Lady Gaga broke the record for the highest-attended concert by a female artist when over 2 million people attended her concert in Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Saturday. Could such a concert even be held in Massachusetts? Here’s a look at the biggest concerts and concert venues in the Bay State.
People attend Lady Gaga's open concert at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 3, 2025. What is the biggest concert in Massachusetts history? The biggest concert in Massachusetts history was singer Ed Sheeran at Gillette Stadium on July 1, 2023.
Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For that event, 71,723 attended Sheeran’s concert, which broke the single-show attendance record at Gillette. However, if you count orchestral concerts, the Boston Pops free concert on the Esplanade on the Fourth of July has attracted over 500,000 attendees. What are the biggest concert venues in Massachusetts?
Gillette Stadium (Foxboro) Concert capacity: 65,878 (depending on stage size) Brian Johnson, left, and Angus Young of AC/DC saluting those who were about to rock May 4 at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough. Gillette transforms from a football stadium to a huge concert venue in the warmer months, hosting artists from Beyonce to Kendrick Lamar. It was the first NFL stadium Taylor Swift ever headlined, and she gave three performances in The Eras Tour there in May of 2023.
While she’s played 13 shows at Gillette, it’s country star Kenney Chesney that has played the venue more than any other: at least 24 times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While 65,878 is the football capacity, depending on the stage size it's possible for the event space to fit more people. Fenway Park (Boston) Concert capacity: 37,755 Since 2003, at least one concert has been held at Fenway Park thanks to the Fenway Concert Series.
Last year, artists like Noah Kahan and the Foo Fighters performed at the iconic baseball stadium. This year, the season kicks off May 29 with Shakira. Xfinity Center (Mansfield) Concert capacity: 19,900 Third Eye Blind is set to perform July 13 at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield The Xfinity Center in Mansfield is an outdoor amphitheater that features open air seating and a lawn.
It has 7,000 reserved seats, 7,000 lawn seats and 5,900 general admission seats. This year, performing artists include Halsey, Wiz Khalifa, and the Doobie Brothers. TD Garden (Boston) Concert capacity: 19,600 Aerosmith's Steven Tyler performs during the Boston Strong benefit concert at the Boston TD Garden in Boston, May 30, 2013.
Proceeds from the concert will go to the One Fund, which was established in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings to help survivors and victims' families. It’s currently Celtics season, but the TD Garden hosts concerts of all types year round. This summer, artists like Tyler the Creator, Gracie Abrams and Stevie Nicks will take to the stage.
DCU Center (Worcester) Concert capacity: 14,800 WORCESTER – Guitarists Dave Murray, left, and Adrian Smith perform with Iron Maiden at the DCU Center Monday, October 17, 2022. This indoor arena located in downtown Worcester holds a range of shows. Since the building was opened by Frank Sinatra in 1982, it has hosted the likes of Aerosmith, Elton John, and Madonna.
Other Massachusetts venues Agganis Arena (Boston): 7,200 Blue Hills Bank Pavilion (Boston): 5,000 Leader Bank Pavilion (Boston): 5,000 Roadrunner (Boston): 3,500 Orpheum Theatre (Boston): 2700 Boston Opera House (Boston): 2,677 Symphony Hall (Boston): 2,625 House of Blues Boston (Boston): 2,200 Shubert Theatre (Boston): 1,500 Jordan Hall (Boston): 1,051 This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: What are the biggest concert venues in MA? Taylor Swift played at one
