Widespread Panic has remained true to themselves and their fans since their humble beginnings at the University of Georgia. The band has evolved following the passing of founding members Michael Houser and Todd Nance. Even through these changes, the band’s vision and sound is reminiscent of their earliest days. The guitar sound has changed to less mind- and string-bending, warped notes and more warp-speed lightning riffs, but it is rooted in a characteristic sense of style and grace that few can match. When the road-hardened band debuted two new songs during its last two runs and hinted at another album on the way, the group’s loyal fans were ravenous with excitement, ready to soak up anything that comes their way—sunshine, rock ‘n’ roll music, whiskey, etc.
After a scorching opening night at the newly constructed Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, AL, Widespread Panic resumed their intergalactic explorations last night as Dave Schools led the acoustic charge into an opening “Rebirtha”. John Bell donned his slide to mesh with JoJo Hermann‘s piano during the introduction “Ribs And Whiskey” before JoJo’s fingers danced into Robert Johnson‘s “Stop Breaking Down Blues”.
JoJo continued to run rampant across his ivory keys until Jimmy Herring took over to showcase his unfathomable PRS wizardry. Following a brief pause, Herring reigned supreme during “Better Off” before Duane Trucks‘ rolling drums introduced a badass “Dyin’ Man” (Don’t ever tell a dyin’ man / You never meant to shoot him down!”).
Far from finished, a growling JB clawed his way through Bloodkin‘s “Who Do You Belong To?” WSP mellowed out the frantic tempo for a dialed in “Sleepy Monkey”, swinging through the jungle and landing on the shoreline of “King Baby”. After debuting at Red Rocks last month, this was only the second time that this song was performed!
Taking no prisoners, the Panics closed out the first frame with a rough and rowdy “Bust It Big”. As the beloved band shuffled off stage with a wink and a wave, the shell-shocked audience attempted to regain their senses during set break.
Halfway through and not holding back in the slightest, Panic marched into David Bromberg‘s carnival-themed “Sharon” to open the second set (“You know the same rowdy crowd that was here last night is back again!”). Schools strolled through “Walkin’ (For Your Love)” before plucking the ominous intro of Vic Chesnutt‘s “Blight.”
The steadfast bassist cruised through the vocals and added an improvised quip—as usual—after the second verse until Herring commandeered the conductor’s baton for a swirling maelstrom of notes. As the music faded away, Duane Trucks pulverized his kit, mashing out the raucous beginnings of Murray McLauchlan‘s “Honky Red” to coincide with JB’s gravelly vocals.
Still reeling from the reappearance of “King Baby” on such short notice, the audience was flabbergasted as their favorite band hit them with another new original. The triumphant debut of “Little By Little” eased into action with that distinctive WSP sound, style, and space for Jimmy Herring to shred. Once the crowd found their sea legs, they embraced the newest addition to the band’s extensive repertoire with open arms and minds.
Widespread Panic – “Little By Little” – 7/29/23
[Video: Michael Wilker]
The Saturday Night Special kept getting better and better as JB tacked on a concise improvisation during “Diner” before segueing into another fan favorite with “Vacation”. Jimmy Herring, always ready to unleash the power of a supernova at any given moment, sprawled out throughout both songs.
Without stopping, the Panics moved into a howlin’ “Greta” until one last transition laid the second set to rest alongside Bloodkin’s “Henry Parsons Died”. Following the debut, WSP wound down the set with nearly 40 minutes of interrupted music.
For the second consecutive night, Widespread Panic eased into the encore nice and slow. “Old Joe” led the way before WSP unshelved Col. Bruce Hampton‘s funky and cosmic “Elevator to the Moon” for the first time since 1991—a gap of 2,590 shows! In the eternal words of the band’s spiritual mentor, Col. Bruce, “Space is the place!” Closing out the show with a more familiar tune, Widespread ended Saturday night’s doozy of a show with a Jerry Joseph and Glenn Esparza‘s co-written composition “Climb To Safety”.
With whatever fuel is left in the tank, WSP and their horde of followers returns to the Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, AL for what will surely be a special Sunday finale. Be safe tonight and enjoy the ride. Until tomorrow.
Widespread Panic – Orion Amphitheater – Huntsville, AL – 7/29/23 [Full Show Audio]
Widespread Panic – “King Baby”, “Bust It Big” – 7/29/23
[Video: Michael Wilker]
Setlist [via PanicStream]: Widespread Panic | Orion Amphitheater | Huntsville, AL | 7/29/23
Set 1 Rebirtha, Ribs and Whiskey > Stop Breakin’ Down Blues (Robert Johnson), Better Off, Dyin’ Man, Who Do You Belong To? (Bloodkin), Sleepy Monkey, King Baby > Bust It Big
Set 2 Sharon (David Bromberg Band), Walkin’ (For Your Love), Blight (brute.) > Honky Red (Murray McLauchlan), Little By Little, Diner > Vacation > Greta > Henry Parsons Died
Encore Old Joe, Elevator To The Moon (The Late Bronze Age) > Climb To Safety (Jerry Joseph)
Notes:
FTP ‘Little By Little’ (new original)
LTP ‘Elevator To The Moon’ 4/04/91 Chapel Hill (2,590 shows)