Widespread Panic spring tour closer: 2 nights in Nashville

Seeya face!

TWO SOLD OUT NIGHTS to close a Widespread Panic spring tour is nothing to just say, "meh, not worth it" or "nah, I have to drive by myself" or "It's going to rain ALL WEEKEND."  All lame excuses.  I tell you there wasn't one second of hesitation to enjoy another wonderful weekend of live tunes.  I headed up 85 North towards Chattanooga.  I was by myself on a rainy Friday afternoon, little did I know that rain would be the theme for the whole weekend.  I love the drive into Nashville, even on a rainy day.  Cruising up through Chattanooga is beautiful.  A lot better than the Oxford - Atlanta commute I did for 5+ years.  I arrived in 'Music City' around 3:30.  Normal people were still working.  My good friends Ross, Allison & Hayden were nice enough to extend their hospitality my way and let me crash for the weekend.  Thanks ya'll!  And what a weekend it would prove to be.  I had scored a ticket to Friday night before leaving town, so I was (almost) worry free for Friday night.  I hadn't heard of this Woods Amphitheater before.  It is now and will remain one of my favorite outdoor venues.

photo via Woods Amphitheater

The venue is out in the country surrounded by woods and farmland.  We  pulled into the lot that was full of cars but empty of people.  The Woods has a noise ordinance and bands can't play past 11, so the band had already started.
A nice Disco, Greta> Weak Brain, Narrow Mind to get things rolling.  Once on the grounds, you walk through the gates and you're still behind the stage.  A giant V cut into the forest faces the stage.  It reminded me of The Backyard in Austin, TX minus all the decks and seating area.  This particular show was all general admission so jump in where you want to be and there you are, with 4,000 other like-minded music fans ready for good times.  We grabbed beers and headed into the sea of spreadheads. Everyone there was toting a rain jacket, as the forecast called for 60% chance starting at 10pm.  None to speak of yet, so we jammed on as usual.  A funky back and forth from JoJo and Schools accented by Jimmy's unforgettable riffs.  The crowd was actively engaged from the first note, and we followed suit.

The bone-chilling first strum of the deep A chord in the song 'Pigeons' always greases the wheels.  People start getting DOWN.  Someone compared it to the likes of people dancing like they have bees on them, well not too far from the truth.  Halfway through the tune Dave Schools is dropping thunderbombs.  This may be new or may not, but an effect on Schools' amp makes it sound like those bombs are being dropped through a giant thunder tube.  An 8+ minute Pigeons was slowed into Ribs & Whiskey.  I started noticing a repeat of some songs from the previous weekend in ATL but TRUST me, I am no Panic snob, I was probably the most overjoyed person in the crowd.  So happy to be where I was, living in the moment. "Whiskeyyy makes my body feel hot!" the crowd shouts in unison with JB.  The song always reminds me of Matt Minyard.  Nug absolutely loves Ribs & Whiskey.

dark n' stormy: Night 1 with no screen rig

Boom! Papa Johnny Road.  Nicklaus Reed Ward's favorite.  Like I said some people were like "they just played this."  I couldn't have been happier.  "Laughed so hard that the devil got scared."  Loving it.  A few years back, they offered up the next tune, Visiting Day in a sped up version and it just lost some effectiveness.  So glad they played the slower version.  This JoJo tune has always struck a chord with me.  "Let's climb on up Thacker Mountain!" The crowd went nuts as he screamed "Up to Tennessee!!"  The next three songs were a gumbo of fast intense jams (Love Tractor) a singalong favorite (Surprise Valley) and a low and slow rocker that builds in intensity and peaks with Herring at the helm.  This band is masterful at doctoring the setlist to make connections with the fans and the city they are playing in.  "Oh kiss the mountain air we breathe!"  The last song of set 1 was Rock.  The crowd moves as one and gets down low, "Everybody's moving but me, everybody's moving but me, I'm gonna make it home piece by piece"

Set break allowed only enough time for a portopotty line and a very clutch roaming beer man much like the ones seen in baseball stadiums.  He was the only one I could find.  I also spoke to two middle school teachers in line.  I told them they were cool as hell.


