Zach Bryan kicked off his Quittin’ Time Tour in the Chicagoland area last week and will tour through December of this year. In looking at his set lists, he favors a tangential slide through his catalog, highlighting both his past and more recent hits, alongside unreleased material including, “The Great American Bar Scene.” The stunning Kacey Musgraves was a welcomed surprise at his tour opener to perform their joint song, “I Remember Everything” from his latest self-titled album, Zach Bryan.

The bottom line is that his shows continue to be remarkably special, with most credit going to the man himself and his ability to create an intimate space for tens of thousands of people at once. Some fans are even calling for a ban on cell phones in an effort of sanctimonious preservation for the moment. Personally, I don’t know how that would fly with the “be and let be” attitude of Mr. Bryan, but I could be wrong.

And as someone covering the Milwaukee show at Fiserv while also remaining a steadfast fan myself, it’ll be an interesting night toeing the line of being fully present and documenting the shit out of his revival. I just want to remember everything.

Because I just opened my vinyl copy of American Heartbreak and I’ve never ever read an insert like this tucked within the gatefold of a record:

Like, what do you even say to that?

You don’t. You just listen.

Sit with the lyrics sometime, sans music, and read the 34 total track list as an epic poem. You’ll hear it just as clearly if he was singing those songs to you from the record grooves. Because even in his most rudimentary song there still exists at least one line that is a lyrical polyamory of Robert Frost, Dean Dillon, and Tom Waits. Taste is subjective, but that very well could be a misfit unholy trinity that is Zach Bryan.

Zach Bryan is just good for the music industry. From his well-intentioned attempt at a David vs. Goliath takedown of Ticketmaster last year to the energy he brings to all his shows, holding steadfast to the truth he sings, cross-genre appeal, and the painstaking care and concern for his work while simultaneously not taking his role in music too seriously, his presence is so warmly welcomed.

Click here for information on the Quittin’ Time Tour, with links to purchase tickets, if available, or join the waitlist. See you in the pit at the revival.