WILMINGTON — The South’s most beloved jamband, Widespread Panic, and their loyal Spreadheads descended upon downtown Wilmington’s Riverfront Park for three days over the weekend. The six-piece — guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Duane Trucks, percussionist Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, keyboardist John “JoJo” Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring — returned less than a year after helping christen the Live Nation-managed Live Oak Bank Pavilion as its first national act.
Though threatened by possible inclement weather, the show powered through, with the storm passing off in the distance, leaving the speakers, lights and fans swaying to the rhythm of sounds in a 21-song set Friday evening.
READ MORE: ‘We created monsters’: Widespread Panic percussionist talks 35 years building fanbase
“They played one of my favorite songs off of ‘Till the Medicine Takes,'” photographer Tom Dorgan of MoonFrog Media said. Dorgan was there to capture the scene for Port City Daily and the song of which he spoke was “One Arm Steve,” including the line: “Well, say hey Willy Mays / what’s in your suitcase full of wonders?”
“I found out later it was Willie Mayes’ birthday,” Dorgan said, “which I’m guessing is why they played that song.”
Also among the set were four covers, including by Bloodkin and JJ Cale.
One of the largest differences from the WSP three-night run over Mother’s Day weekend 2022 as compared to last year came in the removal of seats. The entire show was general admission, giving fans plenty of room to dance.
Below is the setlist from Friday and pictures from the show.
Friday, May 6 Setlist:
Set One
Jack
Goodpeople
Pilgrims
You Got Yours
Pickin’ Up The Pieces
One Arm Steve
Steven’s Cat
Bear’s Gone Fishin’
Love Tractor
Set Two
Henry Parsons Died (Bloodkin cover)
Who Do You Belong To? (Bloodkin cover)
Sleepy Monkey
Diner
Cease Fire
Jamais Vu (The World Has Changed)
Tie Your Shoes
Papa’s Home
Climb to Safety (Jerry Joseph cover)
Encore
Flicker
This Part of Town
Travelin’ Light (JJ Cale cover)
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