Stand-Up Comedy Has Tripled in Size Over the Last Decade

Widespread Panic Announces Livestreams For Sold-Out 2024 Red Rocks Run

Widespread Panic fans across the globe can tune in this weekend to watch the band "Bust It Big" at Red Rocks Amphitheatre with nightly video livestreams. The band's performances from Morrison, CO on June 21st, 22nd, and 23rd will air live on streaming platform nugs.

This year's annual pilgrimage to Red Rocks will mark another record-setting sojourn for Widespread Panic as the band notches its 70th, 71st, and 72nd consecutive sold-out shows at the iconic venue. The Grateful Dead previously held the record for the most sell-outs in a row until Widespread Panic broke it in 2015, and now the band returns every summer to break its own record.

Before the men of Widespread Panic take over Red Rocks, the band will open for The Rolling Stones at Empower Field at Mile High in nearby Denver on Thursday. At nearly 40 years in, it's pretty rare for Widespread Panic to open for anybody, and the band even turned down an offer to open for The Stones back in the 1990s. As frontman John Bell explained to the New York Post at the time, "We figured we'd only get to play 45 minutes, while Stones fans were just getting to their seats and were buying beers. That wasn't our cup of tea."

While Panic shows certainly haven't gotten any shorter since the '90s, the wisdom of age has led the band to accept the shortened set time slot in accept the offer to open for one of rock's most legendary band and provide a memorable experience for fans. For many people heading out to Colorado to take part in the festivities, this also extended their Widespread Panic weekend from three to four nights. Revisit Widespread Panic's 2023 Red Rocks run with Live For Live Music's nightly coverage: FridaySaturdaySunday.

Widespread Panic kicked off its summer touring season last month with a two-night run in Memphis, TN with support (and sit-ins) by Margo Price and Paul Cauthen. After Red Rocks, the band will make a couple of highly anticipated returns, first to Asheville, NC from July 25th–27th for its first visit since 2021 and then to Boston from August 22nd–24th for the band's first Beantown shows in nine years.

Single-night and three-show pay-per-view webcast bundles for the 2024 Widespread Panic run at Red Rocks Amphitheatre are available here. [Editor's Note: Live For Live Music is a nugs affiliate. Ordering your nugs subscription or purchasing a livestream pass via the links on this page helps support our coverage of the world of live music. Thank you for reading!]

Widespread Panic Debuts Original "Small Town" During A Scorching Sunday Service At Red Rocks [Photos/Videos]

The mercury in the thermometers never crossed into triple digits, but the people standing in line from the wee hours Sunday morning at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado baked, patiently waiting for Widespread Panic to provide the spiritual nourishment of Sunday service, until finally the doors opened at 4 p.M. And the running of the tarps commenced.

WSP mixed their oldest songs and covers with their newest album, proving with their 72nd consecutive sell-out at the venue that a band can play by its own rules and still achieve longevity and continued success.

John Bell marched on stage with a notably backward Georgia Bulldogs hat and sunglasses, and in response, the audience roared with rowdy anticipation. After a tinkling tease, Widespread kick-started the Red Rocks finale with Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth", one of the first covers and songs played live in the band's earliest days.

Jimmy Herring threw down on two early solos before transferring his skillset into the subsequent "Holden Oversoul". JB was right on the money when he sang the lyrics: "Summer was all there was / We were working, breathing heat." Without stopping, the Panics grabbed the reins and galloped into "Action Man", placing the song unusually early in the setlist for a change.

Starting a fire that began from smoldering embers, the heavy and ominous sounds of "Papa's Home" reverberated in a late celebration a Father's Day. "We Walk Each Other Home", off the band's new album, Snake Oil King, trailed unexpectedly, considering it was played on Thursday during the opening set for The Rolling Stones. Some in attendance were more miffed than others, who didn't mind hearing this provocative tune once more.

The momentum accelerated during a hard-hitting "Junior" until mellowing out into a treasured "Vacation". The lyrics proffer a heartfelt thank you to those partners who safeguard their companions through trials and tribulations, sickness, and health. The melody capsized and washed ashore of "Small Town", the only track from WSP's newest album not yet performed live. The song's debut was beautiful and featured a saucy organ solo ("Summer days / Small town").

