Aptly named the Pinewood Bowl Theater for all the pine trees and other natural flora that reside there, the Lincoln, NE park was overrun with a different fauna for the evening- Spreadheads. Widespread Panic played a strong two-show set to a relatively intimate crowd on a beautiful summer evening yesterday, June 23rd. As long as mosquitoes aren’t attracted to you (or you brought your insect repellent), you were in for a real treat from Panic.
With the sunshine still pouring in but slowly setting, Panic opened up the first set with a rowdy “Disco” that got the entire crowd moving. Their song selection was straightforward, and as they sang “Greta” you could almost feel the pine trees singing along with the rest of the crowd, “There’s a pack of rabid hounds…” They ended the set with two songs, “Poorhouse of Positive Thinking” and “Taildragger”, that will be released on their upcoming album Street Dogs in the fall. It was a really fun set and you could tell the boys were enjoying it. At any given time you could look at the stage and see at least one of them smiling.
The second set didn’t let up as they opened up with a “Radio Child” that got everyone moving again, this time in the dark evening sky. The stage lights were out in full force, with neon lights painting the surrounding trees. The highlight of the show came in the bust out of “Tie Your Shoes”. The crowd went nuts, as the song hasn’t been played in just over a year.
A very strong “Stop Go” followed, and it seemed to traverse different tempos within the ending portion. The jam started very fast, or at least a lot faster than what the song is accustomed to. Then they slowed it down and gave the song a very reggae-like feel. So reggae, in fact, that John Bell started singing the lyrics to Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds”. All in attendance knew that every little thing would be all right.
“Drums” followed, and an excellent “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature” emerged from the drums. Again, when the crowd heard the first few notes, it was pure joy. “Tall Boy” ended the set with an exclamation.
Everyone who made it to the out-of-the-way Lincoln, NE was given a real treat. Tonight, the band continues in Kansas City’s Starlight Amphitheatre and then moves onto the vaunted Red Rocks Amphitheatre for three nights. Those shows will be webcast in HD.
If the show at Pinewood Bowl Theater is any indication, Panic is playing well right now and should not be missed. Must be something about those trees that bring out the best in them.
Setlist: Widespread Panic at the Pinewood Bowl Theater, Kansas City, MO 6/23/15
Set One: Disco, Heroes, C Brown, Impossible, Greta, All Time Low, Give, Poorhouse of Positive Thinking, Taildragger
Set Two: Radio Child, Barstools for Dreamers, Angels on High, Ride Me High, Tie Your Shoes , Stop Go, Drums, No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature, Tall Boy
Encore: Trouble, Sell Sell
