Promising to bring the roof down on Anfield, Zach Bryan stayed true to his word as he delivered a spellbinding performance that combined intimacy with stadium-sized energy.
In what was Bryan’s first-ever visit to Liverpool – as either a performer or a tourist – Bryan was unsurprisingly in inspired form, performing in one of the world’s most iconic venues and one that has welcomed the likes of Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Lana Del Rey and Dua Lipa in the last two years and is set to host the likes of My Chemical Romance and the Foo Fighters in the coming weeks.
Zach Bryan headlined back-to-back nights at Hyde Park in 2025 to considerable acclaim before announcing a four-date stadium show in Liverpool, Edinburgh and back-to-back nights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.placeholder image
Zach Bryan headlined back-to-back nights at Hyde Park in 2025 to considerable acclaim before announcing a four-date stadium show in Liverpool, Edinburgh and back-to-back nights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. | Photo by jrcmccord
However, Bryan, who holds the record for the largest ticketed concert audience in US history, performing in front of an official audience of 112,408 fans at Michigan Stadium in September 2025, the show at Anfield in front of approximately 50,000, which marked the start of his eight-date, all-stadium run in the UK and Ireland, was almost an intimate gathering by comparison.
But, with a rich storytelling element at the heart of his sound, intimacy is something that comes naturally within his music, and it’s a prominent element that’s amplified in a live setting with a formidable live band, featuring a four-piece string quartet and an Oklahoma-based horn section. From shifting from a rawer, acoustic sound to a fuller sound with expanded instrumentation, Bryan is able to reimagine his music, transforming stripped-back country tracks with beefed-up live arrangements and allowing that element of intimacy to blossom even more on the grandest of the stages.
Fittingly, as Bryan prepared to enter the stage, his backing band entered the stage to the backdrop of The Beatles’ ‘Come Together' – a fitting moment of unity that symbolised the band and audience coming together for the love of Zach Bryan’s music, and that unity was expanded even more with several members of the band donning Liverpool FC shirts. From the outset, the strength of community was strong, and by the time Bryan launched into the opening riff of ‘Overtime’ backed with the richness of his horn section, reverb-soaked guitars and some tight drumming, the crowd were rocking.
Zach Bryan headlined Anfield Stadium on Friday, June 12th. The first of eight shows in the UK and Ireland this summer. The shows come after he released his With Heaven On Top album this year.placeholder image
Zach Bryan headlined Anfield Stadium on Friday, June 12th. The first of eight shows in the UK and Ireland this summer. The shows come after he released his With Heaven On Top album this year. | Photo by Christian Evans
The twangy ‘Open The Gate', which included a fuzzed-out rhythm guitar and steady, driving drumming that provided the anchor for the arrangement, was backed by an intense singalong. ‘Appetite’ incorporates a blues-y sound in a live setting with the help of Bryan’s superb horn section. ‘Say Why’ had even more cathartic energy, with a faster tempo, and a sea of voices belting the lyrics back to Bryan, who uttered that he hoped everyone was 'having the best night of their lives”. The bulk of the crowd certainly held that sentiment.
‘Dawns’ transitioned between big, stadium-sized energy in the chorus and the striking, rawness of his acoustic guitar and his vocals in the verses. ‘Heavy Eyes’ was reimagined as a soaring, honky tonk thrill ride with a frantic fiddle part, punchy drumming and a bright acoustic guitar. Yet despite it being a Zach Bryan show, there is zero ego when it comes to the 30-year-old. The artist took a backseat on ‘Drowning’ as his horn section, which he described as "the best horn section in the world", took centre stage. Judging by their performance in Liverpool, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who disagrees with that statement.
‘Something in the Orange’ retained its striking rawness in a live setting, but nevertheless, hearing the electric, communal intimacy of 50,000 singing with Bryan elevated the emotional punch of the song. ‘Fifth of May’ showcased the tight musicianship between the 30-year-old and his band even more as they exchanged solos. ‘Oklahoma Smokeshow’ erupted into a high-energy anthem with thumping drums, punchy guitars and a flawless fiddle solo and was one of the most popular singalong moments in the performance.
Bryan brought the evening to close after performing a muscular rendition of Revival that lasted for ten minutes and featured solos from each of his band members.placeholder image
Bryan brought the evening to close after performing a muscular rendition of Revival that lasted for ten minutes and featured solos from each of his band members. | Photo by Christian Evans
From the joyous jam of ‘Rivers & Creeks’ with the song’s soaring harmonies and the rich horn section to a predominantly solo performance of ‘Burn Burn Burn’ to renditions of ‘East Side of Sorrow’ and ‘Heading South’ that left everyone singing their hearts out, it was impossible not to be awestruck by Bryan’s brilliance. ‘I Remember Everything’ saw Bryan’s acoustic guitar drive the arrangement and one of his backing vocalists break off for a vocal solo, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
As his set-closer, Bryan reimagined ‘Revival’ into a show-stopping party that lasted over ten minutes, providing him with time to introduce his backing band, who all broke off for individual solos and caused Anfield to erupt with a mind-blowing “all-night Revival” singalong. As fireworks filled the Liverpool skyline, Bryan’s promise had been fulfilled, but before he exited, he added the final touch of giving one lucky fan his acoustic guitar.
As a performer, Bryan has successfully mastered the art of allowing his raw, conversational-style lyrics to thrive on the grandest scales by reimagining his music with muscular live arrangements. Moments of emotion are transformed into goosebump-inducing moments that connect with 50,000 people within an instant. “It’s been an honour of a lifetime,” Bryan said during the set for you and me both, Zach.
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