For a concert business struggling to sell tickets in a wobbly economy, the world’s biggest touring stars are roaring to the rescue: The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, and Lady Gaga are among the blockbuster acts likely to tour in 2012. 

Another reason for optimism: A new group of stars led by Adele are on the brink of graduating to arenas this year; included in that group are the Black Keys, Mumford & Sons, and the Zac Brown Band.

“New headliners are coming into the mix that may tour more frequently and have the ability to have a pretty good long run. That’s what the industry needs more than anything,” Andy Cirzan, vice president of concerts for Chicago’s Jam Productions tells Rolling Stone.

The Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have yet to confirm whether the Stones will return to the road for their 50th anniversary. “Whatever they do, whether it’s with Mick Taylor and Bill Wyman or not, they’re going to do business,” an unnamed source tells Rolling Stone. “The question is, do they spend 10 nights in New York and a few other big markets, or do they do a full-fledged tour with all the travel stuff?” Stay tuned to find out.

Madonna
“[Madonna’s] Arena dates are booked. It’s a slam-dunk,” a source tells Rolling Stone.  Madonna has already opened up about the Super Bowl halftime show, a late-March album and the lead single, “Give Me All Your Love,” with guest spots by M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj.

Lady Gaga
The Lady’s already talking up the set design for her next blow-out tour. While last year’s Born This Way didn’t sell quite as many albums as her debut, Gaga remains bullet proof on the road.

Bruce Springsteen
The E Street Band will hit the road behind The Boss’ 17th studio album, starting with a 2-month U.S. leg in March. No word yet on how the band will address the death of saxophonists Clarence Clemons.

Adele
Music’s biggest new star has sold almost 5 million albums in the U.S., but when she canceled her fall tour with vocal problems, promoters feared the worst. But vocal-cord surgery went well in November, and she embarks on her first American arena tour later this year.

Radiohead
Why did Radiohead wait nearly a year after The King of Limbs to tour? One key reason: The band wanted veteran sideman Clive Deamer as its second drummer to handle the album’s complex rhythm parts, but he was already booked by Portishead. Chris Hufford, the band’s co-manager, says, “They actually didn’t know how, or even if, they could perform those songs live. It worked out brilliantly.” Expect the band to break out even newer material from the DVD Live from the Basement.

Van Halen
With David Lee Roth back on board, Van Halen will tour through 2012 in support of a new LP – the first full-length with their original frontman since 1984. As on their 2007-08 reunion trek, Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang, will take over for founding bassist Michael Anthony.

Red Hot Chili Peppers
After hitting Europe and Latin America behind last year’s I’m With You, the Chili’s will finally rock U.S. arenas in their first tour with new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Bassist Flea states, “Josh has opened up new pathways for us to take in our show. It feels like we’re [bleeping] on fire, man!” Tickets are priced at $35-$70. “People don’t have as much discretionary income, perhaps, as they used to. We’re not the most expensive ticket in town, we try to price things rationally,” says the band’s manager Cliff Burnstein.

The Eagles
After touring in 2010 and the beginning of 2011, the Eagles are returning to the road for their 40th anniversary. The milestone has led the veteran country rockers to dig through their archives. “Everybody’s seen our show, so we have to put together something new,” says guitarist Joe Walsh.