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Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'If there was a roof on the Phoenix Park, Zach Bryan would've blown it off'
If there was a roof on the Phoenix Park, Zach Bryan would've blown it off. The country singer performed to more than 60,000 on the first of his three nights in the Dublin park on Friday night. It's the first time that Phoenix Park has hosted such a large-scale event since Ed Sheeran in 2018. The Grammy-Award winning star was greeted by a rapturous applause from tens of thousands of sweating fans as the sunshine came beating down on the gig. Zach entertained fans with hits including Something In The Orange, Pink Skies and Heading South. A day before the gig, Zach was spotted arm wrestling a local in The Celt in Dublin's inner city centre. He posted the video on his Instagram showing off the arm wrestling match, which saw him win over the pub goer. Speaking earlier in the week, Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions said the Oklahoma star is 'the real deal', comparing Zach, 29, to Bruce Springsteen. He said: '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. 'When you have 180,000 people here, they're going to know the words to every song; it's going to be a very unique, special atmosphere. 'His songs are about heartbreak and loss and all the things that people don't like talking about anymore,' he said. 'Maybe [those] in Dublin aren't aware of him, but people outside Dublin are very well aware of him.' Mr Aiken revealed the demographic of fans who love Zach, saying most of his fans will be aged between 18-35 but only 10% of his tickets were bought in Dublin, according to Aiken Promotions. 'Normally for a big concert, say for Springsteen in Croke Park, 50% of our audience were from the greater Dublin area. For this, it's about 10%,' Mr Aiken 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.' Zach plays to a sell out 180,000 over three nights this weekend until Sunday night. Gardai are advising fans to be mindful of neighbours and the wildlife this weekend. Margaret Gormley, from the Office of Public Works, said: 'Yeah, obviously we don't recommend anyone to feed the deer, and we ask people to stay a minimum of 50 meters away from the deer. They are wild animals. 'We want everyone to enjoy their event, and we do ask everyone to use public transport and to keep to the surface paths within the Phoenix Park. 'The park is over 1700 acres, so we don't want anyone to get lost. We want them to come and have a very enjoyable event. And you know, it is over 180,000 people, so we just ask for everyone to have a great time at the concert, but also to leave no trace and to respect all our neighbours surrounding the Phoenix Park.' Organisers are encouraging revellers to use public transport this weekend. They warned that given that most attendees will be using the Park Gate entrance, they should leave at least 45 minutes to walk to the concert site. Marathon Group is running special concert specific routes from Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin and orbital routes to the Phoenix Park. They will be dropping off in the Phoenix Park and pick up will be in the same place. For those heading to the concerts tonight and Sunday, they are reminded that there is no parking available on the streets surrounding the venue or inside the Phoenix Park.
Dublin Live
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 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. 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The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
US music megastar spotted running from swarm of adoring fans on Dublin street before visiting ‘best bar in Ireland'
AMERICAN country singer Zach Bryan showed off his quickness as he ran down a Dublin street to avoid being swarmed by adoring fans. The hitmaker touched down in Ireland earlier this week ahead of his highly anticipated 2 Zach Bryan was spotted running on Dublin's O'Connell Street 2 Bryan visited The Celt pub The Oklahoma-based country sensation, known for his emotive songwriting, is set to perform to an estimated 180,000 over the weekend. But before hitting the stage to thousands of screaming Irish fans, the star decided to explore A fan on The 29-year-old left a dozen fans in his dust as he busted a gut down the street before turning the corner towards Talbot Street. READ MORE IN ZACH BRYAN And it would seem that Zach was also on a mission to find The Celt pub, which is situated on Talbot Street. The musician even posted a snap of himself inside the pub having an arm wrestle with a local punter. Bryan donned a casual brown shirt and wore a A caption over his Ireland ." MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Later that evening, Bryan shared a photo from the stage in Phoenix Park as he rehearsed for the big shows. He penned: "Lets f****ing go Phoenix Park, three days, three days, three days." Zach Bryan quietly buys Massachusetts mansion for $7.5 million with patios, a green room and stunning waterfront views For those heading to Zach's Dublin shows over the weekend, Aiken Promotions have issued a Fans have been urged to plan ahead and follow strict entry guidelines. The concert chiefs have strongly advised punters attending the shows to use GIG WARNING For early-entry ticket holders, gates open at 4.30pm while general admission begins at 5pm. The show is due to start at 6pm and wrap up around 10.30pm. Fans are also being reminded that the main entrance from Phoenix Park is around a 45 minute walk, so concertgoers should be prepared for a long trek in and out of the venue. The gig will be fully cashless and early queuing is not permitted, while no re-entry will be allowed once you're inside the grounds. There are also strict bag rules in place with only bags A4 size or smaller permitted. Prams, umbrellas, chairs and even items like food, alcohol, bottles, flairs and flagpoles will not be allowed through the gates. U18's must be accompanied by an adult or guardian and children under five are not permitted to attend the gigs. Attendees are also advised to bring photo ID.
