Photo by Josh Timmermans via @widespreadpanichq on IG

“Good evening,” a grinning John Bell said to an ecstatic crowd gathered at the Mission Ballroom in Denver on June 24.

The Thursday night show not only marked Widespread Panic’s first live performance in over 15 months – their last shows being their five-night, February/March 2020 run at New York’s Beacon Theatre – but also a benefit for their favorite charity, the longstanding Tunes for Tots.

WSP opened with their trusted sing-along “Wonderin’,” before getting mean on the four-part exploration of “Goin’ Out West”> “Hatfield”> “Party At Your Mama’s House”> “Ribs And Whiskey.”

A version of Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” provided a tender moment for the assembled music fans, as the band segued nicely into “This Part of Town.”

Later, in the second half, WSP kicked things into high-gear, offering two massive jams. They opened the set with a killer “From The Cradle”> “Don’t Wanna Lose You”> “Bear’s Gone Fishin’”> “Sleepy Monkey”> “You Got Yours” segment. And after a stand-alone “There Is A Time,” they took the show home with a rocking, set-closing “B Of D”> “Surprise Valley”> “Hope In A Hopeless World”> “Surprise Valley”> “Action Man.”

“It’s a very simple thing – to get together, watch a concert,” Bell grinned before the encore. “…Y’all can give yourselves a big hand for putting instruments in the hands of many young people. It’s a good thing they can focus on, during this time and any time. But thank you very much. You’ve done a lot, just by dancing.”

Widespread Panic encored with “Vampire Blues” and “Honey Bee.”

The band will turn up the heat for fans this weekend, performing three night at Red Rocks from June 25 through 27.

Widespread Panic
June 24, 2021
Mission Ballroom

Set I: Wonderin’, Goin’ Out West> Hatfield > Party At Your Mama’s House > Ribs And Whiskey, Heart Of Gold> This Part Of Town, Visiting Day> Knockin’ Around The Zoo

Set II: From The Cradle> Don’t Wanna Lose You> Bear’s Gone Fishin’> Sleepy Monkey> You Got Yours, There Is A Time, B Of D> Surprise Valley> Hope In A Hopeless World> Surprise Valley> Action Man

Enc: Vampire Blues, Honey Bee

Notes:
Tunes for Tots Benefit
First Widespread Panic Show since March 2, 2020