Zac Brown Band with Gaelic Storm – Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor, ME (May 31, 2025)

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Despite the steady drizzle that lingered over Bangor on Saturday, May 31st, the Maine Savings Amphitheater was electrified by an unforgettable night of music, camaraderie, and high-energy performances from two stellar acts: Celtic rock veterans Gaelic Storm and the genre-defying Zac Brown Band.

Opening Act: Gaelic Storm

Kicking off the night, Gaelic Storm delivered a punchy, crowd-pleasing set that blended traditional Irish instrumentation with modern flair and humor. Frontman Patrick Murphy brought a warm, witty presence to the stage, seamlessly switching from accordion to bodhrán to vocals, while engaging the audience with stories and jokes.

The band’s chemistry was undeniable, especially between the charismatic Murphy and newly added guitarist and co-lead vocalist Parker Hastings, whose vibrant energy was a great match for the band’s established rhythm section. Natalya Kay’s fiddle work soared on tracks like “The Beggarman” and “North Hampton Pickup,” while Peter Purvis’ mastery of the pipes added a dramatic flair to the group’s dynamic soundscape.

Highlights included a hilarious birthday shout-out medley for fans Shannon and Valerie, a snippet of “Thunderstruck” (cleverly altered to shout “Parker!” instead of “thunder”), and a surprisingly touching Avicii cover, “Wake Me Up.” They wrapped with the rousing “One More Day Above the Roses,” leaving the audience grinning and ready for the main event.

Main Act: Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band took the stage with the tight precision of a group who’ve honed their live chops over decades, but the joy and spontaneity they brought made it feel fresh. Opening with “Homegrown” and “Toes,” the set immediately captured their quintessential blend of country roots and coastal escapism.

The band flexed its musical muscles with a seamless mix of original hits and bold covers. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” was a fiddle-fueled thrill ride, while the mashups of “Free” into “Into the Mystic” and “Colder Weather” into the Eagles’ “Take it to the Limit” showcased their instrumental dexterity and vocal depth.

Acoustic interludes (“Out in the Middle,” “Highway 20 Ride”) provided intimate moments amid the larger anthems, letting the rain feel more like ambiance than a nuisance. Caroline Jones added a soulful spark to harmonies and solos alike, while Clay Cook and Jimmy De Martini’s solos brought the crowd to roaring applause.

The set crescendoed with singalongs like “Chicken Fried” and “Knee Deep,” before the band stunned with a theatrical, spot-on cover of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” for the encore—a jaw-dropping, genre-defying finale.

Overall Experience

Even the persistent rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the Bangor crowd. With two powerhouse performances and a diverse, carefully curated setlist, the evening was a celebration of musical storytelling, instrumental prowess, and audience connection. Both bands brought heart, humor, and serious skill, making it a night to remember on the Maine waterfront.

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