Harmonies and ‘Chicken Fried’ a perfect recipe for finale
Zac Brown Band helps rodeo set attendance mark of 2.6 million
Crystal-clear harmonies and a little bit of chicken fried brought RodeoHouston to a close Sunday after three weeks of country, pop, soul and EDM.
Zac Brown Band took its sixth spin on the stage for a crowd of 74,428. The band last played RodeoHouston in 2015.
Sunday’s crowd helped set a new total attendance record of 2.6 million for the year. That number includes concerts and grounds.
Brown was also in town a day early and part of the winning bid of $330,000 for the reserve grand champion steer.
Sunday’s show, of course, was about the music. One of ZBB’s biggest assets is its impeccable harmonies. They were showcased beautifully on “Homegrown,” “As She’s Walking Away” and “Uncaged.”
“Knee Deep” worked a down-home charm. “Keep Me in Mind” benefited from revved up instrumentation.
A few songs from 2015 album “Jekyll & Hyde” indeed felt like hybrids. “Tomorrow Never Comes” played like a Mumford & Sons homage (or a TV talent show winner’s coronation song). “Beautiful Drug” juggled rock, pop and EDM flourishes.
Brown took a contemplative turn during “My Old Man,” a sweet tribute to fathers. It’s the first single from new album “Welcome Home,” due in May. Also new was “Real Thing,” a jangly midtempo tune.
“Colder Weather,” even after multiple plays, is still a beautiful ballad that can hush stadiums. “Toes” inspired a loud, bilingual singalong.
“Bohemian Rhapsody,” however, is a tall order for anyone who isn’t Freddie Mercury. ZBB’s late-set take was adequate but ultimately generic.
There was much more flavor in ZBB’s own “Chicken Fried,” an ode to small town life. And the perfect sentiment to close RodeoHouston.