Over 180,000 people to descend on Phoenix Park for US country sensation's gigs
Zach Bryan's trio of gigs will be the first large-scale concert in the Dublin city centre park since Ed Sheeran's 2018 performance.
The Oklahoma-born Grammy-winner (29), who's due to fly in tomorrow, will take to the stage this Friday, Saturday and Sunday to perform to 180,000 fans for his sold-out gigs.
As proof of what a difference two years makes, the last time he performed in Dublin was to a crowd of 1,500 in the Helix in April 2023.
A ring of steel is currently being erected around the site as the Phoenix Park braces itself for its first large-scale concert since Ed Sheeran's 2018 performance.
"He's the real deal. He's not country per se but he's very Springsteen. He's a great storyteller and a very dynamic performer - he has a lot of charisma," said Aiken.
Deer in front of the Papal Cross in Dublin's Phoenix Park. Photo: Marc O'Sullivan
"When you have 160,000 people here, they're going to know the words to every song; it's going to be a very unique, special atmosphere."
Most of his fans will be aged between 18-35 but only 10pc of his tickets were bought in Dublin as he has a huge following outside the capital city.
"Normally for a big concert, say for Springsteen in Croke Park, 50pc of our audience were from the greater Dublin area. For this, it's about 10pc," he said.
"There's a big crowd coming from the North and Donegal, Mayo. There's a big crowd flying in from the States. These big events, more and more, attract overseas visitors. People will like the adventure of coming to a different place."
Asked to put a figure on the value of the trio of gigs, estimated to be many millions of euros, Mr Aiken said he "hadn't a clue."
"It's worth a lot. These big events create - not to be corny - but such happiness. People love these types of things, people who love music and it creates a great atmosphere and hopefully there will be a great atmosphere around town. For many kids, this could be the first big concert they've attended. Zach, to them, is like our Bruce Springsteen and they like the songs. The songs are about heart-break and redemption and hope and loss."
Zach Bryan will perform in Dublin. Photo: Getty
News in 90 Seconds - June 17
The weather forecast for this weekend couldn't be better, with high temperatures and sunny spells in store for concert goers.
More details of the trio of gigs were unveiled at a press conference hosted this morning by the OPW's Margaret Gormley, Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty and Sue Carton, Aiken Promotions event controller.
Superintendent McNutly said they had a "robust policing plan in place" in order to keep everyone safe and ensure they had an enjoyable experience.
People are encouraged to use public transport. Given that most attendees will be using the Park Gate entrance, they should leave at least 45 minutes to walk to the concert site.
Opening acts will be Turnpike Troubadours and Noeline Hofmann and gates will open at 5pm. No early queuing will be permitted.
For the first time, there will be a designated neuro-divergent area, which requires a special ticket. There will also be an alcohol free/family area for those looking for a quieter experience.
The chart-topper, who has amassed more than 21bn streams to date, recently dueted with Bruce Springsteen and the pair shared the cover of 'Rolling Stone.'
Asked about Bryan's stellar success, Aiken said it was an "incredible journey."
"He's come from nowhere. A number of years ago, he was in the Navy, he put a song up on YouTube and the next thing is, he's selling out 1,000 tickets in Dallas or somewhere. He's grown from there," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Dublin Live
an hour ago
- Dublin Live
Gardai issue advice as thousands to descend on Dublin this weekend
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Gardai have urged people to contact them if they "feel unsafe" in Dublin this weekend as thousands are set to descend on Dublin. They have also urged people to plan their journeys well in advance as roads and public transport are set to be packed in the capital. Outside of regular duties this weekend, gardai will be assisting at: Three sold-out Zach Bryan concerts in the Phoenix Park (Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings) The British and Irish Lions v Argentina game at the Aviva Stadium (Friday evening) Four GAA matches in Croke Park (Saturday/Sunday afternoons) The sold out Mary Wallopers concert in Fairview Park (Friday evening) The sold-out Kingfishr concert in Fairview Park (Saturday evening) Two planned public gatherings in Dublin city centre (Sunday afternoon) Gardai have also advised people to anticipate rolling road closures, which will have a likely effect on public transport such as Luas and Dublin Bus services, during the two planned protests on Sunday afternoon. They say they will have its full traffic management plan in place to keep the disruption to a minimum. Assistant Commissioner for Dublin Paul Cleary said: "This weekend is packed with lots of activity and with the summer weather also looking promising, we look forward to helping to welcome thousands of people into Dublin to make the most of their weekend. We want you to enjoy yourselves if socialising or attending any one of the exciting sporting and music events happening in the city, but to please be mindful of others and how your behaviour may impact their experience. "This summer's public events would not be able to go ahead were it not for the Gardaí that will be working above and beyond this weekend and for the remainder of the summer to keep people safe. Should you feel unsafe or need our assistance in any way over the weekend, please contact us or stop anyone of us on our high-visibility patrols across the city, and in an emergency or immediate danger always dial 999/112." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Zach Bryan Phoenix Park map and routes as fans told how to avoid long queues
