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WIDESPREAD PANIC
Widespread Panic rolled into the music capital of the world on their 25th anniversary tour. They started out as a small band from Athens, Georgia playing for fraternities. Now, the band sells out theaters and amphitheaters across the country. Although the 25 years has not all been peachy, they lost their guitarist and longtime friend, Mikey Houser (Panic) a few years ago to pancreatic cancer. They have a cult following that goes to hundreds of shows a year. Austin has become a place for them to come for tour openers and closers throughout the years. This year was no different they opened summer tour with a two night stand at Austin’s Moody Theater, otherwise known as ACL Live.
They opened with Driving > Disco > Driving which has become a calling for a soulful southern fried funk revival. John Bell belts out the lyrics to the songs, with his raspy, bluesy voice. Dave Schools (Bassist) makes your heart skip a beat with his six string. Jimmy Herring, who took the place of Mikey a couple of years after his death, brings long drawn out rifts that want to makes you want shake. Sonny (percussion) actually played on the first Austin City Limits and is from Waco, Texas. It does not stop there for him he plays hundreds of instruments in a night not ever missing a beat. Todd Nance (Drums) is the backbone of the band always keeping the band together. They have one of the best live shows on earth. They mixture of their own tunes along with covers they have perfected. If you have not seen them play, please go and do so, you will not be disappointed.
-Nathan
