We just made it through a Zac Brown Band concert at the dodge theatre in downtown Phoenix Arizona. The show was simply amazing. I have been to many shows. The type of show ZBB puts on….. A little funk, a little blues, a little rock, and a lot of great country.
On the idea of great shows I saw Bela Fleck and the Fleck Tones. Victor Wooten could be considered the greatest bass player of all time. Bela Fleck is hands down the greatest banjo player of all time. Musically they are amazing, it is technical musicianship at its best.
Second I saw Dave Mathews Band at Red Rocks on Fourth of July Concert. They make multi platinum cd’s and DVD’s from a scene like this. To top it off, a little band known as The String Cheese Incident opened and jammed with them the entire time. Fire works and such in northern Colorado, okay you get the idea.
Lastly I was on stage at the Tempe Music Festival with Blues Traveler, Live, and Collective Soul. Laugh now, but it is unknown how musical these people are. We stood next to the drummer of Live, on stage as John Popper played harmonica…Simply unequivocal. After the show he gave a harmonica to my brother…but thats another story if anyone is interested.
The point is, I have witnessed some pretty epic concerts, great musicianship, and very excited that these bands were into the music only. They seemed to play for the music and nothing else. I am aware of DMB and their amazingly fiscal tours but, for the sake of argument, they started and still appear to be all about the music.
ZBB did not slack in the musical bliss we are talking about. They are hands down the most musical group I have ever seen…. Yep ever, they are as technical as any band on earth…just saying. I read an inteview were Mr. Brown said “above all, my band members can play their faces off” or something similar. Anyhow the point is, he claims they are, above all, musicians and they clearly proved it.
It was a moving, emotional experiance and I will pay money to see them again. They have a cruise coming up and I wish I could afford to go. It would be amazing!!
I just need to voice one opinion. I happened to leave my seat and on the way out land in an autograph line….at the front no less. At the end of the show, Zac Brown himself said “We Will Stay Til All Autographs Are Signed!” Awesome I thought…this guy is great!!
45 minutes into the line the security says, if your “passport isn’t signed you don’t get an autograph” the passport is a printed piece of coolness that is givin away upon entrance into the show. The only way the “passport” can get signed is if you buy merchandise. AKA $60 worth of shirts.
REALLY?? Your autograph is only worth more merchandise, not worth the $100 we spent on the tickets?
I felt like I saw the greatest show I have ever paid for, and was belittled into buying merchandise to feel worthy. Just didn’t seem right! I may be making something out of nothing, but so what!!! For the record Gretchen Wilson also did this at her concert. Hers was free to get in, it was held at Toby Keith’s I love this bar, but for the sake of arguement….IT WAS FREE!
Anyhow, great show ZBB you guys are truly epic, your abilities are unparalleled, I will definitely
see you again… ohh and thanks for the super tight shirt!!
