History Made at Michigan Stadium
Zach Bryan wrote history on Saturday evening as the first artist to play at the Michigan Stadium for an audience of 112,408. This massive concert not only broke records but also set a new standard for live music events.
The Concert Details
The concert featured special guest John Mayer and support from Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentlemen and Joshua Slone. The event was the largest ticketed show in US history, generating a staggering $5 million in sales. This achievement is a testament to Bryan’s popularity and the draw of his live performances.
Breaking Records
The previous record for the largest concert audience was held by Country superstar George Strait, who drew 110,905 people in Texas in 2024. Strait also held the third place with an audience of 104,793 on the same 2024 tour in New Jersey. The second-largest concert audience was at a Grateful Dead concert in 1977 at Raceway Park in New Jersey, with 107,019 attendees, according to Billboard’s Touring chart.
The Largest Concert Audiences in History
While Bryan’s concert was the largest ticketed event, the largest concert audience in history was a free New Year’s Eve show in 1994 on Brazil’s Copacabana Beach, with an estimated 3.5 million people. Other notable large concerts include those by Jorge Ben (3 million, 1993), Lady Gaga (2.1 million), Madonna (1.6 million, 2024), and the Rolling Stones (1.5 million, 2006). However, these were all free concerts, making Bryan’s achievement even more impressive.
The Venue
The Michigan Stadium is the largest stadium in the United States and the third largest in the world. While it has previously hosted other sporting events, such as football games and college and professional hockey games, this was the first time an artist had led a concert in "The Big House."
Zach Bryan’s Success
Bryan recently signed with Warner Records and sold his publishing catalog in a contract with a combined value of $350 million, according to sources. His most recent album, "The Great American Bar Scene," was released on July 4, 2024, and debuted with 17 of its 19 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles charts in its first charting week. This success is a reflection of Bryan’s talent and dedication to his craft.