Also from the new album, "Little By Little" reared its head for the second time in four days after also being played Thursday night. There were mixed reactions to these repeats. If you missed Thursday's show, you were excited to hear a badass new song live, though this fanbase doesn't often take days off during runs. Finishing off the first frame, Dave Schools led the vanguard for a "Flat Foot Flewzy" finale. Breaking away from Steve Ferguson's traditional lyrics with an improvised rap section, Schools urged the crowd to show their brothers and sisters some love by "hugging it out".

After the final set break of the weekend, WSP reemerged onstage and opened the second set with another one of their early covers, Neil Young's "Don't Be Denied" ("We started a band / We played all night!"). Honoring their fallen leader, "Space Wrangler" was paired with the seventh-ever performance of "Blue Carousel". JoJo Hermann, who manned the vocal helm, has stated that the latter tune was built upon an unfinished Michael Houser melody, and this coupling was no coincidence.

Duane Trucks and Sonny Ortiz carved the path into Dr. John's voodoo ritual "I Walk On Guilded Splinters" with their drums and percussion. JB's slide, his swamp-infused vocals, and the spirited audience's participation were the highlight of the tune, but Jimmy Herring's golden guitar work and JoJo's organ were complimentary pieces of the larger puzzle.

Dave Schools hunkered down with his bass in hand, fiddling around and jamming out before segueing into an instrumental "Machine", which inevitably crossed paths with its partner-in-crime and longtime drinking buddy, "Barstools and Dreamers".  Pausing to collect themselves, WSP cracked open a jubilant "Coconuts" which begat an unbroken string of connected jams. "Saint Ex" flew through the clouds before crash landing into J.J. Cale's "Ride Me High".

Still unfinished, an ethereal "Blue Indian" kept the party going on for those still amongst the living and present before concluding the set with the second Warren Zevon cover of the weekend, "Lawyers, Guns, and Money" (How was I to know / she was with the Russians too?!?"). Many anticipated a "Werewolves of London" considering the massive full moon that was creeping over the horizon, but Panic, alas, threw a curveball.

The band sauntered back on stage for the last licks. The Home Team always bats last, and WSP knocked it out of the park for a walk-off home run. JB buckled up to croon "Life As a Tree" and, in doing so, completed the performance of Snake Oil King in its entirety that had stretched over the course of the weekend.

Once up in the tree, JB befriended a friendly flock of birds like Ghost Dog, honoring them with a psychedelic flight into a penultimate "Pigeons". Last but certainly not least, WSP signed, sealed, and delivered "Postcard" to stamp 2024's Red Rocks run into the ever-growing ledger of the band's legacy.

JB said it best, "You people are nuts! / I don't ever want to leave!" with a song inspired by longtime Colorado resident and recently fallen fan, Thomas "Bear" Guenther. With 72 consecutive sell-outs at Red Rocks, the fans, band, and venue share that sentiment as they mark their calendars for next year (June 25th-27th, if my calculations are correct).

Helluva run boys and girls. Time to rest those weary legs with the hope that the memories made, laughs shared, and smiles plastered on our faces never fade. Peace, love, and Widespread Panic.

Check out select videos and a gallery of images from Widespread Panic's Red Rocks finale courtesy of photographer Brad Niederman, and watch all of Widespread Panic's Red Rocks run via nugs.Net. [Editor's Note: Live For Live Music is a nugs affiliate. Ordering your nugs subscription or purchasing a livestream pass via the links on this page helps support our coverage of the world of live music. Thank you for reading!]

Asheville's on deck with Boston waiting in the dugouts of Fenway Park. For the full tour schedule and tickets, click here.

