Relix - Features - 9 Classic Widespread Panic Shows (Relix Revisited)

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Features

9 Classic Widespread Panic Shows (Relix Revisited)

Back in September 2006, Daniel Gold compiled this top ten list of Widespread Panic shows. Take a look and please add your picks to the bottom…

4/8/89 Valdosta, GA
Raw and trippy before adding a keyboardist to the band, it’s a vault release waiting to happen. Second-set opener Jam > L.A. > A of D > B of D > “Impossible” is famous but the whole show is quality.

4/20/90 Murfreesboro, TN
Early setlists picked from a smaller repertoire, but this show presents a fresh remix of the band’s largest songs that would stand the test of time. Their improvisations and sonic transitions are conversational on “Holden Oversoul” > “Stop-Go” > “Love Tractor.”

1/20/96 Boulder, CO
The groundbreaking Sit’N’Ski tour was 20 quasi-acoustic shows in 10 ski towns with nightly bust-outs and fiddle. The opening “Let’s Get the Show on the Road,” “Vacation” > “Rock” smoothly sets the tone.

4/3/96 Huntsville, AL
Perhaps the hottest show of a blistering period for Panic, the music paints with dark and light intentionally toying with the dialed-in audience. The climax is dubbed-out, screaming “Arleen” with multiple references to the “Satisfied” rap.

6/24/97 Santa Fe, NM
An enchanting performance plays to Paolo Soleri’s desert architecture with a recurring reference to Four Corners power and lightening transitions through the first-set closing segment “Galleon” > “Sandbox” > “Worry” > “Four Cornered Room” > “You Got Yours.”

10/31/97 New Orleans, LA
The first holiday show of the six historic NOLAween runs, Panic covered classic rock sensationally, on top of potent performances of original songs. “Rebirtha” > “Pusherman” > Drums > “Heaven” > “Porch Song” traverses the range of autumn temperatures.

5/5/99 Myrtle Beach, SC
Firing on all cylinders with the ultimate musical precision, yet loose, a well-oiled machine produces non-stop seamless sets, turning corners left and right, shifting through tempos with teasing precision. “Chilly Water” cycles through ambient segues then floods back for the peak of the peak House of Blues run.

11/20/01 Johnson City, TN
Strong song by song with dark and dreamy segues, enthusiastic versions of later-day “New Blue” and “Old Neighborhood” are newer songs fitting in the traditional way: out on a limb, with heart and soul.

6/22/02 Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN
The most humongous show of Mike Houser’s brave and resolute farewell tour, the music is an outpouring. Prime special guests are a sidenote to the thunderous focus on the lead guitarist’s every last note.

Comments

There are 18 comments associated with this post

Hammer September 29, 2011, 17:04:22

10/31/05 at the thomas/mack for the first vegoose

Wesley Hodges September 29, 2011, 17:09:58

12/31/09 – Best WP NYE show I’ve seen by far

TheBlackMamba September 29, 2011, 17:35:17

Although recent, the Sunday Red Rocks this year, 6-26-11, all Originals set I, all Covers set II show is a crown jewel of my Panic career

Chad Walton September 29, 2011, 17:39:28

‎10/31/96 Chicagoween 10/31/99 Nolaween 98 Paris 10 Night Run 4/27/99 Jacksonville FL 5/5/99 Myrtle Beach HOB 6/2/98 San Diego CA 6/7/98 The Gorge Amp 1/2/98 Fox Theatre, Atlanta GA 10/29/00 New Orleans 6/26/2011 Sunday Funday Red Rocks CO. So many more that don’t come into my head. Thanks for Sharon!

Dgold September 29, 2011, 19:54:22

Wow! Relix asked me to write this list at a transitional time for WSP, 2006 after George McConnell left the band, when Jimmy Herring was incoming on lead guitar. Cool to see this published here now in 2011. Those are still 9 of my all-time favorite Houser era Panic shows. One thing changed: The Widespread Panic Archives program has since released 3 of the shows I listed, as official WPA live albums (!) — Valdosta 89, Huntsville 1996, and Johnson City 2001, are all available for purchase from LiveWidespreadPanic. They are stellar releases. Every live music fan who reads Relix should listen to those shows. Thanks again for running my article! D.Gold, Honest Tunes Radio

KullerPanic October 1, 2011, 12:50:10

I have to agree the 6-22-02 Bonnaroo show with The Ain’t Life Grand>Tall Boy>Testisfy>Tall Boy still brings tears to my eyes just hinking about it.
Cinco de Panic 5-5-10 was a killer show and Friday 2-11-11 in Athens and Sunday 6-26-11 at Red Rocks were both Amazing Experiences!
See Y’all in Charlotte for NYE!

