Zach Bryan Makes History with First Concert at Michigan Stadium

Zach Bryan made history on September 27, 2024, by performing the first full-scale concert at the University of Michigan’s Michigan Stadium, known as the Big House. The event marked a significant milestone after years of discussions about bringing concerts to one of the largest sporting venues in the United States. Bryan’s performance not only captivated an audience of over 112,000 fans but also likely set a record for the largest ticketed concert in U.S. history, surpassing George Strait’s previous record of 110,905 attendees.

While an official attendance figure is yet to be confirmed, concert organizers reported that ticket sales exceeded 112,000 shortly after its release on Valentine’s Day. The Big House’s current record for a football game stands at 115,109, achieved during a match against Notre Dame in September 2013.

Decades of Anticipation and Planning

Rob Rademacher, Chief Operating Officer of Michigan Athletics, expressed the desire to host special events at Michigan Stadium for many years. He acknowledged the challenges faced while attempting to secure artists such as Bob Seger and Eminem over the past decade. “We spun our wheels a little bit while we were trying to make this happen,” Rademacher said, highlighting the difficulties in finding the right partners.

The collaboration with AEG Presents, facilitated through Gregg Latterman of the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurship, ultimately led to the successful planning of this landmark concert.

The concert featured an impressive lineup of six acts, with Bryan performing a 27-song set that lasted over two and a half hours. The event transformed the stadium atmosphere, merging the excitement of a home football game with the vibrant energy of a music festival. Fans filled the streets of Ann Arbor, tailgating and celebrating in anticipation of the show.

A Night to Remember

Throughout the evening, Bryan made numerous references to the local area, often mentioning Michigan and the venue. He even adjusted lyrics to songs like “28” and “Boys of Faith” to resonate with the crowd, culminating in a spirited “Go…Blue!” after concluding the main set with “Quittin’ Time.” His connection to the audience was palpable, as he remarked, “Thank you for the best night of my life,” reflecting on the overwhelming turnout.

Bryan’s set included collaborations with notable artists such as John Mayer, who joined him for a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil.” The surprise appearance of the duo War & Treaty added to the excitement, delivering a powerful rendition of “Hey Driver,” which they also featured on the studio version.

Despite a light-hearted gaffe where Bryan referred to one of his band members as being “from the great state of O-Hi-O,” which drew boos from the crowd, the atmosphere remained electric.

The concert concluded with an encore of “Revival,” stretching nearly 25 minutes and featuring a fireworks display that punctuated the night. Rademacher noted the significant interest in future events following the success of Bryan’s concert, stating, “Since this concert was announced, we’ve gotten a lot of calls. And we’re answering those.”

This historic performance may pave the way for more concerts at the Big House, fulfilling a long-held dream of fans and organizers alike.