On the heels of the post-Jimmy Herring resurgence (see Mountain Jam story), Widespread Panic took their polished and professional bad-ass jam band show to Madison Square Garden’s The Theatre to party with New York City area Widespread fans.


Looking back at the set list, its easy to say its not terribly impressive, but the veracity and crispness of the band’s playing and the stage visuals were remarkable.


The band was “supertight”.


Although Widespread could have certainly sold out the big brother MSG arena, the intimate Theatre presentation with its general admission stage front dance floor (see pic below) was perfectly suited for enhancing the band’s subtle madness (often lost in big swirling venues).

When the Garden opened in 1968, the theater was known as the Felt Forum, in honor of then- president Irving Felt. In the early 1990s, at the behest of then-owner Paramount Communications, the theater was renamed the Paramount after the Paramount Theatre in Times Square had been converted to an office tower. The theater received its next name, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, in the mid-90s, after Viacom bought Paramount and sold the MSG properties. 


In 2007, the theater was renamed the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, due to a naming rights deal with Washington Mutual. After Washington Mutual’s failure in 2009, the name reverted to The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Like other bands, Widespread offers a great service to download soundboard direct audio from their website.


In the first set, “Love Tractor” was memorable for me, as it is a quintessential Widespread tune that demonstrates its diverse instrumentation and rock/funk mix.


The second set was highlighted by another Widespread regular, “Pilgrims” which increases with intensity until a dense upbeat guitar climax bursts the whole song open.  


Although on my Santa Wishlist…”Climb to Safety” and “Let’s Get The Show on the Road” two other great Widespread songs that use this formula were not played on this night.  Gives me something to look forward to next time.


On another note, I really like the new song “Sewing Machine” but just hate the title and word.  It’s awkward and makes me feel uncomfortable in a rock song.

The big hairy sound that Widespread creates is unlike any other band today.  It (yes a singular unit) has its own mix of jam/rock/funk band elements that no one else can claim.  It’s very satisfying to see a band that comfortable in their own shoes.  This show reminded me of The Dead in many ways.


And BTW…John Bell’s voice seems to be getting better (if that’s possible).


TBR Ramble Tip:  If you are entertaining or just looking for a super convenient place to hangout before/after a MSG show…the New Yorker Hotel room 2644 has a balcony perched above the Garden that holds 30 people at a price that is a no brainer.