Review: Widespread Panic @ Radio City

Of the new material, Saint Ex and True to My Nature blurred into the setlist in relative obscurity, but the apropos Jaded Tourist – a new song that I thought for sure would open the show given its easy relevance to New York City – stood out as a second set highlight with its festive dixieland feel. I think this the best track on Dirty Side Down.

To say Panic came out with guns blazing to open the second set would be false, but perhaps with pistols loaded. A familiar Diner got finally got the crowd a primed before the show’s ultimate highlight.

As the band wound down Impossible, a stage hand wheeled out an upright case adorned with a skull and crossbones, which meant one thing: DJ Logic. As Sunny Ortiz and Todd Nance built their percussive improvisation to booty shaking heights, Logic injected the crowd with a much needed sugar buzz and ultimately turned the place electric. Staying on for Love Tractor, Bust It Big, and Arleen, Logic didn’t exactly steal the show, but for all intents and purposes, he saved it.

From Drums on, they felt more inspired and the crowd reciprocated, wrapping the second set on a strong note with I’m Not Alone and Solid Rock, before returning for a quickie encore of Henry Parsons Died, presumably due to the fact that it was about five minutes to midnight.

The show ended with a catharsis stemming from the feeling that they pulled it together and salvaged a decent show. Something just felt off early on – with the poor attendance and lack of excitement in the seats – but all-in, Widespread Panic put it together for a nice second set. It’s no secret that the northeast is not the best place to see Widespread Panic, but there’s no shortage of true fans around and they’ve played some great shows in NYC over the years.

Frankly, Radio City probably wasn’t the right venue for them this time through, especially in the summer. With so many free and outdoor options to see great music in NYC, spending sixty dollars to go to Radio City seemed a little foolish, which was probably the root of the issue. Nevertheless, this show had its moments. This performance won’t live on forever as anyone’s all-time favorite, but with a knockout sit-in from DJ Logic and a top-notch Airplane, Widespread Panic turned out a good time, as they always do.

Set 1: Heroes > Pleas > Imitation Leather Shoes, True To My Nature, Angels On High, Airplane > Pilgrims, St Ex, Protein Drink > Sewing Machine

Set 2:  Flicker > Diner > Stop Breaking Down Blues, Jaded Tourist > Impossible > Drums* > Love Tractor* > Bust It Big* > Arleen* > I’m Not Alone, Solid Rock

Encore:  Henry Parsons Died

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5 Responses

  1. The usual excitement was for sure lacking. I was in a row with a great group who kept the energy going. Logic saved that show for me. That was the best drumz that I can remember. Maybe an outdoor venue would have been better. Thanks for the review.

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