It was another gorgeous day in Columbia, SC as Widespread Panic resumed its domination in the jam band scene. The zealous fans filed in from around the country to partake in the penultimate night of debauchery at The Township Auditorium. Dissecting their catalog, Panic performed entirely covers the first frame and only originals for the second set.
Kicking off the show and energizing the audience, Panic opened with “Sometimes” for the first time since 2011’s Red Rocks run. The fIREHOSE tune was revived at Panic En La Playa 10 last month after eight long years on the shelf.
As fans were trying to shake off their stunned disbelief, the introduction of David Bromberg’s “Sharon” snapped them back to this carnival-ride reality (“The same rowdy crowd that was here last night / is back again!”). During the Talking Heads’ “Life During Wartime”, the unparalleled intensity of the band’s sound proved no match for Jimmy Herring’s amplifier as it overloaded mid-song.
JoJo Hermann switched gears exchanging his clavinet sound for a pristine piano tone in order to crush a coveted cover of “Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” written by Traffic’s Steve Winwood. Jimmy Herring broke in his replacement amp with surging riffs as John Bell’s vocals cut deep.
JB’s voice regressed from the purity of a choirboy to the ragged desperation of a barfly as he growled his way through a hard-hitting performance of Murray McLauchlan’s “Honky Red”. Fan-favorites flowed freely as Winston Riley’s “Arleen” was followed by the bouncing reggae rhythms of Jerry Joseph’s “Chainsaw City”.
Staying true to their Athens roots, Panic honored fallen friend Daniel Hutchens of Bloodkin with a performance of “Trashy” before concluding the lengthy first half with a saucy take on Bill Withers’ “Use Me”. Though “Trashy” has been appearing regularly in setlists and quickly becoming a fan favorite, the song grows and develops each it’s played. Last night marked the eighth time WSP covered this tune.
Upon return for a second set, Widespread performed a foil to the first frame with one entirely original. WSP embarked on an incredible journey that began with the first half of “Driving Song” before stopping at a “Disco” and afterward for a late-night snack at the “Diner”. In which, JB included an appropriate “Highway to Heaven” rap.
JoJo led the powerhouse sextet throughout a “Blackout Blues” before Jimmy steered the “Pilgrims” back into the latter half of “Driving Song” to conclude this intoxicating sandwich. For most folks, the string of songs symbolizes an ideal Friday or Saturday night on the town—going out dancing at the club, late-night drunk munchies at the diner, and safely arriving home.
WSP transitioned smoothly into soaring “Saint Ex” before pausing for the last time of the set. A second sandwich began with a raunchy “Fishwater” and progressed into a monster “Bust It Big” before the percussions peaked into an explosive “Drums”. Duane Trucks and Sunny Ortiz led the charge until the band stepped back into position to conclude the second halves of “BIB” and “Fishwater”, respectively.
Upon return for encore, John Bell thanked their dedicated ASL interpreter Edie Jackson before rolling up his sleeves and singing “Down” as an emotional tribute to their late bandmate, Todd Nance, who originally sang its lead vocals. To conclude the penultimate show with glorious pizzazz, Dave Schools manned the vocal helm for a boisterous rendition of Steve Ferguson’s “Flat Foot Flewzy”. The nefarious bassist joked about forgetting the words to which JB helped him out before Herring punctuated the encore set with a lightning bolt exclamation mark. As with the entire night, the encore consisted of half cover songs and half originals.
Widespread Panic wraps up their three-night sojourn in Columbia, SC tonight at The Township Auditorium. Surely, This will be one not to miss as the veterans of rock and roll have plenty more tricks up their sleeves. Speaking of sleeves, the weather is getting chilly tonight, best have long sleeves and be bundled up, Goodpeople. There will be a nip in the air that even the warmest whiskey will not keep at bay.
Head to the band’s website for a full list of upcoming tour dates and check out a setlist of last night’s show.
Setlist [via PanicStream]: Widespread Panic | The Township Auditorium | Columbia, SC | 2/19/22
Set One: Sometimes, Sharon, Life During Wartime, Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, Honky Red, Arleen, Chainsaw City, Trashy, Use Me
Set Two: Driving Song > Disco > Diner, Blackout Blues, Pilgrims > Driving Song > Saint Ex, Fishwater > Bust It Big > Drums > Bust It Big > Fishwater
Encore: Down, Flat Foot Flewzy
Notes:
– Jimmy w/ blown amp during ‘Life During Wartime’
– 1st set all covers / 2nd set all originals
– ‘Highway To Heaven’ rap during ‘Diner’
– Entire show with Edie Jackson (ASL interpreter)
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