Widespread Panic Gives Guest-Filled, 3-Set Warfield 2000 Finale Official Live Release

Widespread Panic opened the vault for Warfield 2000 #4, the fifteenth installment of the Widespread Panic Archives Multi-Track audio series and first in over a year. The band’s July 4, 2000 concert at The Warfield in San Francisco was a legendary night featuring three sets with guest appearances by Jorma Kaukonen, Merl Saunders, Cecil “Peanut” Daniels and John Keane sprinkled throughout.

Summer 2000 was a memorable tour for the classic Widespread Panic lineup of guitarists John Bell and Michael Houser, keyboardist John “Jojo” Hermann, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz and bassist Dave Schools. Brothers Chris and Geoff Hanson went on the road with the band to capture footage for their resulting 2002 documentary, The Earth Will Swallow You, which includes scenes from backstage at The Warfield on the night featured in this new audio release.

Widespread Panic developed their Bay Area following slowly but surely as they grew from opening for Blues Traveler and Phish at The Warfield in 1991 and 1992 respectively to making their headlining debut in 1994, hosting two-night runs in 1997, expanding to three shows in 1999 and presenting the four-night stand in the summer of 2000. Each of the July 2000 concerts built to the July 4th crescendo with Keane, Daniels and Saunders each guesting as part of the first three performances.

The rare non-holiday three-set Widespread Panic show began with Keane adding pedal steel to “Old Joe” and the band tucking “Pilgrims” and “Party At Your Mama’s House” into “Driving Song.” Peanut then came out with his midi-saxophone for the jazzy “Pickin’ Up The Pieces.” Keane returned to help WSP punctuate the first set with “Blue Indian,” the song that includes the lyric that gave their latest album at the time, ‘Til The Medicine Takes, its title.

Widespread Panic launched their second set with “The Waker,” which was written and named after Michael Houser’s son. “Dyin’ Man” continued the guest-less frame ahead of a wild “Blight > Arleen > “Who Do You Belong To?” sequence. The band paired “Christmas Katie” and “Radio Child” to end the frame.

Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna co-founder Jorma Kaukonen emerged at the start of the third set for what still stands as his lone appearance with Widespread Panic. Kaukonen led the sextet through “Bowlegged Woman” and his own “Genesis.” Longtime Jerry Garcia collaborator Merle Saunders, no stranger to The Warfield, contributed piano to the two-song segment.

Panic took on Jerry Joseph’s “North” next before an outrageous +40-minute “Big Wooly Mammoth > Jam > Drums > Jam > Four Cornered Room” run gave way to “Machine.” The ensuing “Little Kin” was followed by a cover of early classic “Cream Puff War” by San Francisco’s own Grateful Dead.

After three outstanding sets, the fun wasn’t over yet. Kaukonen and Saunders returned to augment Widespread Panic on a “Chilly Water” encore that featured “One Kind Favor” within.

Stream/purchase Widespread Panic’s Warfield 2000 #4 below or soon on nugs.net:

Setlist (via EverydayCompanion.com)

Set One: Old Joe*, Driving Song > Pilgrims* > Party At Your Mama’s House > Driving Song, Pickin’ Up The Pieces**, Blue Indian*

Set Two: The Waker, Dyin’ Man, Blight > Arleen > Who Do You Belong To?, Christmas Katie > Radio Child

Set Three: Bowlegged Woman***, Genesis***, North, Big Wooly Mammoth > Jam > Drums**** > Jam > Four Cornered Room* > Machine, Little Kin > Cream Puff War

Encore: Chilly Water*** > One Kind Favor*** > Chilly Water***

• * with John Keane on pedal steel
• ** with Cecil Daniels on midi-saxophone
• *** with Jorma Kaukonen on guitar, Merl Saunders on piano
• **** with Cecil Daniels on drums