Despite not dropping a full album for the first time in four years, 2025 has been nothing short of a rollercoaster for Zach Bryan. Between hitting massive career milestones—like selling his catalog for a jaw-dropping $350 million and ranking as the eighth highest-selling country artist ever according to the RIAA—he’s also navigated his fair share of drama.

Even leaving behind last year’s messy breakup with Barstool’s Brianna Chickenfry, Bryan found himself in hot water multiple times in 2025. He drew criticism for telling a 14-year-old fan to “GOMD” after skipping a meet-and-greet at MetLife Stadium and even got into a near altercation with singer Gavin Adcock at the Born & Raised Festival. It’s been a year full of highs, lows, and public scrutiny—but Bryan capped it off in spectacular fashion in Michigan.

Back in February, he announced a historic show at the University of Michigan’s Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor—the first-ever concert at the Big House—featuring John Mayer, Ryan Bingham, the Texas Gentlemen, and Joshua Slone. The stadium boasts a massive capacity of over 107,000, and when tickets went on sale, they sold out in hours. Bryan celebrated the milestone on social media, calling it “the biggest ticketed show in American history” and thanking fans for their support.

On the night of the show, Bryan delivered. With over 112,000 fans in attendance—a new U.S. record surpassing George Strait’s previous mark of 110,905 at Texas A&M—he treated the crowd to a historic 27-song setlist. From fan favorites like “Overtime,” “Something in the Orange,” and “Oklahoma Smokeshow” to his new Kings of Leon collaboration, “Bowery,” Bryan left no stone unturned.

The night reached a special peak when Bryan brought out John Mayer for a surprise performance of the Grateful Dead classic “Friend of the Devil.” Though it was Bryan’s first time playing the song live, the choice felt natural—he referenced it in his gold-certified 2023 single “Deep Satin,” and Mayer has been a staple of the Dead & Company lineup since 2015. Bryan even flubbed the chorus, joking, “I told y’all I wouldn’t mess this up, but here we are,” yet the crowd embraced every note.

With jet flyovers, stunning opening sets from Mayer, Bingham, and Slone, and the energy of a packed stadium rivaling any Big Ten football clash, the night was nothing short of historic. Mistakes aside, the performance was a testament to Bryan’s rise, his love for music, and his ability to captivate an audience of unprecedented scale.