The next 80+ minutes would prove the be pure Panic bliss.
Set 2:

Heroes
All Time Low
Junior>
Mercy>
Ride Me High>
Tie Your Shoes>
Papa's Home>
Action Man>
Last Dance
E:
No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature
End of the Show


There weren't any songs I'd never heard.  There weren't any crazy bust-outs or a first time played.  But, you see, that's not what this is about.  It's about this show, this place, this set.  This time that all 4,000 of us are getting to share with this legendary band.  I find joy in picking up little hints here and there during each set.  This was a tip of the hat to the fans that were here right now, and had been there previously on this tour.  A final icing on the cake.  I can't go on without talking about the weather.  It was one shade of sky away from Twister scene.  Just apocalyptic overcast rainy skies all weekend.  To those of you that stayed away due in any way to the weather, I'm truly sorry you missed it.  It was one of the best live music experiences I've ever had the pleasure to be a part of.  It's quite a site to see a band like this going full steam- not daring to hold back, during an all out down pour.  The bottom fell out 9:30 and showed no sigs of slowing.  It was raining like all hell and NO ONE cared, including the band.  As expected, the crowd got rowdy when JoJo started slamming the keys going into 'Ride Me High'  Another singalong "How high can you go?" Shout it to the heavens.  Schools then teased the hell out of Little Feat's 'Spanish Moon' during 'Tie Your Shoes.'  All of our hopeful little ears perked up.  It'll happen one day.  The encore couldn't have been rolled out in better fashion.  No Sugar has always been one of my favorite covers.  The crowd tipped their hats as the boys sent us away with fully saturated senses, grinning ear to ear.  JB-- "Seeya tomorrow night folks!"

my buddies, Gus and Nugget

Well it didn't stop raining all night or the following morning so we knew the all grass venue would look like Woodstock.  After Nugget
cold nosed me awake I immediately started working on a ticket.  Saturday had been sold out for a couple of weeks.  I needed a miracle! and after a little searching I found it!  Many thanks again to Shelley for allowing me to enjoy the rest of such a great weekend.

The afternoon was now a whole different story.  I had my ticket so I was able to relax and take in the scene and let it all come to me.   Many were searching the lot for extras with not much luck.  Everyone is dressed to the gills in ponchos, rain jackets and muck-lucks (except for one guy offering $40 to anyone that would sell him the jacket off their back.  We all came here for the same reason, and there damn sure isn't a rainstorm thats going to stop us.

This was maybe the closest I've ever been to the stage for a Panic show.  I'm typically a lawn guy.  But this night we would find ourselves stage left, right under Schools' nose.  The crowd hadn't quite reached capacity when we walked in so we grabbed our spot and waited in the rain.  The house music was on point again.  Rocky theme was playing as the band walks on stage.  JB greets the eager crowd with, "Alright, you buncha good sports!"

notice the wet stage

A few tuning notes later and the band dove into 'Give'.  The first lyrics to this heater, "Well it was pouring down!"  Herring wrangled his axe into submission and was blowing trees off the property from note # 1.  Good thing it was raining all weekend, Widespread Panic would have burned Woods Amphitheater to the ground.

With the band's decision to stream live from the soundboard all or most of their shows on this tour, I'd listened to every show on this spring tour (except Wanee & Jazzfest)  from Chicago to Columbia.  Finally, we got a 'Sharon' and I WAS THERE.  A favorite cover of many WSP fans.  And it's always played the second night of a 2 night run.  "Ya know the same rowdy crowd that was here last night is back again!" You better believe it!

from left: Todd, Dave and Sunny 

'Bears Gone Fishin' got the crowd moving.  JB told the crowd during 'C. Brown' "Just sit there in the MUD if it feels good." The last two songs of the set were Tall Boy> Sewing Machine.  Again, it perplexes me why they've been playing 'Sewing Machine' without it's usual counterpart, 'Protein Drink'.  The band is really flying in the last 2 minutes of 'Sewing Machine'.  Onward.

