When Widespread Panic comes to your town for three nights, you feel lucky inside, like you hit the lottery when the odds were all stacked against you. On the way to the November 20th, 2009 Panic show last Friday, which marked the start of the three day Milwaukee run, I went over a wish list of songs, some of which would come true before it was all said and done.

I had expected a great turnout, considering the long lines for the Black Crowes just two weeks earlier, and Friday night Widespread Panic indeed packed the house at The Riverside Theatre. Panic seems to do well in Milwaukee, a city that often gets passed up by many larger acts for Chicago, Minneapolis, and sometimes Madison. Three day passes were sold out, and Saturday night was sold out completely. It was a comfortable mix of devoted fans up in the front row and standing room only pit, and I met many who had traveled pretty far to get here from places like Colorado, Alabama and St. Louis.

Panic came out with Glory>Makes Sense To Me to get things started. Glory was shelved from late 2001-2007 and brought back after a 425 show absence. This was the tenth time Glory was played since September of 2007 and the first time played this year. Earlier, when I was grabbing my credentials, someone told me Glory had been soundchecked, so it was of no shock to see it in the setlist.

READ ON for more of John’s thoughts and photos from WSP in Milwaukee…

Makes Sense To Me really got the crowd moving around as people tried to find their perfect spot for the remainder of the first set. Panic then quickly dispatched a very spirited and extremely funky Pigeons thanks to Dave Schools monster bass lines. At the end of Pigeons, the band wished drummer Todd Nance a very Happy Birthday, and the crowd even sang for him. He responded by singing Coach for the sixth time it’s been played and the first time this year. Happy Birthday, Todd!

The rest of the first set contained some very solid jams that brought many smiles all around me. Notably, the musicianship on Ride Me High>Jam>Three Candles>The Take Out was top notch, with Jimmy offering some heated and heavy guitar work. After a Holden Oversoul>Thin Air, I felt warmed up properly, and Panic walked off stage to take a few minutes and prepare for the second set. There was a buzz in the air that great things awaited us in the second set.

We were treated to Robbie Robertson’s The Shape I’m In to get set two rolling. Eventually, Panic found and stayed on familiar and secure ground for the remainder of the second set, which featured solid performances of classics such as Airplane, Papa’s Home, Heaven and Impossible. Papa’s Home allowed JB to dig deep for the joyous yet soulful and gritty tone needed to pull off the tune, which they would return to after drums to complete the sandwich. For an encore the band offered up a healthy and interestingly paired Pleas>Mr Soul for a very choice encore that lasted close to 15 minutes.

I had read a review recently that said Panic has looked tired and bored onstage lately, but to that I must say that, from my front row view, I witnessed a band very engaged with each other, their audience and the music. They currently have a great onstage energy and vibe that can help a band take a song, show, or three day run to the next level.

11/20/09 Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI

1: Glory, Makes Sense To Me, Pigeons, Coach, Stop Breakin’ Down Blues, Ride Me High > Jam > Three Candles > The Take Out, Holden Oversoul > Thin Air (Smells Like Mississippi)

2: The Shape I’m In, Walk On The Flood, This Part Of Town, Airplane > Papa’s Home > Heaven, Impossible > Drums > Jam > Papa’s Home > Chainsaw City

E: Pleas > Mr. Soul

["Happy Birthday Todd" before 'Coach']

Gallery (CLICK FOR FULL SIZED PHOTOS)