Mil-Wreck-Mee at the Riverside Theater: Widespread Panic
Article by Erika Rasmussen
Photographs by Jeff Fernandez
Widespread Panic opened Friday night in Milwaukee with a Tom Petty-sized bang. For the first time ever, they covered “You Wreck Me” and basically blew the lid off the joint from the get go. JB was really stretching his legs with a “Thank You (Falettin’ Me Be Mice Elf Agin)” in “Barstools” and a little mandolin pickin’ on the “Ain’t Life Grand” closer.
10/20/17 The Riverside Theater, Milwaukee
1: You Wreck Me, Weight Of The World, Machine > Barstools and Dreamers > Machine, Travelin’ Light, Visiting Day, Big Wooly Mammoth, Aunt Avis, B of D, Action Man
2: Old Neighborhood, Makes Sense To Me, You Should Be Glad, Waitin’ For The Bus > Jesus Just Left Chicago, Mercy > Jam > Bust It Big > Drums > Rock, Protein Drink > Sewing Machine
E: Honky Red, Ain’t Life Grand
[Only ‘You Wreck Me’; ‘Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin’ rap during ‘Barstools and Dreamers’]
On Saturday, everyone was treated to the rare tune of JoJo’s “Smoking Factory”, not played since ’09. Another unusual entertainment of the evening was the addition of tour manager Steve Lopez on percussion in “Slippin’”, a little touch I love and that harkens back to the days of Bill Graham’s annual on-stage involvement at New Year’s Eve. Nice to see back of house step out on stage every now and then.
10/21/17 The Riverside Theater, Milwaukee
1: A of D, Glory, You Got Yours, Hope In A Hopeless World, Dyin’ Man, Airplane > Angels on High, Papa Johnny Road, Imitation Leather Shoes
2: Flicker, Pleas > Impossible > One Kind Favor > Little Lilly, Pilgrims, Smoking Factory > Drums > Slippin’ Into Darkness > Tie Your Shoes > Jam > Climb To Safety
E: Jack > Chilly Water
[‘Dear Prudence’ tease after ‘Slippin’ Into Darkness’; Last ‘Smoking Factory’ – 11/22/09, 501 shows]
As always, “never miss a Sunday show”. While Panic opened the weekend with “You Wreck Me”, the emotion of hearing “Wish You Were Here” (not played since ’15) was made even greater by the use of the Mikey logo on backdrop during the song. If you didn’t get choked up during that, then there’s not enough Pabst in Milwaukee to fix your problems, my friend.
10/22/17 The Riverside Theater, Milwaukee
1: Bear’s Gone Fishin’ > I’m Not Alone > Driving Song > Breathing Slow, Walk On, Goodpeople > Worry, Nobody’s Loss, Walkin’ (For Your Love), Space Wrangler
2: Papa Legba > Party At Your Mama’s House > Ribs And Whiskey, Better Off, Fishwater > Ride Me High > Fishwater > Help Me Somebody, Rebirtha, E on a G, Wish You Were Here
E: Don’t Be Denied, Porch Song
[Mikey silhouette on the screen during ‘Wish You Were Here’]
Thanks as always to Everyday Companion for setlist information.
Listen to all three shows on PanicStream.