Country music fever swept Anfield yesterday for Zach Bryan's show, but for someone who likes to think they have their finger on the pulse of pop culture, I had no idea about his music when he was announced as the first headline act of Anfield summer concerts. The series of gigs at the home of Liverpool FC has become a highlight of the city's social calendar.
Why Zach Bryan Connects with Fans
Some of the biggest acts of all time have played Anfield in recent years, including The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, and Taylor Swift. My eyebrows were raised when I saw Zach Bryan was to follow in their footsteps in 2026. However, the surprise was due to my own blind spot, as a quick search on YouTube and Spotify reveals the country star's immense popularity. Although I have eclectic taste in music, country music had bypassed me.
I've been aware of how country has gradually seeped into UK mainstream culture, but it's interesting to see how it speaks to young Scousers. Many attended the show on June 12, including aspiring musician Louis Gibney. The 19-year-old from Litherland has posted covers of Zach Bryan songs for 210 days leading up to the concert, hoping to be invited on stage for a duet of Heading South.
Relatable Themes
Louis told the ECHO that the relatable themes in Zach's songwriting strike a chord with people from Liverpool. He said: 'His songs are about togetherness. There's a song called Revival, which is about going out on a Friday night and enjoying yourself. Even songs about breakups. Everyone has been through experiences like that with a girl.'
Joshua Preshous, 23, from Durham, was in attendance with his younger brother Zach. The two are huge Liverpool fans, and Joshua said watching the musician in such meaningful surroundings was special. He said: 'He's the greatest of all time for me. Being able to stand on the pitch at Anfield where I've watched legends play and just look around. Wow. What an experience.'
Proposal at Hyde Park
Zach's music struck such a chord that Joshua proposed to his fiancee at the country star's Hyde Park show last year. He said: 'There was a certain song that meant a lot to me and her. Unfortunately, it didn't come up so I ended up proposing during Revival. My adrenaline was through the roof.'
Lydia Lally and Cameron Slivoskei also spoke about their love for Zach Bryan. The two met at university but only recently discovered their shared passion. Cameron, from Utah, said: 'There's no better crowd than a country music gig. His lyrics really matter to me and he's got a good vibe.' Lydia, from Manchester, added: 'It's the vibes. When he's doing Revival, everyone is dancing. He brings everyone together.'
A Night of Unity
The spirit of unity and togetherness was on show at Anfield as country took over L4 in style. While I may not have known much about Zach's music when the gig was announced, an afternoon speaking to his fans opened my eyes to why people connect to his songs. The strong bond fans feel is an indicator of why songs like Something In The Orange have over 1 billion streams and he can fill a huge stadium like Anfield. Maybe it's time to expand my own country music knowledge beyond Islands In The Stream.
