2014: The Results

We've arrived at the end of 2014 – a year that has its fair share of comebacks (from Ride to Monty Python to S Club 7), UK-spanning comedy tours, breakthrough shows from the likes of Royal Blood, George Ezra and Keisza as well as the announcement of THAT run at Wembley Stadium from the unstoppable Ed Sheeran. But what were the biggest events of the year according to our 13 million UK users?

Here’s our rundown of the year’s biggest and best, determined by Ents24’s direct ticket sales data for events occurring between Jan 1st and Dec 1st, 2014 (In the case of biggest tours and events) and for direct ticket sales between Jan 1st and Dec 1st 2014 (in the case of biggest sales).

The winners are…

Biggest comedy tour of 2014: Lee Evans - Monsters

In a year that also saw comedy titan Lee Evans announce his impending retirement from comedy, his Monsters tour saw him traverse the country one last time, including yet another slew of shows at London’s O2 arena - a venue he’s visited so often it must feel like a second home.

Biggest comedy ticket sales in 2014: Kevin Bridges - A Whole Different Story

…and far be it from us to suggest that Mr Bridges is poised to pick up the comedy baton from the outgoing Mr Evans, but it’s his forthcoming 2015 tour that got more Ents24 users excited than any other. At the time of writing, mere scribblings of tickets were still available, so try your luck here while you still can.

Biggest music tour of 2014: One Direction - Where We Are tour

What’s left to say about global pop phenomenon One Direction that hasn’t already been said? Well, for starters, they can add ‘Biggest music tour of 2014’ to their list of awards and accolades - and they get an extra high five from us for donating £600,000 of ticket proceeds on this tour to Cancer Research. Directioners are already looking to the newly announced On The Road Again live tour, which went on sale recently. Check in here to see if you still have a shot at hearing some of the Best Songs Ever.

Biggest music ticket sales in 2014: Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott

To many, Paul and Jacqui’s days fronting The Beautiful South marked a high point for British songwriting, so it’s no surprise that their reunion on this year’s new album “What Have We Become” re-lit a fire in so many fans, leading to the duo selling more tickets via Ents24 in 2014 than any other artist. At the time of writing, they’re on the road delighting those very people in fact.

Biggest family event of 2014: Disney on Ice

Disney on Ice is a production that has been astounding crowds since 1981 – making it older than much of its’ audience! That said, the combination of stunning skaters and timeless characters from Disney’s archives have served to keep the show fresh - especially with the inclusion of songs and characters from Frozen in this year’s show. It continues to tour the UK in 2015, with tickets available here.

Biggest family event sales of 2014: Dynamo Live

This year, Dynamo’s performed his most impressive trick yet - whilst simultaneously popping up across a variety of channels and charity events, he’s managed to make vast amounts of tickets disappear. His 2015 tour has sold at a rate that’s nothing short of magic - not that we’re accusing him of anything…

Biggest festival/ensemble tour of 2014: Kerrang! Tour 2014

What do you get when you cross Limp Bizkit with an ‘actual’ goblin (Nekrogoblikon)? Our best selling ensemble tour of the year. Rock fans leapt on the opportunity to ‘break stuff’ nationwide and make the most of one of the UK’s foremost rock and metal magazines ability to pull together a killer lineup.

Fastest selling event of 2014: Kevin Bridges

Finally, the biggest accolade of the year goes again to Kevin Bridges, whose tickets have flown out of the door faster than any other event this year - now THAT’S a story.

But of course, that’s not the WHOLE story. What was your favourite show of 2014? Any surprise discoveries/long awaited reunions? Drop us a note at blog@ents24.com about your favourite event of 2014 with the details (artist/event name, venue, date), and a few sentences about it, and we might include it in our ‘People’s Roundup’ next week. Include a pic of yourself at the event if you have one!