Review + Photos: Zac Brown Band Bring Early Summer Vibes to Atlantic City

Matt Bishop
Apr 26
3 min read

Updated: May 7

The band kicked off a two-night stand at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with a sold out show

*Zac Brown Band [Matt Bishop/Pop Vulture]*

It's starting to feel like summer down the shore.

As April comes to close, spring is in full swing and the weather is starting to take a turn for the better. Soon, folks will be flocking to the Jersey Shore for another summer. Last night in Atlantic City, Zac Brown Band helped to bring the warm weather vibes to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino a little early. The GRAMMY-Award winning group kicked off a two-night stand on Friday with a sold out show that was filled with big hits and some amazing covers.

Before doors opened, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino hosted hosted a lemonade stand in support of his charity, Hop On A Cure Foundation benefitting ALS research. The charity is the work of Zac Brown Band member John Driskell Hopkins. As fans began to gather at the venue entrance, many stopped to have a sip and support a great cause.

Hopkins, known by many as “Hop,” is a founding member, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist of the Zac Brown Band. He’s also a loving “Girl Dad” to three daughters and a compassionate husband to his wife Jennifer. Hop’s life took on a new purpose in December 2021 when he was diagnosed with ALS. Hop and Jennifer decided to become part of the solution, and in May 2022 they launched the Hop On A Cure Foundation. Its mission is to support research to prevent, reverse, and cure ALS while raising awareness, building a compassionate community, and unleashing the healing power of hope.

While the band should be pigeon-holed as a "summer act," they certainly have a solid selection of songs that are best played during the warmer months. They kicked things off with "Same Boat," and followed it up immediately with one of their biggest hits - "Toes." The vibes stayed high and hot, with a mash-up later on of "Island Song," "Where the Boat Leaves From," and "Two Blue Chairs & You." It was basically like being right outside on the Boardwalk.

Famous for their covers almost as much as their original material, the group put their signature spin on some classic cuts like "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by The Charlie Daniels Band, "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac, "Cover Me Up" by Jason Isbell, and "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles. They also mashed up two of their biggest hits with cover songs - "Free" with Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" and "Colder Weather" with the Eagles' "Take It To the Limit."

For the show's closer, they even chose to go with a cover instead of one of their own songs - "Thriller" by the late, great Michael Jackson.

Fans were not left wanting more ZBB material, thought. Other highlights included "Someone I Used to Know," "Keep Me In Mind," "Wild Palomino," "My Old Man," "Homegrown," and, of course - "Chicken Fried."

Formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2002, Zac Brown Band have achieved significant commercial success and critical acclaim over the years. The band's major breakthrough came with the release of their 2008 album, The Foundation, which included the hit single "Chicken Fried." The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was certified multi-platinum. The album's success established the Zac Brown Band as a prominent act in country music.

Subsequent albums, such as You Get What You Give (2010) and Uncaged (2012), continued their commercial success, both debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The band has released several other albums, including Jekyll + Hyde (2015), Welcome Home (2017), The Owl (2019), and The Comeback (2021).

The Zac Brown Band is known for their eclectic musical style, blending elements of country, rock, reggae, and pop. They have collaborated with various artists across genres, including Jimmy Buffett on "Knee Deep" and Alan Jackson on "As She's Walking Away," the latter earning them a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals in 2011.

Beyond music, Zac Brown is involved in philanthropic efforts. He founded Camp Southern Ground, a nonprofit camp in Georgia that serves children and veterans. The band also supports various charitable causes and often honors military personnel during their concerts.

In recent years, the Zac Brown Band has continued to tour extensively and release new music. Their 2021 album, The Comeback, received positive reviews and featured collaborations with artists like Blake Shelton and Marcus King. The band remains a significant presence in the country music scene, known for their dynamic live performances and genre-blending sound.