Concerts
Every member of the audience at the “Love & Fear” show at Fenway Park was gifted a free cruise for two.
Zac Brown performing at the “Love & Fear” show in Fenway Park. Courtesy Photo / AEG Presents
It is no secret that Zac Brown loves to play at Fenway Park. He said it at least a half dozen times during the Zac Brown Band’s Aug. 2 show, and then to drive the point home, he gave everyone in the audience — more than 35,000 people — a cruise for two via Margaritaville at Sea.
You read that right: A cruise — for two — to everyone in the audience at the “Love & Fear” show at Fenway Park.
One gentleman in the audience seemed to sum it up for many when, after the announcement, he turned to his partner and said, “Are you [expletive] me?”
Brown said it was the biggest live giveaway in history, and was a personal thank you to his fans and in celebration of Sunday’s milestone, the band’s record-breaking 15th consecutive sold-out show at the iconic park. Brown made the announcement just before the band’s performance of “Same Boat.”
“Tonight we’re going to do something even Jimmy would say is crazy,” Brown said, referring to his late friend, Jimmy Buffet of “Margaritaville” fame. “I’m buying every single person here a cruise for two people on the boat. Every single person here gets a cruise for themselves and a loved one.”
A sign then flashed on the giant screens flanking the stage telling folks how to claim their trip. Brown urged people to help their drunk friends find the QR code and later to sign up.
“This is for real now,” he said. “I’m not kidding around.”
Perhaps it was the lack of build-up to the big announcement that left some people confused. While many cheered widely, literally jumping up and down, many more seemed more excited by the segue into the band’s song, “Same Boat.”
Valued at more than $40 million in total, fans can redeem their trips on select Margaritaville at Sea trips over the next year — however, they had to have signed up for them by midnight Sunday.
Concergoer Matt Sentus admitted he wasn’t much of cruise guy — in fact, he’d never been on one — but said his partner would most likely want to go. She said she would definitely check it out.
Jill Gadsby had seen the Zac Brown Band at least three times previously but in the past her only souvenir has been a ticket stub. When asked if she was surprised by the giveaway, Gadsby admitted she had an inkling. She had read an article Sunday morning stating there would be a monumental surprise for concert goers. Then they kept showing stuff about the cruise line, she said.
Gadsby, the mother of three, said she would definitely consider going, “if I can get a baby sitter.”
Brown has given away other cruises on his Love & Fear Tour, but only four per show. Boston was the exception.
“We were honored to work alongside Zac to help bring this incredible surprise to life for his fans,” said Margaritaville at Sea CEO Christopher Ivy, in a release. “This was an extraordinary way to thank the fans who have supported him throughout his career, and we’re proud to have helped make that incredible vision a once-in-a-lifetime reality.”
Fans who responded will receive a cruise aboard the brand-new Beachcomber, debuting in January 2027 and home to “Same Boat,” a first-of-its-kind artist- curated live music venue at sea co-designed by Brown. Named in tribute to Brown’s 2021 collaboration with Buffett, the venue will serve as the ship’s central live entertainment hub.
Chris Stevens is a freelance concert reviewer for Boston.com.
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