The Widespread Panic performance itself represented the Phoenix debut of lead guitar Jimmy Herring. He didn’t disappoint weaving his tasteful whammy bar effects in and out of such Panic warhorses as “Bear’s Gone Fishin” and “Little Lilly.”  Overall the band showed a new level of energy that was missing last go-around at the Dodge Theater where they also suffered from a muddy sound.  Here the acoustics and mix produced the type of music you could feel in your entire body.

Anybody who has seen this band knows they have their own “Panic Moment.”  That is the space and time where the whole audience rides with the band  that builds into a euphoric  crescendo or the “Panic Moment.” That happened during three moments of the show most notably on the two set closers “Goodpeople>Proving Ground”and “Chainsaw City.”   This takes us to a great attribute that Panic brings to their live show that was on full display last night:  pacing. The band used a bevy of genres and tempos that kept the audience on their toes. For instance the second set “Airplane” was the reflective slow number that works perfectly after a rock the house down take on “Papa’s Home.”

The Creamy Radio Pre-Party at Seamus McCaffrey’s along with Ear Candy Charity.

Seamus McCaffrey's Goes Creamy For the Night

The Captain Hosting Festivities

With a packed house (we'd like to thank the Seamus McCaffrey's staff for all their hard work!!!)

Dog and the Captain with a local blind child and Ear Candy's own Nate Anderson

John Bell Doing What He Does So Well At The Sound Check...