Some shows stay with you long after the lights come up. This was one of them.
I am relatively new to Zac Brown Band, really only getting into them over the past few years. After following the band’s updates in the months leading up to the Sphere shows, my expectations were extremely high. I had been impatiently waiting and excited for months to see this show, and this past weekend it was finally time to board the plane and head to Vegas.
Even with all that anticipation, the show still managed to blow past my expectations.
From the opening moments, it was obvious this was not going to feel like a normal concert. The Sphere itself is a huge part of the experience. The sound, the visuals, and the technology are on another level. It is hard to explain how immersive it feels unless you have been there, but it quickly becomes clear that this venue changes what a live show can be.
The Visuals and the Story
The visuals were easily the standout part of the night, and not just because they looked impressive. They were clearly designed to support a larger story. The entire show followed a narrative around Zac’s personal struggles and how he worked through them, using music as an outlet and a lifeline.
The opening song, “Heavy Is the Head,” was the perfect way to start the night. It is one of my favorite songs, and pairing it with the opening visuals immediately set the tone. That moment alone pulled me all the way in.
A Phenomenal Experience
What surprised me most was how much the night felt like a shared and phenomenal experience rather than just a performance. The vibe in the room was incredibly positive. There was a lot of love in the air and a real sense that everyone was fully present and enjoying the moment together.
The story does begin in a heavier place, but that is intentional. As the show goes on, love and light clearly take over. That shift is what makes it work. Nothing about it felt dark or unsettling. It felt honest, human, and uplifting.
I was thrilled the entire time. Fully engaged. Singing along more than I probably should have, and hopefully not ruining it for anyone around me (sorry, wifey) . I left the show feeling inspired and energized, and I have been playing the new album nonstop since.
It is safe to say that any future concert I attend is going to have a tough time topping this one.
Online “Demonic” Talk
Zac mentioned the online chatter during the show, and afterward I saw the headlines claiming the visuals were demonic or satanic. Honestly, my first reaction was confusion. I do not understand how someone who watched the show could walk away with that impression.
It’s obvious they did not actually watch or attend the show.
Without the monologue and the complete storyline, it is easy to grab a few out-of-context visuals and turn them into clickbait. But that completely ignores what the show is actually about.
The message is very clear. The story starts in a rough and dark place and moves toward love, light, connection, and healing through music. That is the entire arc of the show. There was nothing sinister about it. The themes were creativity, resilience, and the power of music to pull someone through difficult moments.
The band is incredibly talented, and the production was thoughtful and intentional. Reducing that to outrage says far more about the critics than it does about the show itself. It feels like noise from people who either were not there, were not paying attention, or were simply looking for something to be mad about. Trolls make me sad.
See the Show
This show was phenomenal. The visuals, the music, and the storyline all worked together to create something memorable and genuinely inspiring.
If you get the chance to see this show, go. Do not overthink it. It is easily one of the best live shows I have ever seen.
If the band ever sees this, I hope you all know how supported you are by the people who actually experienced it. We understood what you were doing. We felt it. And I appreciate you for taking the creative risk.
Context matters. This show deserves to be seen in full. Do yourself a favor. If you enjoy ZBB you don’t want to miss it.
Lastly, on a side note, to the folks in the row behind us. I wish that no one ever has to sit near you at another concert ever.
Luckily you were unable to ruin it for my wife and me. A huge thank you to my wife for one hell of a weekend celebrating our 20th anniversary and my birthday. Unforgettable.