Photo: Dino Perrucci

Over the weekend, Widespread Panic turned in three nights of music at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y. Night two included the arrival of unannounced guest, Warren Haynes, who sat in on the final segment of the second set songs, including Sonny Boy Williamson’s classic “Good Morning, Little School Girl,” Tom Waits’ “Goin’ Out West, “ and the band’s own “Surprise Valley,” and “Porch Song,” During the encore, he helped his hosts cover Neil Young’s “Cortez The Killer,” which represented a bust out for WP, last played on 2019. During their third and final concert, the band interjected the latter half of the performance with a first-time cover of “Playing a Train Song,” as a nod to the late Todd Snider, bassist Dave Schools and drummer Duane Trucks’ bandmate in Hard Working Americans. 

Night three sizzled from the start, with a revved-up “Rebirtha” into “Tall Boy.” The less-frequented “Papa John Road” called back their Ball era, prior to the arrival of “Machine,” which interlocked with “Barstools and Dreamers” without pause. For their next move, the collective of sage musicians: John Bell, Jimmy Herring, Schools, JoJo Hermann, Domingo S. Ortiz and Trucks elevated the title track off their 10th studio LP, Free Somehow. Next, the mid-‘90s debut “Up All Night” was preceded by the Snake Oil King track, “Cosmic Confidante.” Before busting into set break, the group gave the crowd what they craved with “Love Tractor.”

Snake Oil King‘s sister song, “Little By Little,” set the pace for set two, and arrived ahead of a sprint through originals, “You Should Be Glad,” “This Part of Town,” and “All Time Low.” Brute.-associated “Blight” broke the trend, before a return on “I’m Not Alone” and “Tie Your Shoes.” A thoughtfully placed cover of Talking Heads’ “Heaven” came ahead of the concert debut. Before Widespread Panic took the stage for the onset of their three-night pre-Thanksgiving run, Snider’s passing was publicized on Nov. 14. 

Snider’s musical history included extensive work with Hard Working Americans, beginning in 2014. That same year, Snider, Schools and Trucks delivered their self-titled debut, cementing their chemistry as collaborators. In the days that followed Snider’s death, Schools remembered his friend on social media, including sharing lyrics to “Opening Statement” in one post. For their tribute to Snider, Widespread Panic debuted “Playing a Train Song.” Notably, during Billy Strings’ homage to the late Nashville performer, he covered the same track for the first time as well. 

Before calling with resounding accomplishments, Widespread Panic pulled out Jerry Joseph’s “Climb to Safety,” before hitting the ensuing holiday on the mark with “Pilgrims,” and the effective closer, “End of the Show.” Widespread Panic will take a break from their live schedule, performing over three nights, Dec. 29-21 at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta. The band’s New Year’s Eve concerts are sold out. 

Widespread Panic

The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, N.Y. 

Nov. 23, 2025 

Set I: Rebirtha > Tall Boy, Papa Johnny Road, Machine > Barstools and Dreamers, Free Somehow, Up All Night, Cosmic Confidante, Love Tractor (74 mins)

Set II: Little By Little, You Should Be Glad, This Part Of Town, All Time Low > Blight > I’m Not Alone > Tie Your Shoes > Heaven, Play A Train Song, Climb To Safety (76 mins)

Enc.:Pilgrims, End of the Show* (13 mins)

Notes:

* w/ JB on mandolin

– FTP ‘Play A Train Song’ (Todd Snider)

Setlist and notes via everydaycompanion.com