After a telling interview with Widespread Panic keyboardist JoJo Hermann, news quickly spread that the group was planning to greatly reduce their performance schedule after this year. Hermann said, “We’re really wearing it out this year because we’re basically going to call it touring-wise after this year; we’re not going to tour anymore.”
With WSP fans wanting to know more, guitarist John Bell spoke about the news to the Charleston Post and Courier. He said, “The plan now is just to dial it down a little bit in the future. Not do as many shows, but still be out there from year to year.” He said that the group wanted “a little breathing room to enjoy our families and pursue any other non-Panic things that any of us feel drawn to.”
The article says that the band will still play “the big blowouts at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, or Jazz Fest in New Orleans, for instance.”
The remainder of the interview spoke about the band’s love for their fanbase, as well as their newest member, Duane Trucks. “We’re having a great time with Duane. He’s young, but he’s extremely professional and knowledgeable,” said Bell. He also declined to comment on Todd Nance’s retirement from the band, calling it “private business.”
We wish Panic all the best on their journey ahead.