Zac Brown, a live mic and Sphere have proven a volatile combination.
The leader of his eponymous band said offhandedly at Monday’s American Music Awards show that he plans to headline the Bulbous Wonder this year.
Brown mentioned to livestreamer Kai Cenat during the telecast at Fontainebleau’s BleauLive Theater of this upcoming residency. A Clip Farm YouTube video shows Brown leaning into Cenat with, “We’re doing a residency at the Sphere. End of the year.”
Cenat took down Brown’s numbe. The two had just met. Brown then made a few indecipherable comments to the livestream personality, who also complimented Brown’s watch.
As Brown walked away, Cenat said, “We mighta just leaked.” He then asked for Brown’s name, and looked up who exactly Brown is. When he found out, he blurted, “Oh my god.! He’s big! He’s massive!”
Cenat was further impressed when he found “Chicken Fried” in his phone. “Yooo! That’s him!” with Brown now posing for selfies several feet away and out of earshot.
A Sphere official responded to request for comment with, “We do not comment on any artists performing at Sphere except for those who have been announced.” Brown’s comments are not considered official. But Sphere’s headliner dates are open after the Eagles’ last scheduled performance Nov. 8.
Brown, of course, has tossed around the Sphere in conversation before. He previously announced his residency in May 2024, during an appreciably casual chat with YouTube phenomenon Theo Von.
“It’s the greatest canvas ever created, and to be one of the first bands to go in there and do it — this is our masterpiece,” Brown told the grinning Von. “This is our chance to show what we can really do, as a band.”
Von cut in during a video of Sphere’s lobby display, “Look at that, Dude. That’s crazy, Bro. You guys are going to be in there? What if God comes in and picks it up and takes it home, Dude? Then you win.”
“That’s great,” Brown answered. “I’ll fly away, Bro.”
At the time, Brown had positioned the residency as the first country production ever at Sphere. Kenny Chesney, of course, has swept in as the first.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
2025 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS
Artist of the Year: Billie Eilish
New Artist of the Year: Gracie Abrams
Album of the Year: Billie Eilish “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT”
Song of the Year: Billie Eilish “Birds of a Feather”
Favorite Touring Artist: Billie Eilish
Favorite Music Video: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars “Die With a Smile”
Favorite Male Pop Artist: Bruno Mars
Favorite Female Pop Artist: Billie Eilish
Favorite Pop Album: Billie Eilish “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT”
Favorite Pop Song: Billie Eilish “Birds of a Feather”
Favorite Male Country Artist: Post Malone
Favorite Female Country Artist: Beyoncé
Favorite Country Duo or Group: Dan + Shay
Favorite Country Album: Beyoncé “COWBOY CARTER”
Favorite Country Song: Post Malone Feat. Morgan Wallen “I Had Some Help”
Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist: Eminem
Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist: Megan Thee Stallion
Favorite Hip-Hop Album: Eminem “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)”
Favorite Hip-Hop Song: Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us”
Favorite Male R&B Artist: The Weeknd
Favorite Female R&B Artist: SZA
Favorite R&B Album: The Weeknd “Hurry Up Tomorrow”
Favorite R&B Song: SZA “Saturn”
Favorite Male Latin Artist: Bad Bunny
Favorite Female Latin Artist: Becky G
Favorite Latin Duo or Group: Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda
Favorite Latin Album: Bad Bunny “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”
Favorite Latin Song: Shakira “Soltera”
Favorite Rock Artist: Twenty One Pilots
Favorite Rock Album: Twenty One Pilots “Clancy”
Favorite Rock Song: Linkin Park “The Emptiness Machine”
Favorite Dance/Electronic Artist: Lady Gaga
Favorite Soundtrack: Arcane League of Legends: Season 2
Favorite Afrobeats Artist: Tyla
Favorite K-Pop Artist: RM
Collaboration of the Year: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars “Die With A Smile”
Social Song of the Year: Doechii “Anxiety”
Presenters: Alix Earle, Ciara, Dan + Shay, Jake Shane, Jon Batiste, Jordan Chiles, Kai Cenat, Megan Moroney, Nikki Glaser, Shaboozey, Tasha Smith, Tiffany Haddish, Wayne Brady, Zac Brown.