Packing 80,000 screaming fans into Notre Dame stadium is nothing new. Only these fans weren’t there to cheer on the Irish. These fans came for the unforgettable voice and performance of Zach Bryan, one of country music’s biggest names.
Gates opened at 5:00 p.m. The inclusion of Shane Gillis, a comedian known for edgy humor, as an opening act provided an unexpected but welcome prelude to the rest of the evening. The comedy relaxed the crowd and provided a smooth transition to Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy, who thanked Notre Dame for raising the Irish flag, noting, “We’re all home.”
When Bryan took the stage at 9:05 p.m., he moved seamlessly from raw acoustic to longtime favorite songs. The crowd sang along to “Something in the Orange,” “Heading South,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” and “Revival.”
For many fans, seeing so many people united by his lyrics provided moments of intense emotion.
“It was truly such an incredible and heartwarming experience as we got to wrap arms and sing with the people in our section,” noted Senior Nicole Rafacz.
Every section was packed with fans wearing cowboy boots, blue jeans, and Zach Bryan’s 2025 tour camo apparel that sold out in a matter of seconds. Rather than relying solely on his trademark acoustic sets, Bryan filled the stadium with a larger ensemble, bringing violins, cellos, and horns to his electrifying performance.
The show also made heavy use of visual production. During “Something in the Orange,” lighting effects were lowered over parts of the audience, eliciting roars of excitement. Bryan played until 11:20 p.m., giving a robust solid performance of over 2 hours to his fans.
For many, it will stand out as one of his more memorable stadium performances in 2025. With the tour at its end, fans eagerly await what is next for Zach Bryan.