Zac Brown Band is currently on their From The Fire tour, with King Calaway and Tenille Townes supporting the show. They played in Raleigh at Coastal Credit Union Music Park on October 5, and it was PACKED!
In between artist sets, billboards to join the “Zamily” circulated, along with the causes they’re attached to. It wasn’t until ZBB came on stage did it really hit that they hold onto that name seriously, and the entire set really felt like everyone in that venue was part of their “Zamily.”
One thing that stood out to me for this show more than any other artist I’ve seen, is how much Zac Brown Band invests in other people. King Calaway and Tenille Townes opened for the band, but individually, those artists were brought back on stage to sing with ZBB, and King Calaway performed a song with Zac that he produced. Caroline Jones, Zac Brown Band’s first and only female member, started with the band by opening for the band since 2017 and ZBB has mentored her, produced her new record that just released, as well as joined on the record. She is now a permanent member, and her single was performed with the band.
Zac Brown Band hit the radio waves in 2008 with “Chicken Fried” and there was not one person that heard it that did not sing along. Packing such a powerful impression on the world, ZBB managed to keep that entire energy through their career, and somehow, in this venue packed with thousands of people, it felt like everyone was there for a chicken fry. ZBB pulled off something incredible that simultaneously made the venue feel like an intimate family BBQ music show, and a big rock show with their set.
It was amazing seeing how big the Zac Brown Band is and how incredibly talented everyone is. They have two full drum sets, and a line of 5 vocalists and strings, and keyboards. Each member played more than one instrument, as well as being vocally talented, and I was thoroughly impressed to see members switching instruments between an acoustic guitar, a banjo, a steel lap guitar, a ukulele, and a piano. The fiddle player stuck with his fiddle, but he played different techniques that was mesmerizing. For the band’s beachy songs, he played the fiddle like a guitar (something I didn’t know was possible), and that sound is what gave the song an Acopulco vibe, almost sounding like a steel drum.
If Family, or “Zamily” was the theme of the night, “Honor” was a very close second. There were so many moments in the show where honor was shown through their music. During “Colder Weather,” Brianna was brought on stage. Brianna was maybe 12 years old, and she came on stage so brave and opened that song at Zac’s side. Her voice was so strong and angelic. She had a standing ovation, and concert goers around me just roared and the commentary I heard, and agreed with, was that she was so amazing and her voice was so powerful packed in such a small package.
The late and very great Jimmy Buffet was also honored at this show. I’m sure shows prior to his death had this element, but you could just feel it hit differently this time. During “Knee Deep” Jimmy Buffet was shown at the beach on the video screens as he sang before. It was heart-warming to have a visual of him living eternity on the beach. They also honored him with “Margaritaville” in the Encore.
They closed the show out with “Chicken Fried,” and brought out a Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant to salute during that last verse where they sing about saluting those who’ve died, and sacrificed. The amount of cheers paused the song for a bit, but it really made the words of the song impactful, especially with Zac’s commentary about it doesn’t matter which side of the political aisle you stand on, we all need to be united. Coming from a Marine family, this moment hit me right in the heart and tears just streamed down my face.
Within their encore, each band member had a moment where their talent was showcased and honored with a medley giving each member their song to sing in their style and range. It was incredible, and Caroline really got to show off her pipes with a Whitney version of “I Will Always Love You,” which sent the entire crowd reeling, just before going into Margaritaville.
This show was probably the best show I’ve ever seen. I’ve never heard anyone who doesn’t like Zac Brown Band, even the most metal fan out there likes Zac Brown. It was so fun to hear all the hits, and several rock covers from the opening acts and ZBB from the Beatles, Melissa Etheridge, Pink Floyd and so many more! The band also does so much in their community, so go follow their pages to see if there’s a live show near you, but to also follow everything they’re doing and how you can be a part of something great.
Setlist:
Make This Day
Toes
As She’s Walking Away
Rusty Heinz
Million Little Bandaids (Caroline Jones’ single)
Sweet Annie
Same Boat
Tomorrow Never Comes
When I get Home (King Calaway Single)
Bohemian Rhapsody
Drums Solo
Jump Right In
Beautiful Drug
Layla
Where You Are with Tenille Townes
Where the Boat Leaves From/One Love
Keep Me in mind
Colder Weather / Wish You Were Here
Knee Deep
Creep / With or Without you / Homegrown
Encore:
Medley: Mountain Music / Chattahoochee / All My Exes Live In Texas / Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy / Callin’ Baton Rouge / Family Tradition / Boot Scootn’ Boogie / I Will Always Love You
Margaritaville
Chicken Fired
