The uncontested champions of swamp rock and roll, Widespread Panic, brought a community of dedicated zealots to the rolling hills of Napa Valley, the heart of American wine country. These connoisseurs of blues rock rolled up their sleeves to host this a classy affair with fan favorite covers from The Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, Tom Petty, and The Band while keeping new originals from their upcoming album in their evolving, revolving setlists.

The slow churn of Bloodkin’s “Henry Parsons Died” opened the second night with a funereal spark that threatened to spread its fingerlings and consume all in its path until John Bell channeled the spirit of the legendary rainmaker, “Hatfield” to douse the flame. Always a master of ingenious improvisation, JB sagely crooned, “It might be the last time… playing in the summertime!”

Without missing a beat, JoJo Hermann’s piano joined Duane Trucks’ steady rhythms for a savory “Ribs and Whiskey”, completing the meal with generous helpings of JB’s slide guitar and finger-lickin’ greasy jams from Jimmy Herring’s kitchen. Trucks broke the silence with a rolling crash into “Up All Night” as Herring continued to pump pure energy into the open air of the valley.

JoJo’s piano blazed the way into The Rolling Stones’ classic, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, but it was Mr. Jimmy who stole the show. The frenzied crowd cheered appropriately when JB sang, “I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy and, man, did he look pretty ill,” and later, “I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy.”

The piano remained at the fore as JoJo captained the ship of “Tackle Box Hero” for only the sixth time since its debut at Panic en la Playa Once earlier this year. The song has evolved and developed with every performance, last night’s being the most fluidly cohesive it has ever sounded.

Winding down the first frame, JoJo’s piano shifted tone and purpose as the music segued and ascended into a divine cover of Talking Heads’ “Heaven”. JB’s provocative vocals cut down even the toughest of men and women to tattered shambles. The instrumental “The Take Out” slid into “Porch Song” to close out the set.

A short set break gave the audience a chance to rehydrate with the help of Napa’s expansive selection of local vintages until the six-piece band of road-dogs returned to the stage. As they opened with the serene first half of “Driving Song”, WSP’s three-day Napa Run officially cruised past the halfway point of the weekend.

Without finishing what they started until much later in the set, Panic shifted gears into a second sandwich as “Good People” ducked into “Dark Bar” for a quiet pint. After the second half of “Good People”, the second recently composed original, “Halloween Face”, was gloriously executed for the 18th time since its debut during 2021’s NOLAween show. Like the song’s lyrics, JB personifies the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde transformation as he switches from the gravelly growl of a hungry grizzly bear in exchange for a more pristine voice, blessedly aloft among the harped angels and unblemished cherubs. For this song, he chose the pitchfork over harp and bared his teeth to snarl lyrics about wearing faces liked masks.

Keeping it original, “All Time Low” tumbled like a barrel into the forlorn desperation of “Papa’s Home” with all the appropriate heaviness. Clearing the stage, Duane Trucks and Sunny Ortiz exchanged a flurry of blows in a duel amongst drummers before the rest of the band reemerged on stage.

Immediately they launched into the distinctive intro of Tom Petty’s “Running Down a Dream”, accelerating into the guitar-laden tune for only the fifth time since its debut at 2022’s dreamy Halloween in Savannah. A massive improvised jam melted faces as an unrelenting stream of guitar notes was interwoven around Dave Schools’ and Duane Trucks’ metronomic rhythms and JoJo’s clavinet fills.

Finally, after most people forgot about the still unfinished beginning of the set, WSP navigated out of the transitional jam and back into the second half of “Driving Song”. Safely parked in their driveway, one last segue pulled up a bucket of cool, cool “Chilly Water” from the well to close out the set with righteous fury and intent.

Saturday night was far from finished, however, and Widespread Panic paid tribute to Robbie Robertson of The Band with a jaunty cover of “Ophelia”. To wrap up the penultimate show of the weekend, Panic returned to their own catalog for an esoteric séance, “Blue Indian”.

Only one night left before WSP leaves town for good. Sunday service ahead with Reverend John Bell consecrating the venue for the final time this year. Tonight, it’s Napa or nowhere. Give it all, Goodpeople.

Widespread Panic – Oxbow Riverstage – Napa, CA – 8/26/23 [Full-Show Audio]

Widespread Panic – “Ophelia” (The Band) – 8/26/23

[Video: MrTopdogger]

Widespread Panic – “Blue Indian” – 8/26/23

[Video: Joni Scott]

Widespread Panic – “Drums” – 8/26/23

[Video: Joni Scott]

Setlist [via PanicStream]: Widespread Panic | Oxbow Riverstage | Napa, CA | 8/26/23

Set 1: Henry Parsons Died, Hatfield > Ribs and Whiskey, Up All Night, You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Tackle Box Hero > Heaven, The Take Out > Porch Song

Set 2: Driving Song > Good People > Dark Bar > Good People, Halloween Face, All Time Low > Papa’s Home > Drums > Running Down A Dream > Jam > Driving Song > Chilly Water

Encore: Ophelia, Blue Indian

Notes – ‘Ophelia’ in tribute to Robbie Robertson of The Band who passed away August 9th