Widespread Panic had a triple-decker lined up for fans on Monday when the band shared “Hallelujah”, “Postcard” > “Porch Song” from Red Rocks Amphitheatre on 6/26/16. The show served as the Sunday finale of Widespread Panic’s annual run at the famed Morrison, CO venue.
This video comes as the latest in an ever-flowing stream of archival live content from the southern rock jam band. Since unceremoniously beginning a continuous–almost daily–barrage of live videos at the start of 2021, the band has released clips from its 2002 documentary, 25th anniversary run of shows, concert films, interviews, vintage TV appearances, concerts at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in 2001 and 2011, and more.
To kick off the triple-shot encore on the final evening of a three-night run, the band went with Leonard Cohen‘s “Hallelujah”. The song, which was been covered by everyone from Bob Dylan to Jeff Buckley to Rufus Wainright, was first introduced into the WSP catalog on 12/31/15. From there, it was played five more times throughout 2016 and has remained on the shelf since 10/30/16.
Why the band hasn’t kept it in the consistent rotation remains a mystery to those who watch John Bell deliver the sermon that is Leonard Cohen’s timeless composition. Fittingly appearing at a Sunday show, Bell summons the fire-and-brimstone of a pentecostal preacher as the song’s momentum comes solely from his voice. Sunday service lets out a bit early, however, as the band stops on a dime to rip into the opening power chords of “Postcard”. The band’s tone shifts entirely as they fit in just a bit more hell-raising before bidding goodbye to the good people of Red Rocks. The show, as well as an entire weekend, then comes to an end with “Porch Song” as Widespread Panic wrings the last drops out of the annual Red Rocks run.
Watch Widespread Panic encore with “Hallelujah”, “Postcard” > “Porch Song” at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on 6/26/16.
Widespread Panic – “Hallelujah” (Leonard Cohen), “Postcard” > “Porch Song” – Morrison, CO – 6/26/16
[Video: Widespread Panic]
While Widespread Panic has remained off the road since the band’s five-night run at The Beacon Theatre—which ended exactly a year ago today—fans have some new live material to look forward to with the return of keyboardist JoJo Hermann‘s Shut Up and Play series. Catch the next episode Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on Widespread Panic’s Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch accounts.