Florida Funk: Widespread Panic Busts Out The Meters Cover In St. Augustine

Widespread Panic staged a three-show stand last weekend at St. Augustine Amphitheatre in St. Augustine, Florida, with guitarist Nick Johnson filling in for Jimmy Herring while he receives treatment for throat cancer. Saturday’s middle show of the run featured the first WSP performance of The Meters’ “Just Kissed My Baby” since 2016.

Widespread Panic busted out “Just Kissed My Baby” about halfway through the first set. Between 1991 and 2002, the song from The Meters’ 1974 album Rejuvenation was played regularly by WSP, but went the rarity route through its appearance on May 1, 2016. The St. Augustine attempt at the funky favorite was the band’s first in 341 shows.

Sunday’s finale in Florida also featured a cover bust out, though not nearly as long between plays. Night three’s encore began with Pops Staples’ “Hope in a Hopeless World,” which had been absent from Widespread Panic setlists since December 31, 2023.

The next tour dates on Widespread Panic’s schedule are slated for April 17 and 18 at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham, Alabama. Watch “Just Kissed My Baby” from this weekend’s concert in St. Augustine below: