
Nate Bargatze first reached the No. 1 spot in May, and has since returned to the top for August, September, October, and November.
How many shows did Nate Bargatze perform in November?
Nate Bargatze performed a total of 13 shows in November.
Besides Nate Bargatze, who else appeared on the November comedy tour rankings?
The report included rankings for the top five comedy tours of November, and noted that Ricky Gervais made his first appearance on the monthly ranking.
As the touring landscape continues to evolve, will Nate Bargatze maintain his position at the top, or will another comedian emerge as a leading force in live entertainment?
