See Widespread Panic Dust Off The Band Cover To Honor Robbie Robertson In Napa

Widespread Panic delivered the second of three concerts at Oxbow River Stage in Napa, California on Saturday. WSP dusted off The Band’s “Ophelia” in honor of the late Robbie Robertson.

Legendary The Band guitarist and primary songwriter Robbie Robertson sadly died on August 9. “Ophelia” — originally appearing on The Band’s 1975 album, Northern Lights-Southern Cross — kicked off Panic’s encore on Saturday night in Napa. WSP had not performed The Band classic since October 23, 2021, as per Everyday Companion.

Debuted on July 15, 1987, “Ophelia” is one of Widespread Panic’s oldest covers. A steady staple in the late ‘80s, the song was shelved in 1991 but made a come back on NYE 1997 and remained in the band’s repertoire until 2021, albeit played less frequently than in the band’s early days. The recent 86 show gap is the longest drought for The Band song since the ‘90s.

Watch Widespread Panic bust out “Ophelia” in honor of Robbie Robertson below:

Panic launched their show in Napa on Saturday with staple “Henry Parsons Died.” A paring of additional classics “Hatfield” and “Ribs & Whiskey” followed. The first set also saw WSP delivering a rare cover of The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” which was played for just the 18th time since debuting over ten years ago. Additionally, the first frame saw new song, “Tackle Box Hero,” which kicked off a four song seamless set-closing sequence tha included a cover of Talking Heads’ “Heaven,” instrumental “The Take Out” and set-closer “Porch Song.”

The second set got underway with another continuous segment beginning with “Driving Song” and ending with the band’s “Goodpeople” > “Dark Bar” > “Goodpeople” sandwich. Following just the fifth version of Tom Petty’s “Running Down A Dream” and a jam, WSP finished up “Driving Song” before heading into second set closer, the raucous “Chilly Water.” After the “Ophelia” bust out, Panic closed the concert with “Blue Indian.” Follow the link below to stream the complete show.

Setlist (via Everyday Companion)

Set 1: Henry Parsons Died, Hatfield > Ribs And Whiskey, Up All Night, You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Tackle Box Hero > Heaven, The Take Out > Porch Song

Set 2: Driving Song > Goodpeople > Dark Bar > Goodpeople, Halloween Face, All Time Low > Papa’s Home > Drums > Running Down A Dream > Jam > Driving Song > Chilly Water

Encore: Ophelia, Blue Indian