Delaney Hibbits
Arts and Entertainment Editor
On March 15, Zach Bryan brought red dirt country back to life when performing at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Between new releases and debut album classics, Bryan had a sold-out venue in the palm of his hand.
Before music, Bryan served seven years in the Navy which he mentions is part of his writing inspiration. Now, the 27-year-old singer-songwriter from Oklahoma is on his fourth major tour, “Quittin’ Time.” His raspy voice and deep-cutting lyrics are enough to bring entire stadiums to tears.
Bryan’s concert was filled with popular songs, new releases, surprise guests and audience interactions. He opened his set with “Overtime” which set the mood and gave the crowd time to warm up before the intensity heightened.
The crowd could be heard blocks away with the number of fans singing every word. Bryan continued to share stories and anecdotes that acted as a muse for specific songs. His performance of “God Speed,” released in 2019, was one way to tell the long-term fans apart from the TikTok audience.
Along with his well-known songs that many hear on the radio, Bryan performed two songs that are currently unreleased. The first, “The Great American Bar Scene,” is set to be on his next album. However, “Sandpaper,” the second song, had never been performed before so the live debut occurred at the Prudential Center.
These two glimpses into Bryan’s future work were enough to prove that his career was just beginning. Bryan does not show any signs of stopping or falling into trends but stays true to himself in terms of themes and effort.
The most memorable part of the night was Bryan’s performance of “Heading South.” The crowd awaited the twang of the guitar when Bryan began talking to a fan in the crowd. Within seconds, the fan joined the artist onstage as he started playing the beginning chords of the hit song.
With the rest of the band and approval from the crowd, the young man continued to play and remained onstage for the duration of the song. Bryan applauded the fan and gave him the guitar as a keepsake for his legendary rendition.
Bryan finished out the regular setlist and returned for a one-song encore where he introduced the members of his band. The encore song, “Revival,” is the definition of energy and good vibes. For the ten minutes Bryan sang, fans continued to cheer, sing and clap as if the last two hours only lasted five minutes.
Overall, Bryan has proven to be a force in the country music industry with number-one hits, award nominations and sold-out shows in America. His ability to remain close to his roots and avoid the persuasion of society has made him more famous and likable to fans. This concert was a clear “I made it” moment.
