Widespread Panic returned to Red Rocks for their 59th, 60th, and 61st shows last weekend and, after a solid outing on Friday night, the band returned to celebrate the big six-oh on Saturday with a blistering three set affair that showcased some gems from their vast catalog.
Ah, another Sunday afternoon on the The Rocks with Widespread Panic. After two great nights under the stars, the band’s Sunday show to wrap up the run has become a fixture on the Red Rocks summer schedule. The show brings out longtime fans who aren’t up for a late night anymore, families exposing their kids to Panic for the first time, and of course those who would “never miss a Sunday show” – for good reason.
On Friday, Red Rocks was a familiar scene of roving vendors and tailgate parties as the anticipation in the crowd built for Widespread Panic to kick off their annual three night run on our hallowed home court. The evening started with John Bell (JB) saying a few words about the Special Olympics before the four Colorado athletes competing this summer in Los Angeles were introduced on stage as torchbearers displayed the flame which was making it’s way through Colorado enroute to Los Angeles where the games will open on July 25th.
It was quiet at The Bluebird Theatre last Thursday night when Jerry Joseph & Wally Ingram were on the bill, but it was far from dead. Walking in to the sparsely attended show gave us the feeling of crashing a private party. Everyone seemed to know each other and there was a looseness and intimacy to the entire evening both onstage and off. Throughout the evening the duo focused on a stripped down and raw sound that seemed to come straight from the gut.