This weekend’s Widespread Panic concerts in Austin have been postponed due to frontman John Bell testing positive for COVID-19. The shows will now take place October 8 – 10.
Originally scheduled for June 4 – 6, 2020, the jam sextet’s three-night stand at ACL Live At The Moody Theatre had already been rescheduled numerous times in the wake of the pandemic. The most recent postponement came in April when the run was moved from Memorial Day Weekend to this weekend, August 13 – 15.
John Bell and his bandmates have all been vaccinated. The group was among the first touring acts to respond to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases by requiring ticketholders to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours to attend last weekend’s run in Asheville, a policy that was in effect for the Austin shows.
Tickets for tonight’s show will now be honored on Friday, October 8 with tickets for Saturday’s concert valid for Saturday, October 9 and Sunday’s concert good for Sunday, October 10. Refunds will be available for ticketholders who cannot attend the new dates. An email laying out refund options will soon be sent to ticketholders.
Read a statement from Widespread Panic below:
To our Widespread Panic family:
After all this time, we were really looking forward to finally connecting with you in Austin, Texas at ACL Live this weekend. Being mindful of the concerns that COVID-19 has placed upon these events, we put plans in place to keep our fans, crew, venue staff, and band members as safe as possible while we’re together.
Despite all being vaccinated and the precautions we’ve taken, John Bell has tested positive for COVID. Unfortunately, this means that we have to postpone this weekend’s shows to support both our friend’s health and the safety of everyone involved in these events.
This weekend’s shows are being rescheduled to Friday, October 8 – Sunday, October 10. Tickets for this Friday, August 13 will be honored on Friday, October 8; Saturday, August 14 tickets will be honored on Saturday, October 9; and Sunday, August 15 tickets will be honored on Sunday, October 10. For those who can’t join us or would prefer a refund, you’ll be receiving an email with your refund options shortly.
We’re heartbroken that we can’t be with you this weekend, but we know that health & safety come first. We appreciate your support and we’ll see you soon – we promise it’ll be worth the wait.
Take a look at the message from JB:
Many thanks for all the messages of concern this afternoon after learning I tested positive for Covid. My symptoms are mild (slight fever, aches, and a bit of sinus congestion) and I am in no discomfort, apart from postponing our shows in Austin this week.
I look forward to our upcoming shows in Napa at the end of this month, and making a return to the Moody Theater in Austin, Oct. 8, 9, and 10.
Thanks again for the well wishes and I echo them back to you with all my Heart.
Love, JB
Widespread Panic kick off a three-night stand at Oxbow RiverStage in Napa, California on August 27.
