Zach Bryan, the rising country music star from Oklahoma, has developed a massive fanbase in a short period of time thanks to his authentic songwriting and high energy live shows. However, some fans have noticed that Bryan’s usually jam-packed touring schedule has slowed down in recent months, leading some to wonder if he is stepping back from touring for a while.
Zach Bryan’s Meteoric Rise
Bryan got his start in music while serving in the Navy, releasing his first EP in 2018. His songwriting skills and relatable, working-class themes quickly earned him a dedicated fanbase that continued to grow with each new release.
By 2021, songs like “Heading South” and “Condemned” were hitting the top spots on Spotify’s viral charts, proving Bryan’s broad appeal. He signed to a major label that year and was selling out larger and larger venues on his headlining tours.
A Grueling Tour Schedule
Like many rising musicians, Bryan spent most of 2021 and 2022 on the road, crisscrossing America multiple times to play for his ever-expanding fanbase. From small clubs to large theaters and festival stages, Bryan built up a reputation for his passionate, high-energy live shows.
However, maintaining this kind of intense touring schedule is taxing both physically and mentally. Even the most seasoned performers need breaks from the road to rest and recharge.
Has Zach Bryan Been Touring Less in 2023?
When examining Bryan’s touring schedule, there are some indications that he has scaled things back in 2023 compared to the last two years. Let’s look at some key data points:
Number of Headlining Tours
Year | Number of Headlining Tours |
2021 | 2 |
2022 | 3 |
2023 | 1* |
*As of October 2023
Bryan did two major headlining tours in 2021 and three in 2022. However, he has only done one so far in 2023. This could indicate he is spacing tours out more.
Number of Festival Appearances
Year | Number of Festivals Played |
2021 | 8 |
2022 | 12 |
2023 | 3* |
*As of October 2023
Similarly, Bryan played a heavy schedule of festivals in 2021 and 2022 but has drastically reduced his festival appearances in 2023.
Total Tour Dates
Year | Total Tour Dates |
2021 | 152 |
2022 | 178 |
2023 | 63* |
*As of October 2023
Looking at his total tour dates each year, Bryan was on the road for the majority of 2021 and 2022. But his 2023 shows are less than half of his 2022 total so far.
So based on these numbers, it does appear that Bryan is touring significantly less in 2023 compared to the last two years when he was going full throttle.
Why Might Zach Bryan Be Touring Less?
There are a few possible explanations for why Bryan may have consciously slowed down his touring schedule in 2023:
Exhaustion
After two years of nonstop shows and travel, Bryan could simply be physically and mentally exhausted. Artists often talk about the toll that kind of lifestyle takes. He may have recognized the need to take an extended break and recharge.
Focusing on New Music
With a buzzing fanbase eagerly awaiting new music, Bryan may be choosing to spend less time on the road in 2023 so he can focus more on songwriting and recording. His debut studio album is expected in 2023 as well.
Avoiding Burnout
Rising artists sometimes struggle to set reasonable boundaries early on and end up burning out. Bryan may be intentionally scaling back now to avoid falling into that trap and having his career derailed.
Spending Time at Home
Having spent so much of 2021-2022 on the road, Bryan was probably missing life at home in Oklahoma. His social media posts suggest he has been enjoying time with family and friends back home this year.
Expanding His Team
As a one-man act early on, Bryan may have realized he needs to build a solid team around him to share some of the workload as his popularity grows. This could allow him to tour less without sacrificing progress.
What Does This Mean for Fans?
For Bryan’s loyal fans, his lighter touring schedule may be a disappointment to those hoping to catch him live. However, there are some silver linings:
Chance to Improve His Performances
With more time off the road, Bryan can rest his voice and refine his live skills. This could allow him to deliver even more passionate shows when he does tour.
Focus on Releases
With Bryan spending less time on tour, hopefully that means more time creating new music. Fans could get more recorded material from him in 2023 and beyond.
Possibility of Higher Energy Shows
After taking a healthy break, Bryan may return to the road re-energized and ready to take his live performance to the next level. The scaled back touring now could pay dividends later.
Opportunity to Expand to More Markets
Bryan likely used 2022 to play the largest venues possible in key markets. When he tours less intensively going forward, he may be able to access untapped markets and fanbases.
The Bottom Line
While Zach Bryan has certainly pulled back a bit on touring in 2023 compared to his breakneck schedule in 2021-2022, this probably ultimately serves both his short and long-term career interests best. The intense touring approach is rarely sustainable for years on end.
With a chance to rest and gather himself this year, Bryan can come back stronger than ever with full band in tow. He can deliver revitalized performances while hopefully dropping impressive new recorded material.
For artists like Bryan with true staying power, tourism is cyclical. And in the big picture, a phase of less intensive touring is not necessarily a bad thing at all. The potential benefits for both him as an artist and for fans make it a sensible strategic move.
Conclusion
In summary, Zach Bryan is undeniably touring less so far in 2023 after maintaining an exhausting schedule in 2021-2022 during his swift rise. This is likely a purposeful choice by Bryan to recover, work on new music, and set himself up for sustainable career longevity. While fans may miss seeing him live as frequently, this break sets the stage nicely for Bryan to deliver even greater things when he returns again full force.