Zach Bryan's much-anticipated three-night run at Dublin's Phoenix Park is finally here. Around 180,000 fans are set to descend on Dublin this weekend to see the American country singer-songwriter for what's shaping up to be one of the most talked-about music events of the summer. The Oklahoma native, known for his raw lyrics and electrifying live gigs, shot from posting homemade tracks on YouTube to topping the charts with hits like I Remember Everything, Pink Skies and Something in the Orange. His Phoenix Park shows - on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June - mark his biggest performances in Ireland yet and a major jump from playing to smaller crowds at The Helix just three years ago. But before fans grab their cowboy boots and head for the gates, they'll need to plan ahead to avoid getting stuck in long queues. Promoters and officials are urging concertgoers to familiarise themselves with the Phoenix Park site layout, entry points and transport options ahead of time- especially with sold-out crowds expected across all three nights. Here's what you need to know to make your arrival as smooth as possible:. There are multiple entry points into the concert site at Phoenix Park, depending on how you're arriving - either on foot or via public transport. The following gates will be open for entry, with access to all route zones (Gold Circle, Green, Red and Blue): Castleknock Gate Parkgate Street Gate Cabra Gate North Circular Road Gate Note: The Ashtown Gate will be closed for the concert. Follow signage and stewards' directions once inside the park. The site is large, so be prepared for a bit of a walk depending on your entrance and where you're positioned in the crowd. Public transport is strongly advised, as there's no parking available in or around the park. Options include: Train: Heuston Station is within walking distance to Islandbridge Gate. Bus: Dublin Bus routes servicing Phoenix Park include the 26, 38b, 39, 70, 99, C5 and C6 Luas (Tram): Red Line to Heuston, then walk or take a bus If you're using taxis or drop-offs, expect traffic restrictions and delays close to showtime. Marathon Coaches are operating concert-specific routes with drop-off and pick-up directly inside Phoenix Park. Here's where they're running from: Earlsfort Terrace to Acres Rd (Phoenix Park) Balbriggan, Rush and Lusk to Papal Cross Car Park Blessington and Naas to Papal Cross Car Park Dunleer and Drogheda to Papal Cross Car Park Enfield, Maynooth, Leixlip and Celbridge to Papal Cross Car Park Grange Rath, Bettystown, Laytown and Balbriggan to Papal Cross Car Park Navan and Dunboyne to Papal Cross Car Park To book your direct shuttle to the venue, visit Keep in mind, the concert site is around a 45-minute walk from any park entrance - so plan accordingly and wear comfy shoes. General admission begins at 5pm, with support acts expected to start at 6pm. Promoters have warned that bag checks and security screenings will slow entry, so fans should travel light. Those arriving without bags will be fast-tracked through security, while anyone carrying an A4-sized bag will face a search, which could lead to longer queues. For more information on the bag rules, click here. With sunny weather forecast and a buzzing atmosphere expected, getting in early means less stress - and more time to enjoy one of country music's biggest stars under the open skies of Phoenix Park. Download your ticket in advance - reception may be patchy Bring ID if you're picking up tickets or using age-restricted areas Stay hydrated and bring an empty 750ml plastic water bottle to refill at water points (no glass or metal allowed). Check the banned items list here to avoid having belongings confiscated.
Dublin Live
4 hours ago
- Dublin Live
Zach Bryan Phoenix Park tickets, banned items, stage times, transport, weather, and everything you need to know
The Phoenix Park is set to welcome country chart-topper Zach Bryan for a series of three gigs this weekend. Over 180,000 fans expected to flock to the park for his sold-out shows. The Oklahoma native, known for his raw, poetic songwriting and electrifying live shows, rose from posting homemade tracks on YouTube to topping the charts with hits like I Remember Everything, Pink Skies and Something in the Orange. His Phoenix Park shows - on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 of June - mark his biggest performances in Ireland yet and a major jump from playing to smaller crowds at The Helix just three years ago. The last time he performed in the capital, it was to a modest crowd of 1,500 at the DCU venue back in April 2023. Aiken Promotions, who are managing the concert, have confirmed that a robust security barrier is currently being installed around the Phoenix Park stage, as it prepares for its first large-scale concert since Ed Sheeran's performance in 2018. Here's all you need to know if you're one of the hundreds of thousands heading to the shows this weekend. When and where is it happening? Zach Bryan will be performing three gigs at Phoenix Park in Dublin on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 20-22. Are there any tickets remaining? The concerts on Friday and Saturday are completely sold out, but at the time of writing, there are a limited number of tickets available for Sunday on There are also a limited number of resale tickets available. Those attending the concert with children are encouraged to buy tickets for the designated alcohol-free family area. Each individual wishing to enter the area will require a ticket. What are the gate and stage times, and who are the supporting acts? The event is set to kick off at 6pm, with gates opening at 5pm, and wrapping up around 10.30pm. The main entrance from Phoenix Park is a 45-minute walk, so attendees