Widespread Panic Welcomes Carrot Top & Karl Denson In Las Vegas

The first leg of Widespread Panic’s Spring Tour continued last night at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Panic was joined by two frequent collaborators at points during Friday night’s first of two consecutive shows in Sin City.

[Photo by @WidespreadPanic]

The sit-in action started towards the end of the second set when Karl Denson added sax to “Angels On High.” Denson stuck around for a cover of Talking Heads’ “Life During Wartime” that ended the second set and also saw contributions from comedian Carrot Top on percussion. Karl D. returned to the stage with Widespread Panic for the Georgia rockers’ three-song encore of “Pickin’ Up The Pieces,” “Vampire Blues” and “Chainsaw City.” Carrot Top re-emerged for the “Chainsaw City” finale as well.

Denson, who opened the show with his Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe outfit, first sat-in with Widespread Panic way back in 2000 and last night was his 12th appearance with the band. Karl D. has been a regular at Panic Vegas runs at the Hard Rock with Friday night’s guest spot marking his fourth with the group at the venue since 2010. Carrot Top’s history with Widespread Panic goes back even further. The Panic-loving comedian first appeared with the group way back in 1997 as last night marked his 20th sit-in with John Bell & Co. Each of Carrot Top’s last five guest spots with the group took place in Las Vegas.

Widespread Panic returns to The Joint tonight.

Setlist (via PanicStream.com)

Set One: Sell, Sell > And It Stoned Me, Give, Can’t Get High, Cotton Was King, Disco > Diner > Rock, Ain’t Life Grand* (68 mins)

Set Two: Junior > Stop Breakin’ Down Blues > Party At Your Mama’s House (That Thang) > JAM > Bear’s Gone Fishin’ > Papa’s Home > Drumz > Angels On High^, Life During Wartime^** (70 mins)

Encore: Pickin’ Up The Pieces^, Vampire Blues^, Chainsaw City^** (20 mins)

Notes: * JB on tiny guitar, ^ w/ Karl Denson on sax, **Carrot Top on percussion