I got down to The Riverside Theatre a little later than I’d hoped to last Saturday night for Widespread Panic’s second of three show in Milwaukee. Unlike the previous night’s show, I didn’t have a chance to talk to anyone near the Wharf Rat table about the soundcheck, so I walked in unaware of what gems Widespread Panic had worked out for the show. As I entered the venue the butterflies started as I wondered what tonight would bring.

Big Wooly Mammoth was a great way to start the Saturday night party in Brewtown. They jammed it into a Henry Parsons Died which gave Jimmy the perfect vehicle to stretch out his fingers early on. Because it’s a marathon, and not a race, things slowed down a moment for C. Brown, giving JB some room for storytelling in his very own special way. Where the first set took it to a new level, for me, was the Wondering>Porch Song combination as the band delivered spot-on versions of two songs that were high on my wish list.

Jimmy, JB, Todd, JoJo, Sunny and Dave then casually walked off stage to gather themselves and prepare to throw down for the second set at the completely sold out Riverside Theatre. Speaking of ticket sales, I walked through an area outside the Theatre on my way in and saw at least 20 hands in the air, each needing one or two tickets. Word has clearly spread that Panic always bring their a game to Milwaukee.

READ ON for more on night two of Widespread Panic in Milwaukee…

As good as Friday night’s show was, in Herculean fashion, it felt like Panic had already topped the previous night’s show and set two hadn’t even started. There was a “full capacity” energy to the show, I could feel it, like the crossroads of anticipation and relief. The music sparkled and popped, the solos were long and thoughtful, and the band often struck gold to give it their all for the fans and the music.

The band kicked off the second set with Time Zones. Set two included blistering performances of both Stop-Go and Driving Song as long jammy sandwiches that satisfied the groove-seeking crowd of devoted and thankful fans. Mercy featured a really nice piano solo from JoJo, while I must also commend JB’s vocals on this effort which went above and beyond. It was nice to take things down a notch for a little bit. Out of Mercy, a four minute jam developed into a blistering and punchy Imitation Leather Shoes that really got down to business.

Love Tractor was a personal highlight for me from this show. They really put some elbow grease into this performance, and I’d like to personally thank Widespread Panic for rocking me so hard. B of D has always been one of my favorite jams, so I was stoked to see it and North round out the set. Thanks should also go out to Jerry Joseph for his skillful songwriting. Thanks, Jerry! I was still calling out and hoping for Climb To Safety. I had one night to go, anything can happen…

The first song of the encore, May Your Glass Be Filled, featured JB on his grandfather’s guitar, which was a nice touch. The real gem from this night however was, for me, the No Sugar Tonight that came next. There’s just something about that song that I simply love. Since they whipped it out Saturday night it’s been replaying in my head for days. This was a brilliant performance played from the gut, and Panic sent us out into the night on a really high note.

11/21/09 Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI

1: Big Wooly Mammoth > Henry Parsons Died, C. Brown, Goodpeople > Use Me*, Crazy, The Last Straw > You Got Yours, Wondering > Porch Song

2: Time Zones > Stop-Go > Cream Puff War > Stop-Go, Mercy > Imitation Leather Shoes > Bowlegged Woman, Driving Song > Love Tractor > Drums > Jam > Driving Song, B of D, North

E: May Your Glass Be Filled > No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature

* with Ryan Bishop on percussion
[JB on his grandfather's guitar for 'May Your Glass Be Filled']

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