You'd be a hard pressed cynic to find anything wrong with set 2 and the encore of this tour closer.  "Thanks for hangin' around," says JB.  Schools' plays around with some bass effects and the crowd's brains.  Machine> Barstools FTW!  Here we gooo.

baskin' in the light

"The barstools are built for dreamers."  Always has been one of my favorite Panic originals.  Slow and twangy, but has the energy to speed up and tear your face off.  That brought us into Airplane.  "Sitting around watching the rain fall..." the crowd cheered amidst the hellacious downpour.  A 13 minute Airplane I might add with the band going in and out of jams and everyone trading licks.  Ending with a spaced out sleepy jam, Schools started on the bassline. "I'm your PUSHERMAN!"  A first time heard for me.    Once again, the next 65 minutes of the show they just didn't let up.  THIS is why I'm here.
Driving Song>
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys>
Driving Song>
Breathing Slow>
Big Wooly Mammoth>
Chilly Water
Encore:
Dream Song
Help Me Somebody>
Henry Parsons Died

This will go down as not only one of my favorite Panic runs, but one of the best show weekends I've ever been so blessed to enjoy.  I will always gladly come back to the Woods Amphitheater in Nashvegas.

from left: Jimmy, JB, and JoJo

April Recap + Widespread Panic - Alpharetta, GA 4/26 & 4/27

Written by Tyler A. Davis

For me, the month of April/first week of May was the best 6 straight back to back weekends of live music anyone could ever ask for.  As much as I complain about ATL traffic, living here has allowed me to enjoy all the shows one could bare in that time period, and I'll remember each experience for the rest of my days.

Lets start with the Final Four weekend.  They had arranged for a weekend of concerts to run alongside the NCAA tournament.  It was free, and with acts on the bill like Sting and Dave Matthews Band, I knew this was sure to be a big hit.  MARTA shot us all the way to city center.  It wasn't too crowded inside the gates at Centennial Olympic park where it was to be held.  We went and grabbed huge beers from the CNN Center.  We made our way to the stage for a set with My Morning Jacket.  I've seen them several times, once even at Red Rocks, and they never disappoint.  They started with 'Mahgeetah,' a salute to the fans that have been with them since the beginning.  Newer fans wouldn't have to wait long for the band to dive into "Circuital," released 2011.  It was to be expected (in a good way) as they haven't released a recent album together.  Jim James has been playing and promoting his solo stuff, which couldn't be more different. 

MMJ on stage 

The crowd, which the MC said had reached 75,000 at this point, (Thank God we were up front) got to share in the joys of the bands progression.  The band jumped back and forth between old hits and new.  "Outta My System" got the crowd going, as Jim James gallups the stage in a bright blue & orange cape.  They dug into the album "Z" which is one of my favorites.  'Wordless Chorus' and 'Off the Record' were big with the crowd.  I've always been a huge fan of the jam in the latter part of 'Record'.  Spacey jams that seem to stretch like a Grateful Dead song, but don't go quite that far out to space.  The crowd was pleased and knew all the words to 'One Big Holiday'.  They played one hell of a set to a sold out crowd that didn't pay anything to come see them, pretty impressive.

You could tell a handful of Zac Brown Band fans had shown up a little early and I saw many faces with the impression, "What the hell is this?"

Speaking of Zac Brown Band- we decided to stay.  Hell, it's loud and it's live, why leave? Don't remember many specifics about their set, all I know is they play more Skynyrd-type country rock and roll compared to the country music norm.  They played a smokin' bluegrass influenced song called 'Whiskey's Gone' and we were loving it.  The other song I remember was 'Devil Went Down to Georgia'.  Huge reaction from this crowd of Georgians.

Sunday brought us Sting and Dave Matthews Band.  Couldn't think of a better pair.  The fans of each band were pretty much the same people.  Sting, complete with a ripped t-shirt and leather pants played his staples.  'Message in a Bottle' 'Roxanne' etc.  Perfect for a nice Sunday afternoon of live tunes.  DMB followed.  If you've never seen a DMB show, get to it.  They always put on the best show possible.  Hence the legions of loyal fans that have followed them for many years.

Fast forward to Sweetwater 420 Festival.  We were in for a treat and had no idea just how sweet it would be.  Scroll down to my most recent blog post [below this one] to read the review/see photos of 420Fest.

Weekend of April 26th & 27th.

Night 1:  Widespread Panic was slated for two nights at what has become one of my favorite venues.  Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park in Alpharetta, GA.  It's a stone's throw from my house so I was pumped that the band was coming to me, as that's usually not the case.

