Opening Night | Trucks Still On Drums For Widespread Panic

Last night, Widespread Panic began the first leg of a two-leg Spring Tour at the Morrison Center in Boise, Idaho. Once again, Duane Trucks was on drums for the band as he has been since the start of last year’s Fall Tour. When approached for comment, the band’s reps told us there’s been no change to Trucks’s status other than “Duane is sitting in while [original Widespread Panic drummer] Todd [Nance] takes some personal time.” Panic’s performance in Boise also featured the debut of a new original.

The Georgia rockers came out of the gates with a cover, delivering the first version of Led Zeppelin’s “D’yer Maker” since the band debuted the song last Halloween. From there, the rest of the first set focused on originals from throughout the group’s lengthy career including classics “Holden Oversoul,” “One Arm Steve” and “Radio Child.” A 90+ minute second set featured a number of heavy rotation staples such as “Barstools & Dreamers,”  “Surprise Valley” and “Party At Your Mama’s House” as well as a few choice covers including JJ Cale’s “Travelin’ Light.” Both “I’m Not Alone” and “Thought Sausage” were played for the first time with Duane last night. The evening’s two-song encore began with the debut of “Street Dogs For Breakfast,” an original penned by keyboardist JoJo Hermann. JoJo had previously played the song at a few solo gigs. Widespread Panic recently laid down tracks at a North Carolina studio. It is not know whether “Street Dogs For Breakfast” was one of those tracks.

Duane Trucks has now been holding down the drum seat in the band since October. He’s played each and every Panic gig since that time. Interestingly, Todd Nance performed in public for the first time since October’s shocking announcement that he’d be taking some personal time on Wednesday night in Denver, when he sat in with The Dyrty Byrds. Widespread Panic continues Spring Tour tonight in Spokane.

Watch JoJo Hermann & Uganda Roberts perform “Street Dogs For Breakfast” in 2010 as shot by fan burnthday:

Setlist [via PanicStream)

Set One: D’yer Maker, Holden Oversoul, Up All Night, One Arm Steve, Who Do You Belong To?, I’m Not Alone > Shut Up And Drive, Lil Kin > Radio Child (63 mins)

Set Two: Thought Sausage > Barstools and Dreamers, Travelin’ Light, Blight > Surprise Valley > Drums > Surprise Valley > Party At Your Mama’s House > Stop Breakin’ Down Blues, Saint Ex, North (93 mins)

Encore: Street Dogs For Breakfast*, Blackout Blues (12 mins)

* -new original, first time played