Widespread Panic – "For What It's Worth" – 6/23/24

Widespread Panic – "Small Town" – 6/23/24[Video: Robbie Massengill]

Widespread Panic – "Papa's Home" – 6/23/24[Video: Pete Millett2]

Widespread Panic – "Don't Be Denied" – 6/23/24[Video: Pete Millett2]

Widespread Panic – "Coconut" – 6/23/24[Video: Pete Millett2]

Widespread Panic – "Lawyers, Guns, & Money" – 6/23/24[Video: Robbie Massengill]

Widespread Panic – "Life As A Tree" – 6/23/24[Video: Pete Millett2]

Setlist: Widespread PanicRed Rocks AmphitheatreMorrison, CO6/23/24

Set 1 For What It's Worth, Holden Oversoul > Action Man, Papa's Home, We Walk Each Other Home, Junior, Vacation, Small Town, Little By Little > Flat Foot Flewzy (68 mins)

Set 2 Don't Be Denied, Space Wrangler, Blue Carousel > I Walk On Guilded Splinters > Machine > Barstools and Dreamers, Coconut > Saint Ex > Ride Me High > Blue Indian, Lawyers, Guns, and Money (95 mins)

Encore Life As A Tree, Pigeons, Postcard (20 mins)

Notes – FTP 'Small Town' (New original off Snake Oil King album)

– Entire show with Edie Jackson (ASL interpreter)

Widespread Panic Debut "Small Town" At Red Rocks, Reach 72 Consecutive Sold-Out Shows At Colorado Venue

Photo Credit: Bill McAlaine

On Sunday, June 23, Widespread Panic concluded their annual Red Rocks Amphitheatre stand in Morrison, Colo.–bringing the band's venue-specific ranks to 72 consecutive sold-out shows. Prior to the final notes, the Peach State band delivered two jam-filled sets, which started and stopped with covers. Intermixed in the evening's display were seasoned and newer numbers, including pulls off the group's latest collection, Snake Oil King, and a debut performance of the final LP deliverable, "Small Town." 

Tapping into Buffalo Springfield's lauded repertoire from the get-go, Widespread Panic livened up the night on "For What It's Worth" before following up with a pairing of originals "Oversoul" into "Action Man." "Papa's House" came before Sunday's initial Snake Oil King pull, "We Walk Each Other Home." The band kept with the motif of new music, adding a live debut of "Small Town" before merging into "Little by Little" without pause. "Flat Foot Flewzy" served as the final song of the show's initial set.

Returning to the stage for the latter portion of their concert, Widespread Panic gave their rendition of Neil Young's "Don't Be Denied" before ensuing originals, including newer number/ 2023 debut, "Blue Carousel," which ran over into Dr. John's "I Walked on Guildeed Splinters," and eventually "Machine." WP paused after "Barstools and Dreamers," ultimately picking up a rare Space Wrangler number, "Coconut." Flanking "Blue Indian" were covers: J.J. Cale's "Ride Me High" and Warren Zevon's "Lawyers, Guns and Money." 

Stepping out for their final Red Rocks encore, Widespread Panic delivered Snake Oil King originator, "Life as a Tree," marking the final piece of the LP to be performed during this run–the first grouping of concerts after the set's formal release on June 21–fittingly, the onset of their Red Rocks run. Without rest, the group segued into "Pigeons" and eventually "Postcard," the last song of sold-out Red Rocks show No. 72. 

Scroll down to view last night's setlist. Widespread Panic will take a break from the stage after their Colorado dates, resuming their touring schedule with the start of their sold-out three-night Asheville, N.C. Run on June 25.

Widespread Panic 

Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, Colo. 

June 23, 2024 

Set I: For What It's Worth, Holden Oversoul > Action Man, Papa's Home, We Walk Each Other Home, Junior, Vacation, Small Town+, Little By Little > Flat Foot Flewzy (68 mins)

Set II: Don't Be Denied, Space Wrangler, Blue Carousel > I Walk On Guilded Splinters > Machine > Barstools and Dreamers, Coconut > Saint Ex > Ride Me High > Blue Indian, Lawyers, Guns, and Money (95 mins)

Enc.: Life As A Tree, Pigeons, Postcard (20 mins)

Notes: 

+ Debut, first time performed live 

Setlist via panicstream.Com.

---