ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan will be hosting its second-ever concert inside theBig House, and it’s first ever since 1987.
The concert will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, and feature multi-platinum and GRAMMY-winning artist Zach Bryan, along with special guests John Mayer, Ryan Bingham, the Texas Gentlemen, and Joshua Slone.
The University of Michigan Athletic Department and Bryan jointly announced the historic concert on Wednesday (Feb. 12).
During the initial announcement, it was reported that the concert would be the stadium’s first ever, but that has since been debunked.
On Nov. 11, 1987, “A Concert for Kids” was hosted by the group “Leaders in Prevention,” headed by Millie Schembechler, wife of legendary Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler, and televised by WDIV-TV/PASS Sports.
The purpose was to inform high school kids of the dangers of substance abuse.
Over 5,000 high school students attended the free concert, which was filmed with seven cameras by WDIV-TV and later broadcast statewide on the PASS SPORTS cable network.
The Music Headliner was a national Rock recording group, Adrenalin, from Detroit. Also performing was a National Youth Choir.
Special Celebrity guests included coach Bo, Detroit Tigers legends Willie Horton and Daryl Evans, the wife of Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas, and national motivational speaker Les Brown.
The concert was the only event, other than Michigan football and graduation ceremonies, ever held at Michigan Stadium until Sept. 27, 2025, and the only televised production at the stadium, aside from a Michigan football game.
The “Concert for Kids” was produced by Gerry Zonca, a University of Michigan alumnus and Emmy-nominated Special Events Producer for WDIV-TV.
Zonca also produced the two-hour prime-time television special, “A Salute to Bo,” which aired on WDIV-TV in 1990. Millie served as executive producer.
The Big House
The Big House is the largest football stadium in the Western Hemisphere and the third-largest stadium in the world, hence the nickname “Big House.”
Michigan Stadium has previously hosted other events, including soccer matches and college and professional hockey games.
However, Bryan will be the first artist to headline a concert inside The Big House.
–> Zach Bryan electrifies fans with ‘The Quittin’ Time Tour’ in Detroit
Bryan recently wrapped “The Quittin’ Time Tour,” which saw him play 85 arenas and stadiums across North America.
He will headline Stagecoach Festival 2025 in Indio, California, and was recently announced as a two-night headliner at BST Hyde Park Festival 2025 in London, England.