PHOTOS: Widespread Panic @ THE BJCC – Birmingham, AL – 2.17.18

For about 30 years now Widespread Panic have been playing all types of venues in Birmingham ranging from dive bars to amphitheaters. During that time they have amassed quite the following that includes a vast variety of characters. At a Panic show the “scene” is just about as entertaining as the actual show. This past weekend at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena was no different. They returned for a two night run which happens to be the only stops that the band will make this month. Over the past few years they have been scaling back the number of shows they play each year. This doesn’t show while on stage because the band sounds as tight as ever.

With the shortened tour schedule the band have chosen larger venues and to raise ticket prices but with that comes more bang for your buck than you would get from any other touring act. The two shows consisted of 4 sets, 2 encores, 56 songs and each show lasted 4 hours. I don’t know if any band formed in the last 15 years that come close to that.

The two shows also featured quite a variety of some of their old originals as well as some of their new ones. They also featured some timeless covers that are always a big fan favorite. Covers like No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature by The Guess Who and Lawyers, Guns and Money by Warren Zevon got the biggest reaction but Saturday’s encore, that featured a Cat Stevens (Trouble), Tom Petty (Honey Bee) and Neil Young (Rockin’ in the Free World) covers, is what blew me away. Each song ramping up in tempo and electricity and capped off the weekend on a high note.

For a lot of people going to a WSP show is like going to a reunion of friends that you typically only see at Widespread shows. These shows have the ability to lure you from hundreds of miles away just for a few days because not only does the music call but so does the camaraderie. I understand that their music might be an acquired taste but if you are a fan of live music, then do what you can to go to a show, you will not be disappointed. Check out Widespread Panic’s upcoming shows here.

Set List From Both Birmingham Shows at the BJCC (via WSP Facebook):

Feb. 16, 2018 (Download: http://bit.ly/2sF9wQO)