Dot Records country artist Drake White and his band, the Big Fire, served as their opening act, and they warmed up the stage for Zac Brown Band.
They began their set with their infectious hit single “Homegrown” and it was followed by “The Wind” and the summertime tune “Castaway,” which displayed a neat island background on the televised screen.
Zac Brown noted that his song “Remedy” was the most important song that they have ever written, due to the strong message in its lyrics, and he was absolutely right. It had a Celtic-sounding vibe to it, and they were backed by a gospel choir, as yellow and green lights graced the stage.
“Amen. How about some love some our beautiful choir this evening,” Brown said, prior to delivering a stunning rendition of “Goodbye in Her Eyes,” where his vocals were soothing and delicate. He went on to discus their Camp Southern Group, which helps children and especially children of military families. At that moment, the entire venue was chanting “U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A.”
Zac Brown promised that there would be more fun at this show tonight than anywhere else in New York City, and yet again, he was spot on. He continued with the feel-good tune, the laid-back “Toes.”
It was followed by a medley of Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” and John Mayer’s “Neon,” which featured an impressive fiddle solo, and both covers resonated well with the crowd.
“Free” had a liberating message to it, and it was coupled by a solid version of Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic.” “I hope you feel as good as I do right now,” he said.
They paid homage to Red Hot Chili Peppers by singing their hit “Under the Bridge,” and after they threw T-shirts into the crowd, they delivered a piano-driven rendition of the tender ballad “Sweet Annie.”
Zac Brown went on the play piano as he and his band covered a superb version of The Beatles’ “Let It Be,” where they were backed by the gospel choir yet again, and for the last verse, the entire venue served as their back-up choir, which was one memorable vocal event.
In “I’ll Be Your Man (Song for a Daughter),” a poignant track from their new album, he was able to get across emotions that are different to explain, when it comes to a father-daughter relationship, so look for this song to take over wedding ceremonies in the near future. It definitely put many smiles on people’s faces at Citi Field.
After a brief intermission, they returned for the second half of their show, which began with an acoustic version of their hit “Colder Weather,” featuring Zac’s velvet vocals. “I don’t take anything for granted,” Zac said. “Thanks for all the love and support.”
He went on to introduce “Let It Rain” as their collaboration with Dave Grohl of The Foo Fighters, and they were able to dust of Bruno Mars’ Locked out of Heaven” and give it a unique twist, showcasing their versatility as a band.
The melancholic ballad “Bittersweet” was about lost love and it was a tear-jerker, filled with raw emotions. Their latest single “Loving You Easy” was laid-back and fun, and bassist John Driskell Hopkins took over the lead vocals on Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” and knocked it out of the ballpark.
After the lengthy, yet noteworthy “Day for the Dead,” they introduced their band members, and “Tomorrow Never Comes” was the quintessential sing-along, since Zac invited the fans to join him on this new tune off their Jekyll + Hyde album.
They continues with “Knee Deep” and they honored the classic rock band Queen with their version of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” thus closing their show. They returned for a two-song encore, which included “Beautiful Drug” and their signature hit “Chicken Fried.”
The Verdict
Overall, Zac Brown Band put on an exceptional and entertaining concert at Citi Field that was sheer perfection. They had their New York audience with them every step of the way, and they inevitably loved this talented group in return. Their passion for their craft and love for their fans was contagious. Zac Brown Band’s Citi Field performance is a substantial indication that they deserve to be nominated for “Entertainer of the Year” at a future Country Music Association (CMA) or Academy of Country Music (ACM) award ceremony. Their live show garnered 5 out of 5 stars.
For more information on Zac Brown Band and their forthcoming tour dates, check out their official website.
