Come Together: Panic in DC

Review by Erika Rasmussen
Photographs by Jeff Fernandez

This weekend saw some amazing classic throwbacks and brand new offerings when Widespread Panic hit the Capital at The Theatre at MGM National Harbor (technically in Oxon Hill, Maryland). Whether it was the songs you haven’t heard in years, such as “Come Together” and “Travelin’ Man,” or the songs you’ve never heard them break out before (“Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral,” anybody?), the boys managed to impressed everyone. Even the seasoned cynics amongst us had some really special moments this weekend.

Thursday’s highlights included that “Travelin’ Man,” which was a FTP (first time played) for Duane Trucks. We also had a nice dual offering from The Band’s repertoire in “The Shape I’m In” and “Ophelia.” The showstopper of the evening was unanimously “Come Together.” They hadn’t broken it out since 11/04/05, and this was only the song’s eighth appearance, and it’s a FTP for Duane AND Jimmy Herring. The last time they played it, George (McConnell) was the lead guitarist. My, how time flies!

03/15/18 The Theatre At MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill MD

1: Wondering, Hope In A Hopeless World, Steven’s Cat, Rebirtha > Jam > You Should Be Glad, Travelin’ Man > The Take Out > The Shape I’m In > Ophelia > Porch Song

2: Old Neighborhood > Visiting Day > Can’t Get High, Airplane > Jaded Tourist > North > Drums > Come Together > Surprise Valley

E: Radio Child, For What It’s Worth

[Last ‘Come Together’ – 11/04/05, 819 shows; Last ‘Travelin’ Man’ – 06/25/14, 221 shows]

Friday featured a much-loved “Gradle,”, not heard since NYE ’16. We also got to enjoy Steve Lopez on percussion for “Slippin’ Into Darkness”. What other band pulls their tour manager out onstage? It reminds me of promoter Bill Graham joining Grateful Dead at NYE or The Band at The Fillmore. Another gem not heard live since NYE ’16 was “This Part of Town,” which is always beautiful to me. If you didn’t know what song you were hearing after “Heroes,” that’s because it was the FTP for “Love in Vain,” a blues classic from the almighty Robert Johnson, popularized by The Rolling Stones.

03/16/18 The Theatre At MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill MD

1: Chainsaw City, Travelin’ Light, Goodpeople, Gradle, Big Wooly Mammoth > Greta > Sleepy Monkey, St. Louis, Driving Song > Disco > Driving Song

2: Slippin’ Into Darkness*, Machine > Barstools and Dreamers, This Part Of Town, Heroes, Love In Vain, Goin’ Out West > Drums > Cease Fire, Me And The Devil Blues, Pigeons

E: Henry Parsons Died, Postcard

* with Steve Lopez on percussion [Only ‘Love In Vain’]

The stars of Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day, were the second-ever “Sundown Betty” and a FTP of “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral” wedged right in between “Saint Ex” and “Love Tractor” in the encore. This night also featured an awesome “Fishwater > Red Hot Mama > Fishwater” sandwich to close second set. I don’t know about y’all, but I needed the break before the encore after that. Whew.

03/17/18 The Theatre At MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill MD

1: Tall Boy, Up All Night, Little Lilly, You Got Yours, Blue Indian, Honky Red, Thought Sausage, Bust It Big, Protein Drink > Sewing Machine

2: Rock, Sell Sell, One Kind Favor > Pilgrims, Ride Me High > Blackout Blues, Sundown Betty > Drums > Fishwater > Red Hot Mama > Fishwater

E: Saint Ex, Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral, Love Tractor

[Only ‘Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral’]

JoJo Hermann, Jimmy Herring and Duane Trucks

I talked to people at the show who have been going to see Widespread for even more than my 23 years, and I met someone at their first show. And we all had a blast. We all had our own personal highlights and moments of unbelievable joy and gratitude. And that’s why we keep on finding ways to come back.