The legendary Zac Brown Band brought their massive Love and Fear tour to Pittsburgh for a perfect night of country jams, supporting their 2025 album of the same name. Rising from humble Georgia roots over two decades ago to become one of the biggest acts in modern country and southern rock, this iconic group has built a reputation on stellar musicianship and genuine fan connection. PPG Paints Arena was packed from the floor to the rafters with eager concertgoers who were ready to sing along to every single word.

The house lights dropped and the stage shone bright, almost like a beacon ushering fans to a haven for comfy country jams. The sheer talent on stage was undeniable as the entire group put on a masterclass in musicianship. Frontman Zac Brown anchored the show with soulful lead vocals and effortless charm, but he made sure every single member of his massive band received a well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Fiddler Jimmy De Martini dazzled the crowd with blistering solos, while John Driskell Hopkins provided deep bass lines alongside his signature low baritone harmonies. Guitarists Coy Bowles and Clay Cook traded soaring licks and rich organ fills that gave each track an extra punch. Drummer Chris Fryar locked down a tight driving groove with percussionist Daniel de los Reyes, who added layers of vibrant tropical energy. Bassist Matt Mangano held down the low end with flawless precision, while Caroline Jones brought impressive multi-instrumental skill and beautiful backing vocals that elevated the whole production. It was a completely full stage but never overcrowded, and everyone meshed together perfectly, clearly having the times of their lives doing what they love most.

The setlist hit a sweet spot, offering a little bit of everything for every person in attendance. Zac Brown Band seamlessly shifted between high energy country jams, fiery bluegrass breakdowns, and heavy southern rock stompers without ever missing a beat. At the same time, they gave tracks from their 2025 Love and Fear album plenty of time to shine under the arena lights. The set was broken up into a few segments. The first segment opened with “Give It Away” which has all the charm of the classic hits despite being released just last year. The catchy hooks of “As She’s Walking Away” hit extra hard live, especially the fiddle. “Hard Run” pulled the energy back and replaced it with pure emotion, which made the next song “Toes” all the more sweeter. Balancing nostalgic anthems with bold new tracks created an exciting flow that kept the crowd dancing. The first segment closed with “Animal,” which came to life with the help of the backing screens simulating thunderstorms.

After that powerhouse, the next segment slowed things down with a few acoustic jams, starting with the incredibly emotional “What You Gonna Do.” Zac ended that song by saying “Welcome to the living room,” as the set was magically transformed into a nice cozy living room setup, with the full band all bundled up close for more acoustic jams, complete with faux barn roof with stringlights. With the new set, the vibes shot sky-high with “Island Song.” Everyone in the crowd, whether on the floor or up in the nose-bleeds, was swaying and dancing and just living for the moment. Stripping down the instruments highlighted Zac Brown Band’s world-class vocal harmonies and showcased just how tight these musicians are when the volume is turned down.

During this quiet stretch, Zac took a moment to share a story about finding a talented artist named Douwe Bob from Amsterdam on social media. Zac was so impressed by his music that he flew Douwe out to Pittsburgh to join the band on stage for a performance of his new song “Note To Self.” The Dutch artist has a perfect 90’s country sound with a lifetime of emotion poured into his song. Watching Douwe Bob sing alongside Zac and the rest of the group gave everyone in the arena goosebumps and felt like a moment of country music history in the making. The acoustic set closed with a medley of “Settle Me Down / Volcano,” of course with lyrics changed to “I wanna stay right here in Pittsburgh,” which is exactly how everyone was feeling.

After a short break, the next segment kicked it right back in full gear, starting with “Let It Go.” The feisty “Let It Run” appropriately followed, complete with the recording of Snoop Dogg’s rap feature, which somehow is a perfect combo. There were more than a few tears in the crowd as “The Sum” hit an emotional chord, while “Loving You Easy” got the groove back. A medley of “Colder Weather / Take it to the Limit / Colder Weather” was a special treat, the mixing was absolutely perfect and felt like a brand new song. Of course, the song everyone wanted to hear, Zac Brown Band’s debut song “Chicken Fried,” was saved for last, and it was so worth it. The whole crowd was singing along and it felt like a massive bonding experience for thousands of fans.

Beyond the incredible sound, the overall vibes throughout the whole night were warm, welcoming, and entirely joyful. The production enhanced every song without ever feeling overwhelming or distracting from the performance. Glowing lights washed across the floor in rich golden and orange tones, while massive backing screens displayed stunning visual scenes of nature. Projections of plains, rivers, beaches, and open country skies brought a beautiful rustic feel into the big city arena. These gorgeous visual elements made the massive arena feel cozy, turning a huge arena show into something that felt more like a gathering around a bonfire.

When the band returned to the stage for their encore, they kicked off a collection of classic covers that had the entire crowd on their feet screaming for more. They tore through legendary rock and pop tracks with pure joy, turning the arena into the ultimate weekend party spot. Before he passed, the late Jimmy Buffett handed over the tiki torch to Zac, who has more than succeeded in keeping that laid-back island party spirit alive for a new generation of fans. Shows like this really show that Zac Brown Band knows how to honor the legends who came before while keeping their own flame burning bright. As the final notes of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” faded out and the arena lights came back on, fans walked out into the night knowing they had just experienced a truly unforgettable night of live music.

August 13th, 2026