Entering a league of their own, Widespread Panic broke their own record with the band’s 67th consecutive sold-out show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado Friday night. The jam rock juggernauts dodged hailstorms and tornados to open their weekend under blue skies and sunshine. The venue and weather provided sweeping views of the valleys and the city of Denver within the front range far below. Zealous fans swarmed the lots by noon, and by showtime, a tangible buzz of excitement rippled through the amphitheater.
For many, this run (as well as Playa, Halloween, and New Years Eve) make up the four majors of WSP’s schedule. Not to take anything away from St. Augustine, Milwaukee, or the rising heat from Durham, but the summertime shows at Red Rocks hit different. Maybe, something in the air…
At almost half past seven, Widespread Panic walked on stage amidst a sea of red roses scattered in tribute to longtime friend, music promoter Bill Bass. The audience buckled in for the opening night as John Bell stepped to the microphone for a traditional “Good evening, everybody!” before an esoteric improvised jam evolved into a rowdy “Bust It Big”. With impeccable timing, JoJo Hermann belted out the lyrics. “Pour my shots and ride my ticket down… to Mexico!” only a few days after announcing Panic En La Playa Doce‘s lineup next April.
Widespread Panic – “Bust It Big” – 6/23/23
Without stopping, WSP unearthed a funereal rendition of Bloodkin’s “Henry Parsons Died” before plunging into the poignant depths of “Don’t Wanna Lose You”, with JB and JoJo trading verses. Bell then broke out his slide to introduce a saucy “Ribs and Whiskey” with all the appropriate gumption and gusto.
Keeping it dirty, Dave Schools guided the rhythm section into Robert Johnson’s “Stop Breaking Down Blues”, complete with a “Gimme Back My Wig” rap. JoJo returned to the helm to lead the unstoppable six-piece into “This Part of Town”. His pristine piano playing cut through the darkness like a hinkypunk’s lantern.
Approaching set break, Panic accelerated, firing on all cylinders during “Shut Up And Drive” before emptying the tank with Jerry Joseph and Glenn Esparza’s “Climb to Safety” to bookend the first set of the weekend.
Back in action, Widespread broke the silence with a brief instrumental performance of Link Wray and his Ray Men’s “Rumble” before segueing into a ravenous “Impossible”. A second transition bounced into a jaunty rendition of J.J. Cale’s “Travelin’ Light” until going back in time to the Feudal Age for a fabled “Jack.”
Remaining within their own catalog, Panic paid tribute to their fallen founding guitarist and centerpiece with two consecutive Michael Houser songs as “Travelin’ Man” ascended into “The Waker” in all its wholesome glory. Schools blazed the way into a behemoth 20-minute “Second Skin”. Adding to the top-tier performance, the Panics threw in a spacey “Zambi Jam” in the middle of the song’s breakdown.
WSP dished out a funky, bass-heavy “Rebirtha” before ending the second set as it began, as JoJo commandeered the steering wheel for a hazy, piano-laden “Blackout Blues”. The second set was shorter than usual, clocking in at 73 minutes (the typical second set usually falls between 80-100 minutes).
To wrap up Friday night’s show, Widespread Panic returned to the stage with a pair of “dreamy” covers as Talking Heads’ “City of Dreams” barreled into Tom Petty’s “Running Down a Dream”, marking the third time that WSP covered the Petty tune since its debut during 2022’s Halloween in Savannah.
With two more nights of WSP ahead this weekend, Friday night was far from over, as a slew of after-parties filled in all around Denver. Knew Conscious’s Other Brothers held down the fort until 4 a.m. with overflowing cups and jams during a revival of the Allman Brothers Band’s music featuring members of JJ Grey & Mofro, Derek Trucks Band, and Circles Around The Sun.
The minutes are oozing by like sludge in an hourglass, and pretty soon the loyal fanbase will pack the Red Rocks Amphitheatre benches once more to receive and reciprocate the energy from their favorite band. “Remember this, our favorite town.”
Widespread Panic – “Rumble” – 6/23/23
[Video: Tom Yaley]
Setlist: Widespread Panic | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | 6/23/23
Set 1: Bust It Big > Henry Parsons Died, Don’t Wanna Lose You, Ribs and Whiskey > Stop Breakin’ Down Blues, This Part Of Town, Shut Up And Drive > Climb To Safety
Set 2: Rumble > Impossible > Travelin’ Light, Jack, Travelin’ Man > The Waker, Second Skin > Rebirtha > Blackout Blues (73 mins)
Encore: City of Dreams, Running Down A Dream*
Notes * w/ JB on acoustic guitar
– entire show with Edie Jackson (ASL)
– band & crew paid tribute to Bill Bass, longtime music promoter and friend who passed away 1/13/23, with roses laid on stage #HomeTeam
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