O.B. October 19, 2011, 13:53:15

10/27, 28, 29/00 NOLA Halloween run
4/26, 27, 28/02 last Houser Oak Mtn run
7/19/97 Mud Island Memphis, TN
12/31/98 Fox Theater Atlanta, GA
12/3/94 State Palace Theater NOLA none of these are for the faint of heart.

zman October 19, 2011, 14:42:33

Thanks Daniel! Great job as always.

BWM October 19, 2011, 15:38:31

The two that I immediately think of when someone asks me about favorite shows have already been mentioned, 12/31/98 and 4/27/99. It just doesn’t get any better!

AbigayleMae October 19, 2011, 16:03:43

Asheville 04/08/11 and 04/09/11 were awesome, but nothing can beat being FRONT ROW both nights in Raleigh 09/23/11 and 09/24/11. Many many smiles!

Tom H. October 19, 2011, 18:40:52

Mikey’s last Oak Mnt. run (Spring 2002): 4/26, 4/27, & 4/28 were outstanding. Despite “Operation Don’t Panic” and the death of three fans, these 3 shows were simply the best sounding I have ever heard Widespread Panic perform. Also, during “Don’t Be Denied” (4/27 encore) after JB sings: “met a friend who played guitar” is the loadest collective cheer/scream, by far at a Panic show!!!!!

justin mcgee October 19, 2011, 19:41:25

As some of the post has already stated, the more recent highlights for me were the 09needates years run, the Sunday red rocks11’ with great setlist and jimmy sound taking familier forms to houser. When it comes to older shows, many great ones have been listed above, and while many fans will list the last 02oak mountain shows are often mentioned I feel the oakmoutain 01’ run was superb with bustouts like LastDance HarderTheyCome AllAlongtheWatchtower StiritUp WindCriesMary DownontheFarm and facsimile like Coconuts Postcard… I attended all the shows and has allways

justin mcgee October 19, 2011, 19:42:46

Always referred to the shows as THE HEAT!!!!!! THANKS justin

Swervn October 20, 2011, 12:56:59

United Palace on 4-4-08 second set with Warren sitting in was pretty spectacular. And I agree, Sunday Red Rocks this year was right up there. And I remember the One World Festival in Crested Butte in ’98 was a very memorable time!

Alan C October 20, 2011, 14:49:40

These are some great pics but you can’t leave out 9/7/97 Boston with Brandford. Best 1st set ever.

Sethrs November 3, 2011, 19:06:21

I think you have to put 10/28/01 New Orleans on this list. Absolutely fluid from start to finish. Don’t Be Denied middle first set, explosive Proving>Worry>Proving, Satisfied during Barstools, and Low Spark>Use Me>Low Spark.

Chuck powell May 5, 2013, 19:18:09

10-28-2000 was the best show ive seen. The lawyers guns and money was the happiest ive ever seen a crowd. Lovelight during give, Karl Densin busting out with Sharon>red hot mama, and Trouble Soul kitchen were incredible moments. 5-5-99 would be 2nd for me. Incredible versatility and double encore i did not expect!

Sean June 7, 2013, 18:14:48

As a late joiner to the game, my best show I’ve seen was Sunday Milwaukee 09. LGTSOTR opener, Avis, I’m Not Alone, Morning Dew, Pilgrims and Dream Song. It was heavy as hell, bring your tissues style Panic. Plus throw in the Conrad, Rebirtha, Solid Rock>Give, Last Dance, Walkin (with a 20 second break that I thought the walls of the Riverside were gonna crumble cause the people went nutso cheerin for the boys) Junior, Guilded and TYS. Not in that order but there were flawless transitions and I’ll never forget that night. A very monumental show for me and wsp!