Widespread Panic
Makes their Debut at Kings Theatre
Brooklyn, NY • Night 1 Recap • April 24, 2015
By Matthew C.
If getting off work an hourly early last week wasn’t sweet enough, I hopped on the Brooklyn bound Q train a new part of town. My first time to Flatbush neighborhood, I felt oddly comfortable: as if I was back in familiar territory. I was heading to see Widespread Panic. Patrons were thrilled to see the newly renovated Kings Theatre retained its charm with “memories of the ol’ neighborhood.” Before we knew it, the lights dropped. Throughout the two night stint JoJo would indeed let everyone know he was back up North for a hometown throw-down.
An always welcomed pairing “Little Kin > Travelin’ Light” got things started smoothly. With a steady groove established, the band dug deep into This Part of Town. It felt like an ode to the venue’s storied past, and as a recent New York transplant, an anthem of sorts.
Following the eloquent ballad, Panic opened the catalogue with an uplifting “Wonderin’ > Ribs & Whiskey”. As a newcomer to the working world, I have a greater appreciation for the tune and it’s new found meaning. Both songs strike with conviction as a celebration to the weekend “in a room full of strangers.”
A well placed Visiting Day led to a cover that is seeing a lot of air time with Duane Trucks on the kit. “Sell Sell Sell” packs quiet a punch and it seems the band is really enjoying performing it, perhaps more-so than ever before. “Aunt Avis” always serves as a moment of inward reflection. Like many of Vic Chesutt’s songs, allusions to life in despair and the daily struggles of life continue to have a lasting impact on the band and fanbase. With set’s end near, Aunt Avis came to a peaceful close. John Bell orchestrated a Home Team rhythm reminiscent of the very lyrics soon to follow.
“Easy chair with my boots on” didn’t bellow from the speakers as you might expect. Instead, an amazing acapella version, the likes of which I had never heard nor expected, rose from the ashes. The opening verse was performed with a trepidation of sorts before blasting off into the famed chorus. The set closing “Chilly Water” with that stellar acapella intro may have been the song of the night.
Set 2 began with a reversed theme. While each opening duo paired an upbeat tune with a classic groove. “Radio Child > Barstools and Dreamers” picked up right where we left off. “Barstools” included a heartfelt “Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again” rap by Sly & the Family Stone (first since 06/16/99, approx. 1184 shows) and this seemed one of the most energetic pieces of the night—complete unison in communication.
As John Bell eloquently led the band through the starting original numbers, “Up All Night” was next up. This song has gone through a welcomed metamorphism from it’s inception on Free Somehow, Panic’s first album with Jimmy Herring. “Lawyers, Guns, And Money” has been welcomed back to the circulating catalogue with open arms. Always short and sweet. With the meandering beginning of Proving Ground, the show was really starting to take form. Huge props to Duane for nailing this particularly difficult song.
The long anticipated “Bust It Big” followed ” Provin’ “and set up the meat of the 2nd set. The lead up to “Rosemary’s baby is a New York City” is typically the peak of Bust It Big, but not tonight. Following the standard theme of the song came a patiently executed free form jam in the key of E. Only a few minutes later would the jam take a more deliberate pace and lead straight into “Love Tractor”. Needless to say, the whole room was “bouncin’ in their seats.”
“Surprise Valley” included a dedicated, albeit short drum session before concluding and piecing together a menacing “Protein Drink > Sewing Machine”.
All together, the show had incredible flow and progression from opening note to final stanza.The band returned for a short 3 song encore, where more covers appeared. A common Talking Heads song, “City Of Dreams” led to 2 Z.Z. Top covers: “Waitin’ For The Bus > Jesus Just Left Chicago“.
Stream Night 1in Brooklyn (HERE) via Panicstream.com .
Setlist Source: Everyday Companion
| 04/24/15 Kings Theatre, Brooklyn, NY |
| 1: Little Kin > Travelin’ Light, This Part Of Town, Wondering > Ribs And Whiskey, Visiting Day, Sell Sell, Aunt Avis, Chilly Water |
| 2: Radio Child, Barstools and Dreamers > Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again > Barstools and Dreamers, Up All Night, Lawyers, Guns, And Money, Proving Ground, Bust It Big > Jam > Love Tractor, Surprise Valley > Drums > Surprise Valley, Protein Drink > Sewing Machine |
| E: City of Dreams, Waitin’ For The Bus > Jesus Just Left Chicago |
| Entire show with Duane Trucks on drums [Last ‘Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin’ – 06/19/99, 1184 shows] |