Watch Widespread Panic Kick Off Red Rocks Run In 2011

Widespread Panic’s runs at Red Rocks are historic. The band holds the record for most consecutive sell-outs, one that won’t likely be broken. After a year without live music, Panic’s return to the iconic Colorado venue this year will be memorable to be sure. In honor of the band’s storied run, JamBase takes a look at WSP’s June 24, 2011 three-night opener for this edition of Full Show Friday.

Widespread kicked off the 2011 Red Rocks run with “Postcard,” co-penned by Thomas “Bear” Guenther by way of Telluride, Colorado after he sent John Bell a postcard touting the beauty of the renowned ski town. Sadly, Guenther passed away in 2019 but “Postcard” was always a nod to the longtime friend of the band. “Glory” followed ahead of Van Morrison’s “Send Your Mind.” Dave Schools then led the band through “Sleeping Man,” with a shoutout to Vic Chesnutt at the end. JB then shouldered an acoustic for “Dirty Side Down” before “Ribs And Whiskey” began a seamless section which included “Party At Your Mama’s House,” “Space Wrangler,” “Blackout Blues” and Jerry Joseph’s “Climb To Safety” to close the first frame.

Panic kept the segues going to kick off the second set with a slew of classics beginning with “Pigeons” and heading through “Fishwater,” and “L.A.” which found its way into “Jack.” Next, “Visiting Day,” would stand alone before another excursion that commenced with “Do What You Like” before the band got exploratory led by bassist Dave Schools. The set closing section continued with “Pleas,” a rowdy “Imitation Leather Shoes” punctuated by guitarist Jimmy Herring and “Papa’s Home” ahead of Todd Nance and Sunny Ortiz on “Drums” before a return to “Papa’s Home.” “Junior” closed out the second set. The Friday show would see a three-song encore of “This Part Of Town,” “1 x 1” and “Radio Child.”

Watch Widespread Panic kick off their 2011 Red Rocks run below via the JamBase Live Video Archive:

Panic returns to Red Rocks in June. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, May 22 at 10 a.m. MT via AXS.com (June 25, June 26, June 27).

Setlist (via Everyday Companion)

Set One: Postcard, Glory, Send Your Mind > Sleeping Man, Dirty Side Down, Ribs And Whiskey > Party At Your Mama’s House > Space Wrangler > Blackout Blues > Climb To Safety

Set Two: Pigeons > Fishwater, L.a. > Jam > Jack, Visiting Day, Do What You Like > Jam > Pleas > Imitation Leather Shoes > Papa’s Home > Drums > Papa’s Home > Junior

Encore: This Part Of Town, 1 x 1, Radio Child