Widespread Panic Busts Outs David Bowie & Motörhead Covers In Las Vegas

Widespread Panic began a three-night Halloween Run at the Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Friday night. The band opened their show with a bust out cover of a David Bowie hit, and closed the evening by dusting off a song originally performed by Motörhead.

Last played 98 shows prior on February 12, 2016, Bowie’s classic “Heroes” was resurrected to start the first set in Sin City. A string of classic WSP came next as frontman John Bell led the group through takes on “Love Tractor,” “Tall Boy” and “The Last Straw” which segued into “Cotton Was King.” More favorites such as “Pickin’ Up The Pieces,” a cover of Van Morrison’s “Send Your Mind,” as well as “Pigeons” and “Holden Oversoul” rounded out the concise first set.

A well-jammed “All Time Low” opened the second set, segueing into a rendition of “Surprise Valley” that fit “Papa’s Home” within. The set opening sequence continued with Bell belting out Robert Johnson’s “Stop Breakin’ Down Blues.” The back half of the set featured “Thought Sausage,” a trio of “Saint Ex” > “Drums” > “Radio Child” and “Vacation.” Jerry Joseph’s “North” was tapped to close out set two. WSP then came back to the stage and started Friday’s encore with “Blackout Blues.” Next came “Ace Of Spades” by Motörhead, which Panic last played on December 29, 2015 (a 107 show gap) following the death of bassist Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister.

WSP performs in Las Vegas at the Park Theater again tonight and on Sunday night as well. Webcasts are being provided by nugs.tv. Watch professionally-shot video of last night’s first and second set openers – including the Bowie bust out – via nugs.tv below:

[Heroes]

[All Time Low]

Here’s audience-shot video footage of “Ace Of Spades” captured by :

Setlist (via PanicStream)

Set One: Heroes, Love Tractor, Tall Boy, The Last Straw > Cotton Was King, Pickin’ Up The Pieces, Send Your Mind, Pigeons, Holden Oversoul (58 mins)

Set Two: All Time Low > Jam > Surprise Valley > Papa’s Home > Surprise Valley > Stop Breakin’ Down Blues, Thought Sausage, Saint Ex > Drums > Radio Child, Vacation, North (92 mins)

Encore: Blackout Blues, Ace of Spades

Notes:

• Heroes David Bowie version LTP 2/12/2016 Richmond (98 shows)
• Ace of Spades LTP 12/29/2015 Atlanta (107 shows)