should brace themselves for a lengthy stroll. Those holding early access tickets can gain entry from 4.30pm, and the concert grounds will remain open for entry until 9pm. Two support acts, including Turnpike Troubadours and Noeline Hofmann, will warm up the crowd for the country singer, with gates opening at 5pm. Early queuing will not be allowed. What transport options are there? With an anticipated 180,000 fans descending on Phoenix Park over the weekend for the concerts, significant traffic disruption is expected in the surrounding areas. Concert-goers are strongly encouraged to utilise public transport where possible, as parking will be severely limited and local access restrictions will be enforced around the park. The majority of attendees are predicted to use the Park Gate entrance, meaning roads around Parkgate Street, Conyngham Road and the North Circular Road are likely to be particularly congested, especially before and after the concerts. Gardaí have implemented a comprehensive traffic and policing plan to manage the crowds and ensure safety, but drivers should anticipate delays and consider alternative routes if travelling near Phoenix Park on Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening. Concertgoers are advised to allow ample time for their journey. It's suggested to factor in at least 45 minutes to walk from public transport stops to the concert site itself. Luas: Broombridge Luas Station is approximately a 30-minute walk from Phoenix Park, while the Luas stop at Heuston Station is about 40 minutes from the park's centre, or roughly 9 minutes from the park gates at Chesterfield Avenue. Train: If you're taking the train, Heuston Station is your best option. From there, you can catch a bus from Parkgate Street, or walk-it's about 45 minutes on foot to the concert site, and around 9 minutes to the park gates. Bus: Dublin Bus services such as the 26, 38b, 39, 70, 99, C5 and C6 all serve Phoenix Park. Private coach and minibus services are also operating from various locations nationwide, and these will park inside the park. Bus Éireann is providing special services from Cork, Limerick and Galway. The Marathon Group will be running dedicated concert buses from Earlsfort Terrace and other routes that will drop you inside the park. Car: There's no parking near the venue or inside Phoenix Park itself. Gardaí will have a traffic management plan in place, and Dublin City Council will clamp or tow cars that are parked illegally. If driving is your only option, try to carpool and use park and ride facilities (such as Red Cow, M3 Parkway, Navan N51, Cheeverstown, Carrickmines or Stillorgan). If you park in a city centre car park, double-check the closing time. Drop-off/Pick-up: Drop-offs can be made at the Dublin Zoo car park, where stewards will be on hand. For pick-up, it's the same spot, but whoever's collecting you needs to be inside the park by 9.30pm. What will the weather be like? Dublin's weather this weekend will bring plenty of dry spells with sunshine, though showers are possible at times. Friday will be very warm with highest temperatures of 19 to 26 degrees in light to moderate southeasterly or variable breezes with some showers appearing in parts of Dublin. Saturday will be warm, with temperatures reaching 19 to 23 degrees, and will see a mix of cloud and sunny spells along with scattered showers-some of which could be heavy or thundery, especially coming up from the south. On Sunday, it will feel a bit fresher, with highs of 16 to 21 degrees, and similar conditions of sunshine, cloud, and a few showers in a moderate westerly breeze. What songs will Zach Bryan perform? Zach Bryan has only performed a handful of concerts so far this year, so the setlist for his Phoenix Park shows is still under wraps. However, his recent headline slot at Stagecoach Festival 2025 in April gives fans a good idea of what to expect. That set featured a mix of emotional ballads, fan favourites and big singalong moments - although setlists often vary from show to show. Here's what he played at Stagecoach 2025: Overtime Open the Gate God Speed Blue Jean Baby (First time played live) Whiskey Fever 28 Fifth of May Oklahoma Smokeshow Dawns Motorcycle Drive By Tourniquet Lawyers, Guns and Money (Warren Zevon cover - Introduced as his favorite song of all time) East Side of Sorrow '68 Fastback Oklahoma City Purple Gas (Noeline Hofmann cover - with Noeline Hofmann) If She Wants a Cowboy American Nights Pink Skies Something in the Orange The Good I'll Do Heading South Snow (Dedicated to Read Connolly's dog who is sick) I Remember Everything (with Willow Avalon) Nine Ball Hey Driver Heavy Eyes Burn, Burn, Burn Quittin' Time (Extended horns/strings intro – The Godfather theme) Encore: 30. Revival What is security like and what items are banned? For the gig, it's best to travel light and only bring the bare necessities. You're allowed a small bag (A4 size or smaller), your mobile with your pre-downloaded ticket, ID, sun cream, weather-appropriate attire (a raincoat or rain mac is suggested as brollies are not allowed), an empty 750ml plastic reusable water bottle (no metal bottles), and comfy shoes, as the trek from the entrance to the venue will take at least 45 minutes and the event is fully standing. Don't bring bags larger than A4, grub, beverages, booze, brollies, any type of chair, prams, scooters, skateboards, laptops, cooler boxes, hampers, or professional cameras (small 35mm cameras are fine). Selfie sticks, flag poles, large banners, or any item that could block views or jeopardise safety are also prohibited. The concerts at Phoenix Park in Dublin are completely cashless events. Gig-goers are advised to bring a card or digital payment method for any purchases, as cash won't be accepted. This includes transactions for merchandise, food, and drinks. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
