Zac Brown Band’s highly anticipated run of Las Vegas Sphere shows is finally here. The band’s “Love & Fear” residency, which kicked off on December 5, coincided with the drop of an album of the same name. Brown and his band have been excitedly promoting their project, but the real hype has surrounded their run of shows at the state-of-the-art Sphere – a $2.3 billion venue. From the get-go, it’s been clear that the Zac Brown Band’s “Love & Fear” Sphere shows are among the biggest things the group has ever done. But Brown never backed down from the challenge that comes with performing there, and when the band announced their residency, they called it a “dream come true,” and the only thing they were worried about was bringing a unique experience to their fanbase: “Bringing our new album ‘Love & Fear’ to Sphere Las Vegas is a dream come true. It’s my masterpiece so far. This show is the story of my life that I have never shared, a journey through my imagination, music, and stories that have defined who I am. All of this brought to life in the incredible immersive environment of Sphere. It will be a unique experience where you can really feel every note, every word, right there with us. We can’t wait to share it with the fans.” View this post on Instagram They have since added shows on Friday, January 9th, and Saturday, January 10th in addition to the shows on December 6, 12, 13 and the concert they’ve already performed yesterday (December 5). Speaking of that first concert of the residency, it appears that the Zac Brown Band really went all out. The visual component of the venue is unprecedented, and though it makes for an unforgettable concert experience, it does come with a substantial price tag. Zac Brown said in an interview with US Weekly that he’s going into debt to bring the show to life, and the total cost of the venture is rumored to be around $6 to $8 million: “Just going into debt to make it happen. It’s a big moment in time and it’s like, for us, I want to be among the names of the Grateful Dead and the Rolling Stones and the bands that take that lifelong career impact fan journey to be able to do that. This is our statement to try to step into that. I hope they feel wonder. Unpredictability is something we use in our live shows a lot. I love pulling out covers that no one would ever expect us to play, that’s super fun. This is the same thing visually, sonically — everything we’re doing.” The good news? Zac Brown should make his money back (and then some), and all of those costs are worth it… especially when the show presents a moment like this. In the Zac Brown Band’s first night of their Sphere residency, they took a moment to honor the U.S. Military, and everyone that was there in person is saying that the tribute was a real goosebump-inducing moment. Heck, even watching it through the lens of other people’s phones on social media can get the emotions going. While pictures of military service members and patriotic scenes floated across the massive Sphere screen, Zac Brown and his band played their hit song “Chicken Fried.” You likely remember that a portion of that track gives love to the United States of America and the people that serve to protect it: “I thank God for my lifeAnd for the stars and stripesMay freedom forever fly, let it ringSalute the ones who diedThe ones that give their livesSo we don’t have to sacrificeAll the things we love.” It was during this moment that the Zac Brown Band paused their show and took a moment to thank all of those servicemen and servicewomen who have given so much to America. At one point, the American flag took over the screen of the Sphere, and in my eyes, everything was beautifully and thoughtfully done: “The greatest country in the world. Show some love for the people that keep us safe.” @vegas Some love for the people that keep us safe @Zac Brown Band at @Sphere ♬ original sound – Las Vegas Classy move by the Zac Brown Band.The post Zac Brown Band Takes Time During Inaugural Show At The Las Vegas Sphere To Honor The Armed Forces With “Chicken Fried” Tribute first appeared on Whiskey Riff.