The Zac Brown Band’s “Love & Fear” residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas has not come without controversy.
Fans have flocked to social media with claims that the show features satanic imagery. The accusations became so prevealent that Brown recently commented on them.
“Thank y’all for such an incredible, incredible night tonight,” Brown told the crowd following his Dec. 12 show. “I want to say a little something about this show because there’s a lot of people that picked it up online saying that we are doing some kind of satanic ritual or something like that. I don’t think we can put any more love and light into a show than what we put into this one.”
Fans cheered as Brown continued.
“And I think there are forces out there that don’t want this message to get out, so if you get a minute drop somebody a comment or something online that’s trying to say that we are trying to worship the devil which is horseshit,” he added.
Per Whiskey Riff, videos from the opening of the show “appeared to be a descent into Hell.” TikTok videos shared from the concert show Brown playing while wearing a crown that looked a whole heck of a lot like horns while being surrounded by skeletal, Devil-like images.
Some fans took it and ran with it.
“Zac Brown Band performed a demonic ritual at the sphere,” Truth Seeker posted on X. “Most of these concerts are energy harvesting rituals.”
The band continued to share photos and clips through the weekend on Instagram, and the replies were had to miss.
“Oh look another one who sold their souls,” Samantha Kent commented on one post.
“Christ is King,” another person wrote.
“You’ve lost me a big fan!” another wrote. “You’ve crossed into the demonic realm like way too many artists. Never thought I’d see this from a great country band! It’s a damn shame!”
If there is any consolation to Brown it is that he is not alone. In fact, he joins a couple of country music’s biggest stars who have been accused of being Satanic since the start of 2024.
Here is a look at the others who faced the same type of firestorm that the Zac Brown Band finds itself in now:
CARLY PEARCE
Pearce got swept up in accusations that she was down with the devil last summer for the craziest of reasons.
So, what happened?
Well, on June 10, 2024, Pearce posted a quartet of photos and wrote, “CMA Fest, you were magical. It’s still so surreal to me that I get to be a part of it the way that I do. Over 25 years of country music dreams lived out on the stage last night.”
Seems harmless, right?
Well, in one of the photos, Pearce is standing in the parking space for her tour bus. That parking space appears to be numbered 668, but some folks thought it was 666.
And that was all they needed.
Per Taste of Country, one person responded, “666, we know who you worship,” and another person wrote, “Symbology much …. Don’t be fooled lots of country artists with their fake stupid accents are not free agents but rather useful tools.”
Well, Carly had enough of that and decided to stand up for herself on Wednesday.
“I’ve seen too many comments about this being some sort of ‘hint’ towards 666 or Satan to not comment,” she wrote on X. “First of all, this was the parking spot for my tour bus at CMA fest & I believe it is 668. I am a devout Christian who takes PRIDE in using my platform to point people toward JESUS. So, for anyone wondering … there are absolutely ZERO underlying messages except a girl excited to be playing the big stage.”
There were thankfully more than a few folks with functioning brains who were supportive of taking a stand.
“Girl I’m so sorry you had to even address this!!!” one person wrote. “This is insane! Accusing you of this is like accusing Carrie Underwood of the same thing. How dare they?!”
“Whyyy do people overthink EVERYthing these days…” another person wrote. “Speculating on ulterior motives & trying to find hidden meanings. Why can’t a sparkly outfit …. Amazing boots & a beautiful singer/songwriter/person be just that? We (love) you.”
You can see the post and the responses here.
JELLY ROLL
Few in country music praise God as often and openly as Jelly Roll, but that didn’t save him from being hit with accusations that he was down with the Devil last year.
The singer made the revelation during a November interview on The Pat McAfee Show in which he revealed that he quit social media when he was inundated with the claims after performing at Ozzy Osbourne’s Rock Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
“I started getting drawn into weird stuff that made me feel weird, because I’m a man of faith,” he said during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show per Taste of Country. “I’m like, ‘Man, y’all really don’t know me if you think I would even … Satan runs from the name I say. You know what I mean? That’s all I’m gonna say.
“I saw one name and Satan scatters,” he continued. “I don’t worry about nobody touching my butt or not illuminati.”