Zach Bryan at Gillette
Zach Bryan dethroned Taylor Swift as King of the rain shows at Gillette Stadium last night.
The last time I saw Zach Bryan in Boston I paid $30, left my house an hour before show time and was about 5 people back from the stage at the Royale. This time for that spot, I paid almost $500, left my house at 10 am and waited outside the stadium for 7 hours. It is crazy how big Zach has gotten and he must feel damn proud to not only be selling out stadiums, but to have fans who have followed him from the start (not just the Royale days but the youtube days).
As the grey clouds rolled in and the seek shelter signs flashed across the stadium screens, I thought all that waiting would be for nothing due to the impending storm. However, the management team decided to push everything up and cut Levi Turner which allowed for Zach to come on early.
From the moment Zach and his crew came on they brought the energy. There is something about being in the pit and seeing the chemistry and smiles bandmates exchange during sets that makes a long day worth it. Last night was no exception. I especially loved when Read Connolly performed Billy Stay with Zach. Watching Zach encourage Read to hone his voice and supporting him through the lyrics was beautiful. Side note: Read has been my favorite band member since seeing Zach and Charles live for the first time. Lets face it he can shred, has cool style, and seemingly a soft humble demeanor. (no I'm not biased because we share a last name)
The energy continued as the heavens opened up and rain poured down on Gillette. Zach being the poetic man himself then played a song from his new album called "wet, hot American nights". It was an experience that will stay with me forever. The rain dripping down Zach and his guitar, the water ricocheting off the symbols of the drums, the mascara running down my friends' faces, the clothes stuck to me, and most importantly the smiles and whoops from all those around me. Kudos to the band for putting on a performance of a lifetime under these conditions because I cannot imagine it was easy. They did not just accept it, they embraced it as Highway boys should.
As good as a show may be, there are always some things that could be changed. First and foremost, there was a camera moving across the stage to capture Zach for the big screen behind him. At times this completely blocked the view of him and other band members for those in the pit. I have never been to a show with a blatant obstruction like this. Secondly, I was in the middle of the stage so it was no bother for me, but Zach did not move around much and with such a massively large stage I felt bad for those not directly in the middle. I get it Zach is a singer, not a performer but I have seen him work the square stage at USB and move around so that everybody got a song or two with him close. Pit placement of the audience is important, but artists also need to pay mind to the shape of the stage they choose. Third most, the staff at Gillette needs some work. I got there at 11 am and asked multiple staff members outside of the gates where to line up and what time things would be moving along. I got a different answer from each person I asked. I was moved back and forth from different gates about 5 times. Then when it came time to go in the scanners weren't working and the staff couldn't figure that out either. It was very disorganized and I will NEVER again but tickets to the pit for a concert held a Gillette. It is too much of a gamble, and with pit tickets being the price they are it is not worth the gamble at this venue unfortunately.