Widespread Panic returns to Birmingham for two nights of Musical Magic
After an eight-year break, Widespread Panic returned to Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham, the magic city, for two nights of good ol’ “rock and roll” in the midst of their 40th anniversary tour. [All photos are from Saturday.]
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
With temps outside in the upper 80s, the crowd was ready, and Widespread Panic delivered a solid old-school first set with “The Take Out” opener into “Radio Child.” Then Dave Schools Zone would lead us with his heavy-duty bass into “Machine > Barstools and Dreamers” with Duane Trucks bombing the drums and Sunny Ortiz’s percussions driving the beats throughout. Next, John Bell would take us through an ever-so-lovely “C. Brown,” and JoJo Hermann would sammy us up with “Goodpeople > Dark Bar > Goodpeople” into “Little by Little > Blackout Blues,” ending set one.
After intermission, WSP returned for set two, and the magic returned as well. JB kicked off set two with “Contentment Blues” into “Diner,” with JB rapping, with the 9000+ in attendance returning the love for every second of the song. Next, Dave Schools and his bass bombs and even a “Roll Tide” during “Love Tractor.” Jojo took the helm with “Visiting Day” into another crowd favorite: “Blight > You Got Yours > We Walk Each Other Home.” JoJo took over for “Ride Me High > Climb to Safety.”
Encore: “Down > Mr. Soul.” Day one in the books
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Day two: wowza, well, with rain in the forecast, most everyone was prepared for a little rain, but we were all in for a big surprise from not only Mother Nature but also our favorite musicians from Athens, Georgia, who would once again leave us with another barnburner in Birmingham, or, should I say, a soaking wet incredible reward for all never to forget.
JB and the band took the stage and fired up right into an ever-so-appropriate and longtime favorite “Henry Parsons Died,” and we all were off and getting down. Next up: “Walkin (For Your Love) > Shut Up and Drive,” and the rain started right as we heard the next song begin; “Tie Your Shoes, everyone is ecstatic, dancing, singing, rain is getting harder, so is the song, it’s really crazy fun as most of us have rain jackets but not all, plenty of brave souls shirtless. About halfway through, the band was forced to take a break in the middle of TYS as the rain was getting on stage.
Weather delay, and it rained hard for the next 30–45 minutes. This new beautiful outdoor venue does not have any overhangs or cover to take shelter from rain. Wherever you were, there was rain, but after a 48-minute delay and the best crew ever, Widespread Panic rewarded everyone with another one that will be added to Birmingham’s list of smoking hot shows.
Finishing up “Tie Your Shoes > Sleepy Monkey (62 shows LTP)” into JoJo Hermann and “Big Wooly Mammoth,” and now the true definition of a bustout: “Lowrider (792 LTP).” Thank You! Next up: “Pigeons > Let’s Get the Show On the Road > Pleas” into a smoking “Hatfield > Impossible > I Walk on Guilded Splinters > Free Somehow” and finally “Halloween Face.” 105 minutes set, but more and more coming!
Encore: “Bowlegged Woman > Chilly Water” and “Disco > Red Hot Mama” and a closing “Porch Song.”
That’s it. Signed, Sealed, and Delivered. Thank You Widespread Panic, Nick Johnson, The Crews, Bandit Lites, and all the people of the magic city, Birmingham, Alabama. Thanks as well to Everyday Companion and PanicStream!
Next stop: Jazz Fest April 30
