When you say Widespread Panic in Los Angeles these days, you might think they’re talking about Carmageddon. More like Karma-geddon as the Southern rockin’ band Widespread Panic brought the musical good karma to Los Angeles, CA on July 13 & 14. Just days before the big 405 Carmageddon shutdown, it didn’t appear the impending closure of the 405 freeway hindered the crowds from coming out the the Wiltern on Thursday night to see John Bell and the WSP boys literally shake the building. A near sell-out crowd danced the night away til just before midnight when Panic wrapped up their epic 4 hour long musical journey with a, nearly 20 minute long, 3 song, encore. WSP is touring in celebration of reaching the 25 year anniversary as a band.
You’ve got to give the Widespread Panic guys mad props for reaching the 25 year milestone. Someone once told me that musician is a job you have for 10 years before you get paid. That, along with the old adage that most bands don’t make it past the 5 year mark, and Widespread Panic has success written all over their road worn faces. Those 25 years didn’t come easy for John Bell and his band of Southern rockers. In August of 2002 founding guitarist Michael Houser died of pancreatic cancer leaving a giant musical hole in the band. After much consideration, the band pressed on carrying with them the memory of Mikey. George Howell filled the guitar spot for a few years but in 2006 was replaced by, now lead shredder, Jimmy Herring. An excellent addition to the band. Panic has announced recently that they’ll take 2012 off and have no dates planned past New Years Eve 2011/2012. Maybe they’re preparing for the end of the world or, more likely, they just need to take a load off. Go for it guys. You deserve it after 25 years of riding the roads of rock n’ roll. Take a load off and we’ll see you in 2013!
First set highlight was definitely an appearance of the title track off their most recent CD, “Dirty Side Down” and Hatfield, both receiving cheers from an approving house of Panic fans.
Second set started up and stayed that way through the 90-min venue rockin’ set. Thankfully we were in Los Angeles where everything is retrofitted for earthquakes. Anywhere else, I fear they may have literally rocked the roof off the place. The upper balcony was bouncing like a boat on a choppy sea as the elevated crowd danced to the high energy Panic set. Kicking off set two was a fantastic cover of Warren Zevon’s Lawyers, Guns and Money. The set closing Diner>Pilgrims>Fishwater>Drums>Drums and Bass>Fishwater was just what the doctor ordered to wrap up an great evening of Panic music.
One other thing that Panic is doing right these days is an amazing light show. I appreciate a light show that seamlessly joins your visual senses with the music that your listening to. Panic’s lighting team has worked that to near perfection. While there were moments where the seizure-prone might have wanted to leave the room, overall a stellar job by the guys in the booth.
Setlist from WSP LA, CA CA 7-14-11:
Set 1 From the Cradle, Mr Soul, Rock, Airplane > Stop Breakin’ Down Blues, Down, Dirty Side Down, She Caught The Katy, Hatfield, Fixin’ To Die
Set 2 Lawyers Guns & Money, Good People (w/ Dark Bar) > North, Mercy > Nobody’s Fault But Mine, Ain’t Life Grand^, Diner > Pilgrims > Fishwater > Drums > Drums and Bass > Fishwater
Encore Expiration Day > Postcard* > Proving Ground
^John Bell on mandolin
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