Irish Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Irish Daily Mirror
Urgent Zach Bryan warning issued before show as fans told 'bring 2 key items'
Zach Bryan's much-anticipated three-night run at Dublin's Phoenix Park is finally here - and fans are being urged to prepare carefully, as an urgent weather warning has been issued ahead of the gigs. Met Eireann has warned that temperatures could soar to nearly 30C, with the mini heatwave expected to last right through the shows on Friday 21, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June. In response, promoter Aiken Promotions has issued a heat-related alert, urging concertgoers to take precautions for the sweltering conditions. A spokesperson said: "Today is set to be a scorcher. Met Eireann have warned temperatures could hit highs of 29C today." Given the weather, fans are now being strongly encouraged to bring two essential items: "Please keep hydrated, bring your 750ml plastic water bottle so you can refill at the concert (no glass/metal). Don't forget sunscreen!" With around 180,000 fans expected across the three nights, these are set to be the country music star's biggest Irish shows yet. The 29-year-old singer-songwriter's hits include I Remember Everything, Pink Skies and Something in the Orange. Promoters have also reminded attendees to travel light. Those without bags will be fast-tracked through security, while those carrying one must ensure it is no larger than A4 in size. Bags exceeding the limit will be denied entry and cannot be left at the venue. For more on the bag rules, click here. Meanwhile, fans should also be aware that there is an extensive list of banned items that won't be permitted inside Phoenix Park. This ranges from the likes of skateboards and flagpoles, to laptops and even ham sandwiches. You can read the full list here, so double check to avoid disappointment. Separately, for those eager to brush up on their favourite tunes before the show, click here for an expected setlist featuring some of Zach Bryan's biggest hits and fan favourites to get you ready for an unforgettable night at Phoenix Park. For everything else you need to know, including stage times, support acts, the venue map and the weather forecast, head here.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Zach Bryan: Who is he and why is he so popular in Ireland?
Few artists in the history of music and in the space of two years can go from playing in front of 1,200 people to three sold-out concerts in front of 180,000 people. Zach Bryan has filled the gap for a new generation of Irish music fans yearning for American singer-songwriters and storytellers in the same milieu as Bruce Springsteen and Garth Brooks . Both Springsteen and Brooks have been successfully promoted by Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions who would not have gone to such lengths to book a venue as big as the Phoenix Park for Bryan without knowing his audience. The three concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night are the first in the Phoenix Park since 2018. READ MORE Bryan last played here in April 2023 in front of 1,200 people in the Helix. Aiken recalled a meltdown online with some 10,000 fans trying to purchase tickets. Since then, aside from Taylor Swift with 220,000 monthly listeners, Bryan has become the most streamed artist on Irish Spotify. Like Brooks, Bryan is from Oklahoma and sings songs about heartbreak and loss. Despite his 29 years, he has had a lot of the tragedy in his young life – his mother died in 2016 having struggled with alcoholism for much of her life. Bryan spent eight years in the US navy before releasing his first album in 2019. It is only since quitting the navy four years ago that he has become a huge star Bryan is the biggest artist that a lot of Irish people have never heard of. As with Brooks, there is a town and country divide. He's hardly off regional radio and his biggest fan base is, unsurprisingly, in the northern and western parts of the country. Just 10 per cent of tickets to his concerts were bought in Dublin. When the gigs were first announced, locals in the vicinity of the Phoenix Park didn't know if he was a rapper or a heavy metaller, Aiken recalled. [ Zach Bryan at Phoenix Park: Stage times, set list, weather and more Opens in new window ] Bryan is commonly referred to as a country artist, but he doesn't like being pigeonholed in that territory. 'He's come from nowhere. His songs are about heartbreak and loss and all the things that people don't like talking about any more,' said Aiken. 'Maybe [those] in Dublin aren't aware of him, but people outside Dublin are very well aware of him. '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. '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.' [ Zach Bryan: the country music star who has sold out summer concerts at the Phoenix Park Opens in new window ] The weather is set to be fair for the weekend and no rain is forecast. Fans will need to stock up on water and sunscreen with temperatures reaching 25 degrees on Sunday. For most fans it will be a 45 minute walk from the Parkgate entrance of the Phoenix Park to the concert location. Gates will open at 5pm and the support acts, Turnpike Troubadours and Noeline Hofmann, will kick things off from 6pm.
