Widespread Panic Celebrates 25th Anniversary in Athens

When jam titans Widespread Panic opened last night’s hometown show in Athens with For What It’s Worth, fans immediately started speculating about what would follow as the group opened its first show ever with the Buffalo Springfield song back on February 6th, 1986. WSP originals Sleepy Monkey and Chilly Water followed, just as they did that night in 1986, but once the relatively new Saint Ex came next, it was clear they wouldn’t play the exact same setlist from show #1.

[via Widespread Panic’s Facebook]

Despite the inclusion of a few newer songs, Widespread Panic still dug deep in presenting two songs they hadn’t performed since 1988 and one they hadn’t played since 2001. Besides For What It’s Worth, the other 2,000+ show bust out was a cover of Fire On The Mountain by the Grateful Dead that sent the crowd into hysterics. Longtime collaborators John Keane and Anne Richmond Boston joined the band for You’ll Be Fine (dusted off for the first time since 2001) and The Cruel Thing. In the second set, sax wiz Randall Bramblett lent his skills to Goin’ Out West, Arlene and a fiery jam that led into drums before giving way to the Fire bust out.

Set 1: For What It’s Worth, Sleepy Monkey, Chilly Water, Saint Ex, One Arm Steve > Mr Soul, You’ll Be Fine*, The Cruel Thing**, Holden Oversoul, Contentment Blues, Bowlegged Woman

Set 2: Pigeons > Jack, Proving Ground > Goin’ Out West*** > Arlene*** > Jam*** > Drums > Fire On The Mountain, Space Wrangler, Coconut > Knocking ‘Round the Zoo
Encore: Greta > Heaven

Notes * w/ John Keane on pedal steel and Anne Richmond Boston on vocals
** w/ John Keane on acoustic guitar and Anne Richmond Boston on vocals
*** w/ Randall Bramblett on sax
Last “For What It’s Worth” 11/17/88 (LTP 2308 shows)
Last “You’ll Be Fine” 1/12/01 (LTP 650 shows)
Last “Fire On The Mountain” 10/02/88 (LTP 2326 shows)
Bowlegged Woman with “Highway to Heaven’ rap

[via PanicStream.com]

Widespread Panic returns to the Classic Center tonight and you can listen to the action unfold via a free audio webcast at LiveWidespreadPanic.com.