After months of anticipation, outfit-planning and setlist-analysis, the time is finally here - tonight (Friday, June 20th), one of country music's biggest stars, Zach Bryan, takes the stage at Dublin's Phoenix Park for the first show there since Ed Sheeran in 2018.

An estimated 180,000 fans are set to descend on Phoenix Park for the blockbuster event, with gates opening at 5pm, with early-entry ticket-holders able to get in at 4:30pm.

The first opener, Noeline Hofmann, is due to start at 6pm, with Turnpike Troubadours then serving as direct support, before Zach Bryan hits the stage at around 9pm. Bear in mind that set-times are not concrete, and of course are subject to variation.

We'd definitely recommend you get there in time to see Noeline Hofmann - especially given the fact that the venue is around a 45 minute walk from the edge of the park - but if you don't get a chance to see the traditional-leaning prodigy's performance, we suspect Zach Bryan will bring Hofmann out during his set for ‘Purple Gas’.

The duo have performed it on a number of occasions in the past, and given Bryan is also a big fan of Turnpike Troubadours, we wouldn't be surprised if they emerge too.

Phoenix Park is implementing a strict bag policy, with bags only permitted inside if they are A4 or smaller, and the organisers are advising attendees not to bring one at all.

We're excited to see which songs Zach Bryan decides to include in his setlist. Judging by his electric Stagecoach set, we suspect the Oklahoma native will perform fan-favourites such as ‘Open the Gate’, ’God Speed’, ‘Oklahoma Smokeshow’, ‘Heading South’, ‘Condemned’, ‘Hey Driver’ and his recent single, ‘Blue Jean Baby’.

With Bryan having teased a dizzying array of unreleased tracks over the past few months, it'll be fascinating to see whether he decides to debut any of these in Phoenix Park.

With three back-to-back dates on the books, and many fans heading to more than one show, we imagine Bryan might be plotting to switch up his setlist from night to night.

As for the merchandise, Zach Bryan offered fans a sneak preview earlier in the month, with a variety of tees, caps, sweatshirts and more expected to be on-sale at Phoenix Park.

It's a balmy afternoon in Dublin, with temperatures expected to be high today and tomorrow, with Sunday looking a little cooler with some potential showers in store throughout the day.

As for transport, the organisers are encouraging ticket-holders to use public transport where possible. There are a number of entrances to Phoenix Park, including the Castleknock Gate, Parkgate Street, Cabra Gate and the North Circular Road Gate. Please note that the Ashtown Gate will be closed for the three shows.

There have been a number of social media reports that a lot of fans have been selling their tickets to see Zach Bryan at Phoenix Park, but we think these have been exaggerated, and we're sure the atmosphere tonight, tomorrow and Sunday will be fantastic.

There are a few lingering question marks remaining around the merchandise, the setlist and the special guests - but one thing is for sure, if you're heading to Zach Bryan's Phoenix Park triple-header, you're in store for a stellar, unforgettable performance in a year where the country titan is only playing a handful of shows.

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