Photo Credit: Josh Timmermans
Widespread Panic have unveiled its latest example of studio work. Without warning or a known intent to follow up on their June 7 released set, Snake Oil King, the band dropped a single, “Blue Carousel,” across streaming platforms, acknowledging the move with a simple post on social media accompanied by the hashtag #LoveAndJoy, a suspected reference point between John “JoJo” Hermann and Michael Houser.
“Blue Carousel” initially debuted in a live setting during the latter date of Widespread Panic’s two-night stand at Live Oak Bank Pavilion in Wilmington, N.C., on Sept. 15-16, 2023. Notably, over the course of two concerts, they used their set lists to work through the alphabet. After A-Z, they used the remaining frame to spell out T-O-U-G-H S-H-I-T, followed by an encore which formulated B-Y-E–ultimately, taking the last B as a marker for the debut, “Blue Carousel.”
The tune’s 2023 full-band debut occurred after Hermann performed it live at solo shows and on a 2020 episode of his web series Shut Up and Play. “Blue Carousel” dates back to Houser, who initiated the number before it was picked up and completed by Hermann–a real-life emulation of the round and round of the carnival machine and the band’s multi-generational treatment of their latest deliverable.
“Blue Carousel” arrives on what would have been night one of Widespread Panic’s Asheville, N.C., run, July 25. The run was ultimately canceled after they shared the news that lauded member and guitar great Jimmy Herring was diagnosed with stage one tonsil cancer. The message appeared earlier this week, denoting the scheduling change and hope for a healthy recovery. Read more.
Listen to “Blue Carousel” below.
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