10/26/16 Widespread Panic @ Stephens Auditorium - Ames, IA

I saw this show the week after the Phish Nashville run.  I graduated from Iowa State University in August 2006.  This was the de facto 10 year reunion.  There aren't that many people that I still care about that live in Ames.  However, seeing some of this Widespread Panic show with Josh Tanke made the experience for me.  We enjoyed a lot of good times out there.  I picked up our buddy Nate in Coralville on the way and we met Josh at the show.  Also, I was glad to see Jesse and Luther Danneman and was able to offer my thoughts abouts Anna who recently passed away.  The Dannemans were good to me when I lived in Ames.  I worked a full day at IFSI and we barely made it to Stephens Auditorium in time for the show.  A blustery, overcast day made way for a chilly autumnal evening. I was sixth row on the Dave Schools side.  I should have bought the poster.  Upon arrival the guy next to me recognized me.  It was Brent a longtime fan who I met at Harmony Park 7/4/01.  I was impressed with his memory. 


The opening pair of instrumentals got the show going well.  This was a fairly old school first set and had several farming references which is to be expected at Iowa State University.  Glory is a track off Bombs and Butterflies I've always liked.  Aunt Avis reminded me of seeing Vic Chestnutt at the M-Shop in Ames.  I like that now with Jimmy Herring they play No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature a little more true to the original with the intro.  I saw a lot of the usual Iowa faces at setbreak out on the patio which was watched by police.  I liked that the PA music at setbreak included The Five Stairsteps "Ooh Child". 


It was an older crowd that's for sure.  With Widespread Panic going into semi-retirement this figured to be the final show at this great venue on our campus.  It was sad to think about that but my time has passed out there anyways.  I didn't see all that many people I knew.  Weight of the World and Pleas had great energy.  This show had a pretty nasty post Drums segment of Honky Red and the Vic Chestnutt Protein Drink/Sewing Machine.   "Momma makes my cape on a sewing machine".  Perfect for this pre-Halloween affair.  Let's Get the Show on the Road was appropriate with me heading back to the Illinois right after the show.  They generously kept the theme of Black Sabbath covers going with the debut of Warning.  Postshow music was Joe Walsh "Rocky Mountain Way" with the band heading west to Colorado.  This show wasn't mind blowing but it was a professional performance from a band that meant a lot to me when I was going to college.  Nate and I had a good time seeing Josh.  Panic may not be my favorite band anymore but John Bell will always worth the price of admission.