BIGHIT MUSIC announced on the 24th that BTS’ “ARIRANG” World Tour has risen to No. 1 in cumulative worldwide tour revenue through the third quarter. According to statistics released by Pollstar, a trade publication specializing in the live entertainment industry, the tour achieved this result based on cumulative ticket sales from November 13 of last year to August 12 of this year.
BTS’ “ARIRANG” World Tour, which kicked off in April, has drawn 2,314,140 attendees across 38 shows. Ticket sales reached approximately 637 billion won (more than $470 million), the highest among global tours during the same period.
This achievement officially surpαѕѕed the record set by Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter Tour,” the most successful tour of last year with approximately 557.4 billion won in revenue. The city with the highest number of tickets sold on BTS’ current tour is Las Vegas, U.S. Across four shows held there in May, the group attracted 245,691 attendees and generated approximately 91.1 billion won in ticket revenue.
BTS will begin the South αмєяι¢αn leg of their world tour with a show in Bogotá, Colombia, on the 2nd of next month. Just ahead of the tour’s launch, however, a new detail has surprised fans!
According to images and information circulated among fans on the 26th, the Argentina show will feature Anita B Queen, also known as Ana Belén Kim, as the telonera — the opening artist. Meanwhile, Katalina Schwarz, also known by her stage name Kata Schwarz, will appear in Chile. This makes Argentina and Chile two special stops on the South αмєяι¢αn leg, as BTS will have local artists serving as opening acts.
This is considered an almost unprecedented case in BTS’ performance history and the only instance of its kind on the “ARIRANG” World Tour. At their previous concerts, BTS had never had another artist perform as an opening act before taking the stage themselves.
The inclusion of local opening acts this time is reportedly due to specific regulations in the two South αмєяι¢αn countries.
In Chile, the “Ley del Telonero” (law promoting Chilean music) stipulates that concert promoters bringing foreign artists to the country must have at least one Chilean artist perform as an opening act in order to qualify for an IVA exemption on ticket revenue. DG Medios, the promoter of BTS’ Chile concert, is taking advantage of this benefit by including a local artist in the lineup. In Argentina, when a foreign artist performs, the law requires an Argentine artist or group to be hired as the opening act.
Importantly, the selection of these artists has resonated deeply with the fanbase, drawing widespread approval.
Anita B Queen is an Argentine artist of кσяєαn descent who was previously a member of Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso’s band. A DJ and producer by background, she works across genres including House, Afro-Latin, Hip-hop, Trap and Electronic music. Anita has performed at Lollapalooza and Primavera Sound, opened for DJs such as Skrillex and Fred again.., and has also performed at the Monumental stadium.
Meanwhile, Katalina Schwarz is a well-known DJ/producer in Chile’s underground electronic scene and has been active for more than 10 years. She has performed at Boiler Room Santiago and various international festivals, while also gaining experience on major stages. With her signature techno/electro sound, Kata Schwarz’s set is expected to fit the role of a Local Support DJ Set, helping build up the atmosphere before BTS takes the stage.
As the news spread, fans found themselves with yet another reason to look forward to the upcoming South αмєяι¢αn shows, reacting:
- I just had the doubt pop up but now it's clear. Love that they got women as opening acts. Enjoy it a ton. This tour must be amazing!!!
- It's a great law! All countries should do it! It allows for discovering local artists and in some cases promoting the country's culture
- I actually enjoy this news. It will be so fun and they will probably watch it too and be hyped
- I love that BTS is giving talented local female artists a platform! This is such a beautiful way to support local culture
- Both women are incredibly talented. I’m so excited to see what they bring to the BTS shows
- Anita and Kata are both so talented! I hope even more people discover their music through these shows
- This makes the South αмєяι¢αn leg even more exciting. I can’t wait to see these amazing women warm up the crowd for BTS
- BTS bringing attention to talented female artists from Argentina and Chile is such a great thing
- The lineup is getting more exciting by the day! I’m so ready for BTS and these incredible local artists
