Last night, country star Zach Bryan broke the record for the largest ticketed concert in U.S. history at Michigan Stadium, a.k.a. “The Big House,” in Ann Arbor, MI. Midway through his set, he brought out John Mayer, who opened the show, to sit in on “Friend of the Devil” by the Grateful Dead, who previously held the same record for over 45 years.

Bryan reportedly sold 112,408 tickets for the concert, surpassing the record set by George Strait in 2024 when he performed for 110,905 fans at Kyle Field at Texas A&M in College Station, TX. That show narrowly dethroned the Dead, who had earned the title in 1977, selling 107,019 tickets for their historic concert at Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ, though estimates for actual attendees at that show have ranged as high as 175,000.

In a fitting nod to the longtime record-holders, Bryan debuted the Dead’s “Friend of the Devil”, which he called one of his favorite songs ever, with help from Mayer, whom he introduced as “one the best guitar players to ever walk the earth.” After playing an extended guitar solo on the surprisingly twangless Grateful Dead cover, Mayer stuck around for “Better Days”, a song off Bryan’s 2024 album The Great American Bar Scene that featured Mayer on guitar and backing vocals. Bryan later welcomed The War and Treaty out to play their 2023 collaboration “Hey Driver”.

Watch John Mayer play “Friend of the Devil” by the Grateful Dead with Zach Bryan at the largest ticketed concert in U.S. history below. The show marked the last stop on Bryan’s sparse 2025 tour schedule—not a bad way to end the year. John Mayer, meanwhile, is set to headline a few festivals over the next week, including Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival in Franklin, TN, Palm Tree Festival in Montecito, CA, and Rise Festival in Jean, NV. Find tickets here.

Zach Bryan With John Mayer – “Friend Of The Devil” – 9/27/25

[Video: Chris]

Zach Bryan With John Mayer – “Better Days” – 9/27/25

[Video: Nunya]