Widespread Panic Reunites With Jerry Joseph At Chicago Theatre Finale

Widespread Panic wrapped their first visit to Chicago since 2021 on Saturday with their third of three consecutive concerts at the Chicago Theatre. The band reunited with longtime collaborator Jerry Joseph for the last two songs of their first set.

The iconic jam sextet started the night with their first cover of Michael Stanley’s “Let’s Get The Show On The Road” since March 5, 2023 — a gap of 61 shows. Panic followed with “Ain’t Life Grand” and then strung together “Little Kin,” “Trashy,” “Pleas,” “Diner” and “Wondering.”

Dave Schools stepped to the mic and introduced the “Right Reverend Jerry Joseph” as “one of our oldest and dearest friends.” He remarked that Joseph brought Widespread Panic to Chicago to play with his band Little Women “a long time ago.”

Jerry Joseph emerged with his guitar to guest on two rousing rockers he wrote that Widespread Panic has often performed. Joseph and John Bell dueted on “Chainsaw City” before the pair traded verses on “North” to put an exclamation point on the set.

Widespread Panic chose “Jack” to open their final set in Chicago. From there, “Bear’s Gone Fishin'” gave way to “Tie Your Shoes,” which led into “Hatfield.” The band then lit into “Dyin’ Man” to complete the seamless, four-song segment.

Next up was a standalone “None Of Us Are Free,” the only cover of the set. Panic last performed the Solomon Burke tune back on August 27, 2022. Panic followed by linking originals “Cease Fire,” “Jamais Vu,” “King Baby” and “Love Tractor” to end the frame.

John Bell addressed the audience when Widespread Panic returned for the encore and thanked Jerry Joseph and Billy Strings for their guest spots in Chicago. “Thank you, Chicago. You fucking rule!” Schools added.

Panic offered “Travelin’ Man” and “The Waker,” two songs written by the late Michael Houser, to launch the encore. The band tacked on “Blue Indian” to cap the concert and three nights in Chicago.

Widespread Panic heads to Red Rocks next for their annual three-night stand at the idyllic Colorado venue. This year’s run will be held June 27 – 29.

Stream an official soundboard audio recording of Widespread Panic’s Chicago finale below via nugs.net:

Setlist (via PanicStream.com)

Set One: Let’s Get The Show On The Road, Ain’t Life Grand, Little Kin > Trashy > Pleas > Diner > Wondering, Chainsaw City*, North*

Set Two: Jack, Bear’s Gone Fishin’ > Tie Your Shoes > Hatfield > Dyin’ Man, None Of Us Are Free, Cease Fire > Jamais Vu > King Baby > Love Tractor

Encore: Travelin’ Man > The Waker, Blue Indian

* – with Jerry Joseph on guitar and vocals

Notes:

• LTP ‘Let’s Get The Show On The Road’ 3/05/23 Las Vegas (61 shows)
• ‘Highway To Heaven’ rap during ‘Diner’
• LTP ‘None Of Us Are Free’ 8/27/22 Napa (85 shows)