Widespread Panic wrapped up the band’s acoustic tour last week, but don’t despair! You can still join them in concert, at least virtually.
Ever since the Athens, Georgia jam band debuted in 1986, they’ve been on a constant mission to give back to their fans. The Southern Rock, Blues-Rock, Funk band has once again put their concerts and music online. And fans will find the latest concerts a different kind of musical feast.
“It’s something different we have never done before,” said lead singer and guitarist John Bell just before the tour began. “We have played in a scaled down version but in the traditional sense playing acoustically has not occurred. I’m looking forward to it.”
For a band that has built its sterling reputation through musicians that have something of a mind meld among them on stage — thus the jam band moniker –the format underscored the band’s sense of community.
“I think that the folks that come to see our shows, they groove on the unexpected,” he said. “And even more than that, they groove on watching us.”
Thus the concert footage to fill the gap while the band is on hiatus. But don’t expect the group to be gone for long. Bell said the members will use the time to recharge their musical batteries and bring Widespread Panic back with a bang.
“We are taking time off; that is a good thing to do,” said Bell. “When we go and do those that brings us back to the game with some other experiences and a fresh new approach to things.”
And as far as rumors that Widespread Panic is no more?
“No, there is no breaking up kind of thing here,” he said. “We are Widespread Panic; that’s what we are.” Find out more about Widespread Panic and check out their music via the band’s website.
Also, don’t miss these fan highlights from a recent show:
