Widespread Panic loaded the setlist for Sunday’s show in Milwaukee with four covers they hadn’t played in a while, including their first take on The Doors’ “Riders On The Storm” in over six years. Last night’s concert brought Panic’s four-night run at The Riverside Theater to a close.
Frontman John Bell greeted the crowd before the sextet a worked short bit of improvisation into “Love Tractor” to begin the concert. Panic keyboardist hopped on electric piano as he engaged with guitarist Jimmy Herring on a memorable jam that paved the way for the return of “Riders On The Storm.” The crowd went wild as WSP lit into their first version of The Doors classic since July 19, 2015 and 11th since its debut on Halloween 1996. Hermann shined throughout “Riders On The Storm” which featured Bell on lead vocals.
Widespread Panic followed the bust out with live staples “Holden Oversoul,” “Blue Indian,” “Climb To Safety” and “Radio Child.” Next came the band’s fourth version of the recently debuted Bloodkin cover, “Trashy.” The classic “Little Lilly” and a “Chainsaw City” featuring longtime crew member Steve Lopez on percussion brought the first set to a close.
The six-piece covered Neil Young’s “Walk On” and the Hot Tuna popularized “Bowlegged Woman” to get the last set of this year’s Brew City run underway. A “Tie Your Shoes” that spanned nearly 14 minutes before giving way to “Stop Go” followed. The latter was also nicely extended and featured bubbling bass a plenty from Dave Schools. Hermann then fronted the group on “Blight” and took a solo which dissolved into the fan-favorite “C. Brown.”
The backend of Sunday’s second set featured an expansive “Fishwater” segment featuring “Drums” and “I Walk On Guilded Splinters” within. Panic last performed Dr. John’s “Guilded Splinters” on November 2, 2019 in New Orleans. The close of “Fishwater” was followed by the bombastic “Postcard” to cap the frame.
Widespread Panic dusted off Lou Reed’s “Vicious” to start last night’s three-song encore. The band debuted the cover on Halloween 2003 in New York City and brought “Vicious” back for the second time in the Big Apple last March. Last night’s encore continued with a take on “The Ballad Of John And Yoko” by The Beatles, which last saw action on November 2, 2019 in New Orleans. Live staple “Tall Boy” ended the show and run. Stream an audience recording of Sunday’s show at PanicStream.com.
Setlist (via PanicStream.com)
Set One: Jam > Love Tractor > Riders On The Storm, Holden Oversoul, Blue Indian, Climb To Safety, Radio Child, Trashy, Little Lilly, Chainsaw City* (75 mins)
Set Two: Walk On, Bowlegged Woman, Tie Your Shoes > Stop Go, Blight, C Brown, Fishwater > Drums > I Walk On Guilded Splinters > Fishwater, Postcard (85 mins)
Encore: Vicious, The Ballad of John and Yoko, Tall Boy (16 mins)
* w/ Steve Lopez on percussion
Notes:
- – ‘Riders On The Storm’ LTP 7/19/15 Forecastle Fest (232 shows)
- – ‘I Walk On Guilded Splinters’ LTP 11/02/19 NOLA (33 shows)
- – ‘Vicious’ LTP 3/01/20 New York (21 shows)
- – ‘The Ballad of John and Yoko’ LTP 11/02/19 NOLA (33 shows)