Getting into the venue Friday was a headache.  Bottleneck at the entry gate with only 4 ticket takers.. come on, guys.  We got in two songs into  the first set.  GO TEAM! Beers, bathroom and onto the lawn.  I love VZW Amp's setup.  There really isn't a bad seat in the house.  The band hashtagged this weekend as a #homeshow given our proximity to Athens, the southern home and cultivating ground that built Widespread Panic.  25 years in the making.

  A 'Send Your Mind' opener got the crowd moving.  Jimmy Herring spiraled into a bluesy Chuck Berry riff that flew off the handle WAY high up the neck of Jimmy's custom axe.  It's a sound many WSP fans have grown accustomed to, and many like myself have grown to love.  You can't pretend to imagine the band sounds like they did with late founding guitarist Michael Houser, but the idea is the same; "an honest tune with a lingering lead has taken me this far."   A short pause, and the band started into 'Glory' an older more coveted gem for some from 1997's "Bombs and Butterflies."  "Every time we dance, brings us closer to Glory!" shouts frontman John Bell.  Perfect lyrics for this crowd who showed no signs of standing still.  A nice segue into 'Space Wrangler,' a personal favorite and actually the first of these honest tunes that entered my head years ago, and never left.

The band sounds pretty together, pianist JoJo Hermann was turned up just the right amount.  At 4 minutes in, the band takes off with Herring at the helm -- his guitar can change lives.  The crowd erupts as JB howls "found a place that pours the coldest beer!"  This sends the band into a much faster paced jame lead by Herring's octopus fingers.

They bring the energy down and drummer Todd Nance shows signs of a new classic, "Meat and booze!" someone shouts.  'Ribs & Whiskey' as its more commonly referred to. HEAT.  The rest of set 1 continued to impress.  A fun, easy listening 'C Brown'.  A rocking 'Flicker' into the  Dave Schools dominated 'Blight.'  Also a song I'm glad they've put into rotation is 'Tail Dragger' led by Herrings monster blues scales but allows JoJo to do some work on keys as well.  Ending set 1 on a high note, a cover of Jerry Joseph's 'Chainsaw City' left the crowd eager for set 2.

the sun 

Set 2 was one for the books.

Intro
Little Kin
One Arm Steve >
Bust It Big >
Sell Sell >
Machine >
Barstools and Dreamers >
Driving Song >
Arleen >
Driving Song >
Breathing Slow >
Pigeons


Good Lord just reading it brings me back to how awesome it was.  If you can't tell from the setlist, that's basically a 60 minute set.  A set highlighted by crowd favorites: Machine> Barstools &  Driving>Arleen>Driving. Or as some in the lot might claim as a "Driving>Arleen sandwich.  'One Arm Steve' sent JoJo and bassist Dave Schools into a funky jam battle.  All the while, Jimmy is staying on top of that lead.  A real treat and the exact reason people like myself come back for more.  "The boys" as many have come to call them continue to push the boundaries of what it means to constantly supply authentic southern rock and roll, with a jammy twist.

Encore Night 1 makes me chuckle.  WSP is one of the best at blowing your face off, and then bringing the energy right back down, getting everyone in a slow groove and before you know it, lift-off again.
'Old Joe' slowly brought people to their feet, and WSP ended the night with a 'Disco' > 'Red Hot Mama.'  No one wanted to leave after these two.  JB muttered his customary, "See you tomorrow night folks."

Before we could head home, the lights went back up and house music blared the intro drum beat of Talking Heads' 'Burning Down the House.'  Everyone knows and loves the song, and considering WSP HAD just burned the house down, fans flooded the exit wearing the typical WSP "permagrin."

Night 2:

Set 1 
Henry Parsons Died 
Proving Ground
This Part of Town
Thought Sausage
Saint Ex
Wondering > 
Sleeping Man
Aunt Avis >
Second Skin >
B of D >
Chilly Water 

Set 2
North >
Jack
Diner >
Surprise Valley >
I'm Not Alone >
Surprise Valley >
Drumz >
Fishwater
Ain't Life Grand 

