Widespread Panic came to Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, for the ninth stop on its spring 2016 tour.
Panic’s loyal following was strongly evident in a near-capacity crowd, made up of people of all ages.
The press of bodies in Soldiers and Sailors Memorial auditorium created a convection oven effect that made the main level just bearable and the upper levels stiflingly hot.
Changes are afoot in the band. Todd Nance, friend of founding member Michael Houser, has played drums with the band since 1986, but recently went on hiatus and has been replaced indefinitely by Duane Trucks.
Duane is the brother of Derek Trucks and his uncle is Allman Brothers drummer Butch Trucks. Panic guitarist Jimmy Herring is Trucks father-in-law. Trucks recorded with Panic on the recently released Street Dogs album and is a member of Hard Working Americans where he shares the stage with Panic bassist Dave Schools.
There have been a lot of changes to the band over the years. People have come and gone, but the core group remains and even with the loss of original member Todd Nance, they have managed to keep the group on point. On Wednesday, Duane Trucks fit in with barely a blip. Their music remains Widespread Panic, and Jimmy Herring, now in his 10th year with the band as lead guitarist, is technically gifted and seems to only get better.
The two sets were made up of 20 songs, with a two-song encore and included a 15-minute breakdown cover of Traffics “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys”.
You can listen to audio of the 4-20 Chattanooga Panic show at livewidespreadpanic.com