Zach Bryan Plays Bob Weir’s Guitar & Brings Out 49er Christian McCaffrey At Madden Bowl

Zach Bryan was a last-minute fill-in for Luke Combs at EA Sports Madden Bowl 2026, which was held Friday at San Francisco’s Chase Center. Bryan played a guitar that belonged to late Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir and brought out San Francisco 49er Christian McCaffrey to sit-on on piano during his headlining set.

Bryan’s setlist was written with songs from his 2026 album, With Heaven On Top, including “Appetite,” “Bad News,” “Dry Deserts” and “Say Why.” The Oklahoma-native previously revealed he received one of Weir’s stage-used Fender Telecaster guitars as gift from Bryan’s wife on they day they were married.

“I felt it was right to bring it back to San Francisco,” Bryan told the audience while showing off the instrument.

While Bryan was able to replace Luke Combs on the Madden Bowl lineup, the former’s keyboard player J.R. Carroll was unable to make the concert, and McCaffrey was called upon to fill-in. McCaffrey said he got around 30 hours notice from Bryan before sharing the stage together again. Longtime friends, McCaffrey had appeared onstage with Bryan before.

Other Maddenbowl 2026 performers included Teddy Swims, Stephen Wilson Jr., Gavin Adcock and LaRussell.