Encore: 
The Take Out >
Pilgrims >
Porch Song


Just as the house music last night sent us home permagrinning, Saturday had us feigning for more by the time the band hit the stage.  Playing the theme music from Rocky set the tone initially that this was going to be a rager.  The band starts a slow creeping drum beat. 'Henry Parsons Died' opener.  Not very common.  The energy was going to be way up there from song one on.  'Proving Ground' was the second song out of the gate.  It's a cult favorite, JB's raspy voice stirs your soul when he screeches, "Find out just how tall I am, by jumping in the middle of the river!"  Halfway through the song, the band takes off into Herring's machine gun lick, but doesn't take it too far, as this is song 2 of set 1.  Herring really seems to have slowed down after the band's acoustic "Wood Tour" last year.   The crowd is fully immersed in the show at this point.  After a righteous 'Proving', they slowed things down with 'This Part of Town'  An almost sorrowful slow song helped along with Herring's masterful work.

That brought us into 'Thought Sausage' and then 'Saint Ex'.  Many WSP fans that have stayed with the band over the years, don't enjoy some of the new stuff with Herring as much.  But for me, songs like Saint Ex, just click.  It was also one of Nick Ward's favorite tunes.  Still can't believe he's gone.  This song makes me think of him every time.  That's another reason I think people like myself connect with this band so intensely.  The band experienced a crushing blow with the passing of Michael Houser.  Just about everyone has lost someone close to them and the fact that everyone in attendance (including the band) can share in the memories and celebrate new ones really creates an authentic experience.  It really humanizes these amazing rock stars and allows fans to connect on a spiritual level.  The fact that they keep it going in Mikey's honor I think just hits home for many people.  The music never stops!

After an emotional Saint Ex, the joys and happiness came flowing back instantly with the unmistakable drum intro going into 'Wondering' which quickly merged into 'Sleeping Man'  "You're a freak of nature!" yells Schools.  The crowd's loving it.  Aunt Avis > Second Skin > B of D > Chilly Water rounded out the first set.  I was surprised at the crowds reaction to Second Skin, as it is a newer song.  It rocked.  As always, beer and water bottles flying gets everyone a little damp during Chilly.  "It's just part of the show," explains one avid fan to a first timer.

Set 2 kicked off with 'North' and the band really seemed to be playing pass the jam and everybody took a turn.  The band flows like the Chattahoochee into 'Jack.'  Definitely a favorite.  This one went out to my buddy Sammy G.  He just lost his good ol' dog Lucky.  The words slip out of JB's mouth "There's one good dog sleeping filled with good ol' dog dreams." You see, certain songs just resonate with certain people.  That's why we love this band.  JoJo makes excellent work of this song.  Paired with JB's raspy vocals, it just makes sense to me (and them).  That led into the ever popular 'Diner.'  A Diner that clocked in at just over 21 minutes, and we were totally OK with that.  The fans were showing the band just as much love as this set was showing the fans.  Panic fans are the greatest.

The next 20 minutes would prove to be rather awesome.  Surprise Valley> I'm Not Alone > Surprise Valley.  An absolute feast for the senses.  WSP was quoted in an interview about having to keep their stage game up to par with the visual aspect of the show.  Not in my opinion, but hey it does add another aspect for the senses.  For the New Years Eve show in Charlotte this year, they debuted what is probably an 40 ft wide HD video screen as the focal point of their lighting rig.  It's all about the music and lyrics for me but I actually grew to like the new setup.  A funky piano jam teasing Ride Me High brought us back into Surprise, and straight into the drum solo.  The combo of Sunny Ortiz on percussion and Todd Nance also on percussion is second to none.  Well, maybe John Bonham, but for Panic, it works and it's as much a part of the show as Jimmy's licks or Schools' funky thunder-bombs.  

After an almost 12 minute 'Fishwater' they played the typical 'Ain't Life Grand.'  A staple at most shows, but always a good time.  Time to share in the joy with thousands of others that this life IS SO grand.  We have to enjoy each and every day here on this Earth, and this band just makes it a little easier.  

The encore brought nothing but smiles.  Three songs from an era passed.  'Pilgrims' is such a great song that just warms you down to your bones.  'Porch Song' closer is one that I'll always appreciate.  "Time to LIVE IT UP!" 

Thanks Boys for a great 2 night run.  We are so thankful for the work you do.  

Read my review of Widespread Panic in Nashville, TN the weekend after Alpharetta in the next blog post. 

Cheers