In The Money - Madonna's Sticky and Sweet show was the highest-earning tour of 2008, taking $281.6m (£193m) worldwide, according to music trade publication Pollstar. It also became the eighth highest-grossing tour of all time in North America, Pollstar said.
Celine Dion's gigs were 2008's second-biggest earner, taking $236.6m (£162m). The Canadian balladeer's Taking Chances show visited 24 countries - compared to Madonna's 17 - and marked her first world tour for eight years. Both singers' concerts were directed by choreographer Jamie King, who was also responsible for the Spice Girls' reunion tour.
Rocking on and on - Status Quo have been named the hardest-working band of 2008 by the Performing Rights Society. More than 300,000 fans attended 35 arena concerts by the group, putting them ahead of Take That, who played 34, Kaiser Chiefs, Sugababes and the Spice Girls.
Fringe funding - Organisers of one of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe's biggest events have admitted it could be pulled as a result of a funding crisis. Fringe Sunday organisers are seeking a sponsor to rescue the event, which has been running for nearly 30 years. Soaring costs and the failure of the Fringe box office last summer are being blamed for putting it in jeopardy. The cost of running the event has risen by 16% to £70,000. A sponsor must be found by early February. A spokesman for the Fringe said, "A review of all Fringe events and activities, including Fringe Sunday, is currently taking place and a final decision has yet to be made on the staging of the event."
Record-breaking News - Musical film Mamma Mia! has become the UK's biggest-selling DVD of all time, according to official figures. It is the first disc to sell more than 5m copies - placing it in one in four UK households. The Abba-themed movie was the number one DVD of 2008, with its closest rival The Dark Knight making 1.5m sales. The Official Charts Company's (OCC) all-time DVD list of the last decade sees Mamma Mia! surge ahead of previous top seller Pirates of the Caribbean.
Royal News - Prince says he wants to release three albums in 2009 - without the help of a record label. The musician told the LA Times he was in "final negotiations" with a major US retailer to distribute the music, which will also be made available online.
(Jim Evans)
