Panic spreads across Birmingham for the first time in eight years [Videos]

Celebrate your 40th anniversary with a tax refund widespread panicthe band’s loyal fan base flocked to Birmingham, Alabama. coca cola amphitheater We enjoyed two nights of swampy jam rock. WSP after test drive in Huntsville Orion Amphitheater Over the past two summers, Birmingham’s patience has paid off with its first Panic show in eight years. Panic was rightly welcomed in the city where the band has been performing since 1987.

john bell He rolled up his sleeves and greeted with a modest, “Hello, everyone!” Before WSP begins with the two instrumentals of the first three songs. “The Take Out” shattered the static until it dialed in the frequency of “Radio Child.” jojo herman Jumped between the multi-layered keyboards. guns for hire, nick johnsonand captured the fort. jimmy herringThis is the 10th time he has been absent (excluding last year’s New Year’s Eve sit-in), and he looks and sounds more comfortable each time.

bassist dave school We broke into the second instrumental, playing the distorted rhythm of “Machine” with bear paws, before settling on “Barstools and Dreamers.” Jojo’s organ Sunny OrtizThe upbeat percussion of WSP dominated the sound at slower tempos, but when WSP went into double time, Nick Johnson and duane trucksDrums propelled the movement.

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JB introduced the relaxed “C. Brown” and the mellow vibe wandered into the “Goodpeople” sandwiches. JoJo dissected the song from a shadowy corner of the stage while visiting the “Dark Bar.” After finishing the jam sandwich, WSP performed two more original songs “Little by Little” and “Blackout Blues” to close out the first half.

Widespread Panic — “C Brown” — April 17, 2026

[Video: taperhead1]

WSP picks up where they left off, combining fan favorites as the greasy “Contentment Blues” saunters into “Diner.” JB’s impromptu rap was short but colorful. “She opened early to help the po-boys/She said, ‘Well, I came in a little early too/I couldn’t sleep/I dreamed, dreamed, dreamed…/Same dream/Wake up/Back again/A little sunlight shining through the hedge there/Through glass and glass letters/Sliding through and resting on my coffee cup/Get a little warmer/I gotta go before the good guys come/One more, one more, one more…”

Panic did not stop and started the old reliable engine of the “Love Tractor”. The mischievous Schools have added the energetic “Roll Tide” to their usual Yee-Haw. JoJo’s piano and vocals then come to the forefront on “Visiting Day,” and Schools sings the show’s first song not written solely by Widespread Panic, Savage. Collaboration with the deceased Vic Chestnut“Bright”.

Widespread Panic — “Diner”, “Love Tractor” — 4/17/26

[Video: taperhead1]

During the haunted organ-filled “You Got Yours,” Panic slips back into the canon. To fill the rare silence, JB joked, “And this is the perfect ‘Noosa song’ to introduce the heartfelt ‘We Walk Each Other Home.’ The extended “Up All Night” paid homage to Alabama’s neighboring states, with lyrical references to the savannah and “Georgia skies.”

Jojo took command from here, with segues connecting the rest of the songs and keeping the music flowing until the end of the set. Speedy WSP combined with Troubadour’s funky cover JJ Cale‘s set-closing cut of “Ride Me High” jerry joseph and Glenn Esparza‘s “climb to safety”.

To end the night, Widespread Panic delivered a rousing encore. First, the band paid tribute to their late drummer. tod nance “Down” has subtle hints of home; Lynyrd Skynyrd“Sweet Home Alabama.” Then some Southern men needed ol’ Neil anyway, as “Mr. Soul” closed the show as a clever nod to classic rock’s most misunderstood fake feud.

Widespread Panic returns for a second night in Birmingham tonight, April 18th. record store day. If tonight’s show is anything like the 2018 finale, it’s going to be hot. It’s best to buckle up and tie your shoes securely while riding.

Widespread Panic — “Contentment Blues” — 4/17/26

[Video: taperhead1]

Setlist: Widespread Panic | Coca-Cola Amphitheater | Birmingham, Alabama | 4/17/26

set 1: The Take Out, Radio Child, Machine > Barstools and Dreamers, C. Brown, Good People > Dark Bar > Good People, Little by Little, Blackout Blues (65 minutes)
set 2: Contentment Blues, Diner > Love Tractor, Visit Day, Bright, You Got Yours, We Walk Each Other Home, Up All Night > Ride Me High (JJ Cale) > Crime to Safety (Jerry Joseph, Glenn Esparza) (88 minutes)
encore: Down, Mr. Soul (Neil Young) (13 minutes)

Note: No Jimmy. Entire show with Nick Johnson on guitar