Fillmore Miami, Miami Beach
September 30, 2010
There are only a few times a year when a conglomerate of
dreaded hippies gather in Miami and
that is probably during the Bob Marley-inspired Caribbean
festival and the rare occasion that a jam band makes its way down to our
out-of-the-way diminutive paradise. Throw in some Southerners wearing fraternity hats and you have yourself a Widespread Panic show. The scene at the
Fillmore Miami Beach last night was typical of any Widespread Panic show -- aged
folks who look like they have seen one too many Grateful Dead shows, people
looking to score hits of nitrous oxide in the "lot," and those who came purely
to get down to some quality Southern rock.
Upon entering the theater, the smell of marijuana permeated
the humid air. Oddly enough, a security guard asked a man to stop smoking his
cigarette inside but affirmed that he was only allowed to smoke the heady green
goodness. Unfortunately Widespread Panic could never sell out the entire Fillmore,
so the seated area was partitioned off half-way by a long red curtain. It made
the theater seem smaller and more intimate and also more likely that you would
bump into another sweaty body whilst dancing, all contributing to what makes a
Widespread Panic concert unique and more enjoyable.
From previous experiences I've never known Widespread Panic
to start on time, however, they came to the stage promptly at 8:30. The band started off strong, opening with
a hearty rendition of "Give," leading into a lengthy "Visiting Day" followed by "Fishwater." Panic fans were thrilled by the start of the show but the first
set was a little dull and lackluster, besides those first few songs.
After a quick break, the band was back and ready to rock even
harder. By this time the front of the stage was packed and not a single person
was standing still. I was lucky enough to get my own personal hand-held laser
show by a man who also spent half of the concert playing air guitar. The second
set was much more impactful, playing songs such as "Rock," "Good People," and "Dyin' Man." There was a long and well played out jam from "Papa's Home" into a "Drums" solo, returning back to "Papa's Home," at which point everyone in the
crowd was flailing around like it was the last time they'd ever dance. The show
ended with a slightly disappointing encore, but it would be difficult to end on
a high note after such an exceptional second set.
Critic's Notebook
Personal Bias: This was probably my tenth Widespread Panic
show and by far, not my favorite. I would have liked them to play 'Tall Boy'
while I also enjoyed my $12 tall boy.
Random Detail: I saw enough tie-dyed shirts to satisfy my
need to see tie-dyed shirts for the rest of my life.
Overheard in the Crowd: "Who wants to hit this joint?"
Everyone in a ten foot radius replied.
Set I:
Give
Visiting Day
Fishwater
Greta
Knocking 'Round the Zoo
You Got Yours
Flicker
Jack
Walk on the Flood
Set II:
Happy
Rock
Pickin' Up the Pieces
Who Do You Belong To?
Good People
Dark Bar
Good People
Bear's Gone Fishin'
Papa's Home
Drums
Papa's Home
Dyin' Man
Christmas Katie
Radio Child
Encore:
Up All Night
North
-- Ashley Pearson
