Widespread Panic Returns to Nation’s Capitol, Dropping Bombs & Taking Names
Article and photographs by Jeff Fernandez
Widespread Panic returned to the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, this past weekend (March 15-16-17) for three incredible nights of music. First thing noticeably missing was the huge projection screen that since 2013 has been part of the stage lights in some form or fashion. Word on the street is that it was time for change and the crutch (screen) was being removed. Back to the basics seemed to be the underlying theme for the weekend.
FRIDAY
Day one, an “old school” setlist surfaced, and the crowd couldn’t have been happier. Opening up with the instrumental “A of D” would set the tone for the night. Jimmy Herring melted faces from the start of day one all the way to the encore on day three. I have never seen so much energy coming from Herring’s guitar. John Bell and Dave Schools were full of smiles and were jamming like never before. First-set highlights included “Tall Boy,” “Greta” and “Send Your Mind,” ending the first set with a stellar “One Armed Steve.”
The second set opened with a smokin’ “Big Wooly Mammoth,” setting the tempo for the rest of the evening. The “Driving Song” sandwich that contained “Tickle the Truth,” “Papa’s Home” and “Climb to Safety” really tore the roof off.
JB ended the night with this encore: “Expiration Day > Protein Drink > Sewing Machine.” It was a solid night one full of energy, although one notation: no “Drums.”
[03/15/19 1: A of D, Tall Boy, Bear’s Gone Fishin’, Weak Brain, Narrow Mind, Greta > Jam > Better Off, Send Your Mind, Walkin’ (For Your Love), One Arm Steve; 2: Big Wooly Mammoth, Walk On, All Time Low, Cotton Was King, Honky Red > Driving Song > Tickle the Truth > Papa’s Home > Climb To Safety > Jam > Driving Song > Breathing Slow, Tail Dragger; E: Expiration Day, Protein Drink > Sewing Machine]
SATURDAY
After delivering the “old school” setlist night one, Widespread Panic continued the trend of back-to-the-beginning and opened with another instrumental: “The Take Out” into a sweet rendition of “Porch Song.” First set highlights were “Airplane,” “Sleeping Man,” and JB and his “tiny guitar” for crowd favorite “Ain’t Life Grand” to end the set.
Second set opened with a “Proving Ground > Impossible > Proving Ground” sammy to get the crowd back in the game. This night we would get “Drums,” and Sunny Ortiz and Duane Trucks delivered, as always. Second set highlights: “Picking Up The Pieces,” “Diner,” “Surprise Valley,” and “I’m Not Alone.” For the encore, they chose Jerry Joseph’s “North” into a smokin’ hot “And It Stoned Me,” sending the fans home full of happiness and love.
[03/16/19 1: The Take Out > Porch Song, Can’t Get High, Holden Oversoul > Old Neighborhood, Airplane > Rebirtha, Sleeping Man > Ain’t Life Grand;2: Proving Ground > Impossible > Proving Ground, Pickin’ Up The Pieces > Diner > Junior, Surprise Valley > Drums > Cease Fire > I’m Not Alone > Love Tractor; E: North, And It Stoned Me]
SUNDAY St. Patrick’s Day
Day three in the nation’s capitol coinciding with the a festive day of Celebration world wide would set the stage for the our favorite six-headed monster to take us to the promised land. Opening with yet another instrumental and favorite — “Disco” and the message was sent: Hold on tight; it’s time to rock!
“Rock” was, in fact, the second song into a lovely “Sleepy Monkey.” First set highlights included “Trouble” and “Bastards in Bubbles,” closing out the first set with “Pigeons.”
Second set. WSP returned to the stage, opening up with a very strong “Imitation Leather Shoes,” getting everyone back into the groove of things, and greatness was ahead with some heavy hitters on the horizon. “Bust It Big > Blight > Tie Your Shoes” had the entire room filled with energy and big smiles. They ended the second set with an incredible rendition of David Bromberg’s “Sharon.”
JB sent everyone home with a two-song encore: “May Your Glass Be Filled > Honey Bee.”
[03/17/19 1: Disco > Rock, Sleepy Monkey, Space Wrangler, Second Skin > Help Me Somebody, Trouble, Bastards In Bubbles, Pigeons; 2: Imitation Leather Shoes, Goodpeople > Bust It Big > Blight > Tie Your Shoes > Jack, Sell Sell > Sharon; E: May Your Glass Be Filled, Honey Bee]
Widespread Panic, Paul Hoffman and crew are on FIRE and delivering the HEAT each and every night, well worth the price of admission. Up next: The historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York.
See YOU THERE…
