Since Widespread Panic announced that their annual June run would return to Red Rocks in 2021 after the forced 2020 hiatus, the energy and excitement had steadily been building to a fever pitch. Tickets were really hard to come by, but those who persevered were able to secure the coveted ducats for the opening night of the run.
While the morning had dawned with bright blue skies, as the day wore on and bags were being packed for an evening on The Rocks, black clouds started rolling in from the west and sprinkles hit the windshield as our car approached Morrison. By the time we got dropped off, we had to put on our raingear but nothing could dampen spirits as hugs were exchanged and we made our way into the hollowed ground between Ship and Creation Rock.
At just a minute or two after 7, JB and crew emerged from the wings of the stage to a deafening roar that threatened to put a crack in the stone monoliths as the band slipped into “I’m Not Alone.” Despite being written more than 30 years ago, the song was an amazing choice for an opener as the lyrics fit perfectly with what we have collectively experienced over the last 16 months.
Alluding to the shutdown and his time away from playing concerts for us JB sang:
“Might sing to this, I might sing to that
If I could only sing”
Then a massive cheer erupted from the faithful when he crooned:
“I feel a little easier now
Knowing that you’re all here”
What a way to kick off a memorable evening! The band poured their hearts into favorites like “Porch Song,” “Disco,” and “Rebirtha” and fans were able to shake the cobwebs off their dancing legs and remember why we all make the trek to Red Rocks each year.
JoJo’s rollicking “Blackout Blues” set the stage for “Happy” and then a “Good People” sandwich that featured “Dark Bar” as the meat. It was tough not to smile as JB sang “We are the good people your friends told you all about” and a quick look around the amphitheater revealed many old friends exchanging hugs and high fives, but it was a massive “Pigeons” that was the highlight of the set. Do yourself a favor and check this one out! Listen Here!
After a daylight setbreak that again reinforced how nice it was to be at Red Rocks, the band returned with “Bust it Big” and boy did they ever. Everybody was getting down, and I mean everybody – right down to the security staff! A personal favorite of mine, the melodic “Little Lilly,” followed and I couldn’t help but holler along as the raindrops picked up their pace a bit and the band jammed their way into “Pilgrims” and then “Saint Ex” but it was when the opening riff of “All Time Low” that I really got a chance to bust out my big moves to another one of my favorites!
Damn, this set was just busting with energy. Another jam followed before “Jack” gave way to “Give” and somewhere in here the heavens opened and the rain started falling in sheets. There was simply no chance to stay dry as the band appropriately dropped into “May Your Glass Be Filled” and fans sipped watered down beers. The usual mass exodus did not occur and waterlogged fans continued dancing their way into the timeless “Space Wrangler” that closed out the second set as the deluge continued. We wondered if the band would return for an encore as the stage seemed soaked from my vantage point, but Panic did not disappoint and JB thanked us for sticking out the rainstorm as he strapped on his guitar and launched into the only song they could have at this point in the evening “Chilly Water.”
It was by far the wettest evening I’ve spent on The Rocks but, as we slogged our way out through the dense crowd of soggy but gleeful fans, I couldn’t help but think that after the year we’ve all had, and all sickness that’s surrounded us, we had all just been ceremoniously washed clean in one of most beautiful ways I could have imagined.
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